Raiders GM Hunt talks newly signed prospects

“I think there’s been a lack of urgency to sign 15-year-old players just because of the change in the landscape with the NCAA,” said Raiders General Manager Curtis Hunt. “So we signed a couple young players I thought were very impressive in camp and considering we didn’t have a first or second round pick, you got to tip your hat to the scouts and the work they did.”

The two young players Hunt is referring to are the 2011 born Mozell and Chang.

Mozell was the Raiders’ top pick of the 2026 WHL Draft, selected in the third round, 60th overall. The young forward scored twice during the rookie game at the start of the preseason against the Saskatoon Blades.

From Saskatoon, Mozell is stepping into his first season of U18 AAA with the Saskatoon Blazers. Listed at 5’9, 161lbs, Mozell posted 8G-19A-27P in 13 games of U15 AA last year.

“He had a tremendous camp highlighted by two goals in the rookie game in Saskatoon. We feel his development will lead him to become one of our captains at some point in his development. We’re excited to watch him progress this year.”

As for Chang, who is still 14-years-old until mid-November, the young defenceman is playing this season with his Burnaby Winter Club U18 Prep team in the CSSHL. In 27 games last year, he posted 9G-28A-37P from the blueline. The Raiders drafted him in the fifth round, 114th overall this past summer.

Although he didn’t register a point during that same rookie game, Chang created lots of offence with six shots on goal during the game. That tracks with what Hunt has seen from him before.

“We believe he will become a dynamic power-play defenceman in our league. He shows great poise in his youth, and we’re thrilled to have him join our family.”

Moving on to the lone goaltender the Raiders have signed, 2009-born Chase Kettles got a long look at camp this year with three games in the preseason, including a showing during that rookie game. Last year, Kettles 0.931 save percentage was the third best in Manitoba U18 AAA.

From Headingley, Manitoba, the Raiders signed Kettles to bring him closer to Prince Albert with the Battlefords North Stars. Not only does the signing of Kettles help secure the goaltending future for the Raiders, but it could also help later this season.

“Reassigned Kettles to Battleford in part of the Western Canadian development model as he is a 17-year-old and normally can’t cross borders. So I think that was a good step, it certainly worked out very good for Steele Bass last year. We assume at some point in time we’re going to lose Michal Orsulak to World Junior, so between him and Holtvogt and of course Basser, we feel we’re in real good shape in the goaltending position today and tomorrow.”

For Gavin Hamelin, the Prosper, Texas native picked up an assist during the rookie game with Saskatoon and the only game of the preseason he played. Hamelin is already seven games in his 16U AAA season where he has 4G-5A-9P with the Dallas Stars Elite program.

Born in 2010, Hamelin was the Raiders’ 22nd overall pick in the 2025 WHL US Prospects Draft.

“Gavin Hamelin’s gone back to Texas, and from what I understand with their group, they’ve got a tremendous team and have a real opportunity to make some noise throughout the season into the playoffs.

As for Sattler, he’s the lone player the Raiders signed that did not appear during a preseason game. His season has also started with Team MPLS Magazine in the Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League in Minnesota.

Sattler currently leads his team in scoring, and is one point behind the league lead, with 8G-5A-13P in the first seven games of the season. The 2009-born Eden Prairie, Minnesota native was invited to camp this year, but never drafted by the Raiders.

“He went back to play in the Minnesota Elite League. He’ll finish high school, and we hope to have him join us at the end of the season, which would be fantastic. What I understand, he’s had a terrific preseason with that Elite League.”

All of these players are not likely to play with the Raiders this season, but especially the ones playing nearby like Mozell and Kettles could potentially be called up this year.

—

nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com

by Nick Nielsen

Raiders GM Hunt talks newly signed prospects

What's Trending