Raiders overage netminder Max Hildebrand made team history on Thursday, becoming the first player to commit to an NCAA program in the club's history. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Logan Lehmann

Commitment

Hildebrand commits to Bemidji State in NCAA DI, first NCAA commitment in Raiders history

Nov 14, 2024 | 2:27 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders have announced the franchise’s first NCAA commitment.

On Thursday, the club announced that veteran goaltender Max Hildebrand has committed to play for the Bemidji State Beavers following his graduation from the WHL.

“They have a very deep history in their program, and it’s a smaller school,” said Hildebrand on his commitment.

Bemidji State is based in Minnesota and their athletics compete in NCAA Division II, but plays hockey in Division I in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The program has seen its fair share of success, having won the NCAA Div. II title five times in 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1997, along with the NCAA Div. III title in 1986. More recently, the Beavers made it to the NCAA’s Frozen Four in 2009.

“Their coaching staff reached out to me around the time the rule was about to change, and they were super interested. I think I’m going to get some good playing time there in my first year, which doesn’t always happen, and I think it’s going to be a good spot for me.”

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Hildebrand has 103 career WHL games under his belt, all of which played in the Green and Gold. Over those contests, the Martensville product has put up a 3.27 GAA and a .895 SV% with two career shutouts. The netminder currently sits ninth for games played in franchise history.

Hildebrand and the Raiders will be back in action on Friday night when they welcome back a few familiar faces to the Art Hauser Centre, facing the Tri-City Americans. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com