Mackenze Stewart skates with the puck against Tri-City during a game with the Raiders at the Art Hauser Centre. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, - Luke Chudleigh/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

New Hire

Raiders add alumni Stewart to staff in development role

Aug 13, 2024 | 12:18 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders announced on Tuesday that they have added a familiar face to their staff ahead of the new season.

The club hired former Raiders defenceman Mackenze Stewart, who accepted a prospect development role.

“I reached out to Curtis, just offering my services and some help, wanting to get back with the Raiders,” Stewart explained in a release.

“There were a lot of positives just being a part of the organization. Coming out of professional hockey, I wanted to give back and be a helping hand and a mentor to some of the younger prospects coming up. Curtis and I connected a few weeks ago and shared some ideas about what a streamline would look like for prospects, right from the draft up to becoming a part of the team, and how we could improve that process. We want to get these players excited and motivate them to become Raiders and provide them with resources and development along the way.”

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Stewart played parts of four seasons in the WHL, three of which came in Prince Albert from 2012-15 before ending his time in the league with the Tri-City Americans in the 2015-16 season. In 2014, he was drafted in the seventh round, 186th overall, to the Vancouver Canucks and although he never suited up in the NHL, Stewart spent the remainder of his pro career in the AHL and ECHL until his retirement in 2019.

“I think the experience is big,” he said. “In terms of my own story, I wasn’t a rockstar growing up. I wasn’t drafted into the [WHL] or highly scouted or talked about before I came to camp. Having that experience and facing that adversity right away and being able to put your work boots on every day and earn a spot, that can go a long way. That develops the mindset that leads to success. How do you find ways to face adversity and come out on the other side better than the way you were before.”

“I played from the bottom of the lineup and not even playing at all to getting a lot of ice time and fortunate enough to get drafted. I’ve experienced a lot and I think that’s something I can contribute for the young guys coming up.”

The Raiders are set to begin the upcoming season at home on Sept. 4 when they host the Regina Pats.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com