Prince Albert Raiders GM Curtis Hunt made three selections in the top-seven in the WHL Prospects Draft. (Submitted Photo/Mark Peterson Media)

By Rob Mahon

First Round Recap

Raiders start draft day strong with top defensemen, set-up man, and sniper

May 11, 2023 | 11:53 AM

Holding the first and second overall pick in a draft is a huge opportunity for a WHL franchise to set itself up for years of success. Holding those picks and the seventh overall selection is an even bigger boost to a team’s future, and the Prince Albert Raiders feel they’ve boosted theirs.

Selecting defenseman Daxon Rudolph first overall, forward Riley Boychuk second, and forward Ty Meunier at seventh, the Raiders added three of the marquee 2008-born players in Western Canada to their list of prospects. All in all, it’s been a good day so far and the day is not yet over.

“When we look at the body of work of these three young men, how they play, how they compete, how they lead their teams, we’re really excited,” said Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt. “We were excited about the future of our club before the draft.”

Rudolph led off the run of Raiders’ selections, and with good reason. He was named the CSSHL’s U15 defenseman of the year after posting 50 points in 30 games with Northern Albert Xtreme Prep, followed by 12 points in five playoff games. Those 12 points included a championship-winning overtime goal.

“His ability to move pucks, his edgework, his ability to control the pace of play of the game is really second to none, we believe,” said Hunt. “Great vision, incredible release.”

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Then came Boychuk, the AEHL’s pass master of the past season. He led the league with 62 assists (ten more than the next closest player) and was named the regular season and playoff MVP, as well as the league’s top forward.

“He makes those plays that when you’re watching from the top you say, ‘Hey, don’t you wish he’d see that player?’ And he’ll find him,” said Hunt. “He’s got an elite brain for the game, he’s a competitor, and he’s certainly a climber.”

After claiming the AEHL’s top set-up man with the second pick, they got the league’s undisputed top sniper at pick number seven. Meunier scorched the league with 54 goals in 32 games, 20 more goals than the next closest player.

“This kid is a pure scorer,” said Hunt. “He always has been. He’s got a great release, but he’s a competitor. We know he protects pucks well, we know he takes it to the net. With goal scorers, you’ve got to want to score and you’ve got to want that battle, and he’s certainly that guy.”

The thought of a premier sniper taking passes from an elite set-up man down the line was enough to put a smile on Hunt’s face as well.

“You’d better be disciplined against the future Raiders,” he said. “Combined with what we’ve built to date, adding these three young men and still with a long way to go today, it looks like it’s going to be a great day to be a Raider.”

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP