Daxon Rudolph has put up impressive numbers at the U18 level this season. (Submitted photo/Daxon Rudolph)

By Nolan Kowal

Rudolph the goal-scoring defenceman

Prospect watch: Raiders top pick Rudolph excelling at U18 level

Dec 14, 2023 | 5:00 PM

There’s a very good chance you’ll see Daxon Rudolph wearing a Prince Albert Raiders jersey next season.

The big right-handed shooting defenceman and top draft pick from the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft is having a stellar season at the U18 level this year with the Northern Alberta Xtreme. The 15-year-old Rudolph has 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 19 games, which averages out to about two points per game.

“I think our team’s been putting up a lot of goals this season and we’re rolling pretty good offensively,” said the Lacombe, Alta. native. “I think from the back end our d-core has been doing a really good job of activating off the blue line and creating better chances for ourselves.”

“We’re always making the smart plays, getting the puck to our forwards when we need to, skate it when we need to, and I think when we make the play that’s there our numbers kind of revolve (around that).”

Rudolph described himself as an offensive minded defenceman.

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“I’d describe myself as an offensive defeneman who moves well, sees the ice well but still takes pride in the d-zone when we need to lock down some top lines on the other team,” he said. “Kind of just a 200-foot defenceman who creates offence.”

“There’s always stuff to work,” Rudolph continued. “My skating, like my first three strides accelerating is probably still a thing I need to work on. Just getting quicker because moving up to the next level is going to be tough. Puck protection along the walls…bigger guys at the next level so it’s going to be harder for me to win the puck battles, so I’ve just got to continue to work on that.”

One of Rudolph’s teammates on the Xtreme is forward Riley Boychuk, who was selected second overall by the Raiders in the same draft right after Rudolph.

“He’s a really good kid off the ice, and I think that speaks the most about him,” Rudolph said of Boychuk. “His on-ice is incredible obviously, he makes so many smart plays. Great 200-foot centreman who sees the ice extremely well.”

Rudolph, Boychuk, and fellow first round pick Ty Meunier are part of a deep pool of prospects for the Raiders that could make the WHL squad a force to be reckoned with in future years.

“Yeah it’s super exciting…they’re [the Raiders] having a way better year this year than last year and I think all the prospects are pretty excited for that,” Rudolph said. “All the guys there now are super excited. I think everyone’s kind of keeping track of how they’re doing, especially prospects just keeping track of how they’re doing this year and trying to stay up to date with that.”

“I think everyone’s pretty excited for the future in Prince Albert. Lots of exciting young talent and hopefully we can win a few championships.”

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com