Max Hildebrand receives the Orland Kurtenbach Most Valuable Player Presented by Lake Country Co-op. (Prince Albert Raiders/Facebook)

By Logan Lehmann

Raiders Awards

Raiders close out regular season with annual awards banquet

Mar 25, 2024 | 12:00 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders wrapped up the regular season on Sunday night as the club handed out its annual Year End Awards at the Ches Leach Lounge inside the Art Hauser Centre.

Family, friends, players, and club supporters were on hand for the event honouring the award winners and the team’s three graduating players Turner McMillen, Jacob Hoffrogge, and Sloan Stanick.

“Stan, Jacob, Turner, you guys have all come from different organizations to be with our group via trade,” said Raiders Head Coach Jeff Truitt. “It’s unbelievable – you have three gentlemen that have come into our group that have accepted our culture [and] accepted the way that we needed you to play. When you’ve come from organizations, you play a different style, you’ve been treated a little bit differently, whatever it is – everything’s a change when you get traded or get with a new team. But the three 20-year-olds we have here have contributed an awful lot.”

Raiders General Manager Curtis Hunt also said a few words, talking about the brotherhood that was created throughout the season.

“I think it’s important to note for everybody that it takes a team and in our environment, nobody has individual success without the support, care, and love from teammates. Our number one goal every year is to become a team and number two is to accomplish what we just did as we get into the postseason.”

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“That mentality of recognizing the most important person in the room who sits beside you, and the confidence in your ability as we grow together throughout a season to be able to praise that player beside you is paramount to the success we have and the opportunity that lies ahead. This mentality creates champions.”

The club’s Captain Eric Johnston also talked about this year’s team, calling them a special group.

“We have been through thick and thin, highs and lows, but we’ve always had each other’s backs. You guys made this year so special and I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group. From joking around in the room, going to cheap movie Tuesdays, poker nights, and hot tubbing, we were a team that cared and wanted the best for each other.”

The Raiders award winners were as follows:

Belle Merrell and Calla Grasley Scholastic Player of the Year: Doogan Pederson

Best Conditioned Raider: Krzysztof Macias

Lionel Diehl Memorial Hardest Working Player: Harrison Lodewyk

Best Defensive Forward: Aiden Oiring

Ches Leach Most Improved Player: Niall Crocker

Jim Neilson Most Valuable Defenceman: Justice Christensen and Terrell Goldsmith

Three Stars Awards: Third Star— Krzysztof Macias, Second Star— Max Hildebrand, First Star— Sloan Stanick

Players Choice Award: Eric Johnston

George Cowie Rookie of the Year: Oli Chenier

Humanitarian of the Year: Justice Christensen

Leading Scorer: Sloan Stanick

Fan Choice: Aiden Oiring

Orland Kurtenbach Most Valuable Player: Max Hildebrand

With the regular season in the rearview, the Raiders now focus on the playoffs as they face their rival Saskatoon Blades in the first round. Game 1 is set for Thursday night at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon with a 7 p.m. start.

Game 2 goes the following night on Friday, also in Saskatoon at 7 p.m., while Games 3 and 4 will happen on April 2 and 3 at the Art Hauser Centre also at 7 p.m.

Nolan Kowal will have the call on 900 CKBI with the pregame show starting at 6:30 each night.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com