Daxon Rudolph was the first overall pick in the WHL Prospects Draft in 2023. (Submitted Photo/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nolan Kowal

Draft and Develop

Year in Review: P.A. Raiders future bright with solid draft class

Dec 23, 2023 | 8:00 AM

As 2023 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

The future looks extremely bright for the Prince Albert Raiders after making three first-round selections in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.

The Raiders selected defenceman Daxon Rudolph first overall before drafting forwards Riley Boychuk second overall and Ty Meunier seventh overall.

“You talk about championship building, you build from the back end,” said Raiders General Manager Curtis Hunt earlier this year. “The year we won [2019], we had a group of older, mature defencemen that grew together. So that’s a key player [Rudolph]. The other two players [Boychuk and Meunier], I don’t think you can get the puck away from those guys the way they play with it.”

“Exciting day for us,” said Hunt. “Tip of the hat to our scouts, to the work they did and Bruno Zarrillo [Director of Player Personnel] throughout the year.”

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Rudolph is having an excellent season at the U18 level with the Northern Alberta Xtreme. The Lacombe, Alta. native has 37 points in 19 games. He said it’s an exciting time to be a Raiders prospect.

“It’s super exciting,” said Rudolph. “They’re having a way better year this year than last year, and I think all the prospects are pretty excited for that. All the guys there now are super excited.”

“I think everyone’s kind of keeping track of how they’re doing, especially prospects are 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.”

Meanwhile, the two 2023 import draft picks for the Raiders, Krzysztof Macias and Matej Kubiesa, have been mainstays in the Raiders lineup this season.

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com