Brad Tippett. (Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Rest In Peace

Former Raider Brad Tippett passes away

Oct 3, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A former Prince Albert Raider has passed away.

Brad Tippet died last week at the age of 64 according to the Peninsula Panthers of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) who he coached from 2016 to 2022.

He spent two seasons with the Raiders back in the 1970’s when they were part of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).

Mark Odnokon, the current skills coach for the Raiders, played with Tippett back in the day and told paNOW no one has ever loved the franchise as much as he did.

“He had so much pride in the Raider name and the Raider logo, and it didn’t matter who you were if you were associated with the Raiders he cared for you and had pride for you.”

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Tippett and his family had grown up in Prince Albert and were a huge part of the local hockey community. The city didn’t just launch his playing career, but also his coaching career as he first stepped behind the bench with the Midget Raider club that competed in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL).

He would eventually serve as the head coach for the Regina Pats for four seasons from 1989 to 1993. His next head coaching job wouldn’t be until 2016 when he joined the Panthers.

Odnokon said it would be hard to find a player he coached that didn’t respect him.

“He cared a great deal and he brought that to the rink every day.”

While the two didn’t stay in constant contact, Odnokon noted he would see Tippett from time to time on the ice as their sons played against each other.

He noted the two would catch up anytime a former teammate hosted a get-together. Odnokon added that Tippett would do anything to see his old friends.

Tippett’s legacy will live on in P.A. as he was inducted into the local Sports Hall of Fame back in 1998.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow