Raiders officially sign three players, release one

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

Raiders Head Coach Ryan McDonald said that he’s happy with what he’s seen out of Martin so far. Standing at 6’1, McDonald thinks that Martin could use his size to become a force in the WHL. 

Closing arguments Thursday

Testimony wraps up at Chubey murder trial in Melfort

20m ago

Improving relations

Canadian corporations encouraged to sign pledge for Indigenous reconciliation

27m ago

Martin, Molde, Murray

Raiders officially sign three players, release one

33m ago

“He’s a big guy in stature and, being able to use his frame and use his size and continuing to get his feet to the pace of the game, he’s done a great job. He’s continued to get better with it as we’ve continued to go through the first part of the season.” 

From Regina, Martin played last season with the Regina Pat Canadiens. 

Next is the newest edition to the Raiders, 19-year-old forward Eli Molde who the Raiders brought in last week on a tryout. The native of Plymouth, Minnesota arrived last Tuesday and played his first game as a Raider the very next night. 

Despite the Raiders losing their last two games, Molde has been a bright spot in both for the Raiders. Now that he’s situated himself with the team this year, McDonald believes Molde could be a big piece moving forward. 

“I think he’s improved every single game that he’s been with us. So he’s a guy who competes extremely hard, he skates well, he has that offensive nose to him as well too, and you’re seeing him do some really good things away from the puck on the defensive side. Those are always things you look at in players when they first get to you.” 

Before joining the Raiders, Molde was playing with the Okotoks Oilers of the BCHL and had 1G-4A-5P in four games this season. Before that, Molde was the captain for Wayzata High School for the last two seasons. 

The last player the Raiders signed this week also comes from the Okotoks Oilers, 20-year-old defenceman Jordan Murray. Just like Molde, Murray had already played two games with the Oilers and had 1G-1A-2P before arriving in Prince Albert. 

Once he arrived, Murray stepped into the lineup and right away got big minutes including time on the powerplay. Although he’s still looking for his first point as a Raider, McDonald already believes Murray is due for a goal. 

“I thought his battle level and his awareness of his battle level, how quickly it has to happen, has just continued to get better each game. His offensive side, he’s very crafty with the puck, he skates extremely well, he finds those lanes from the top, and you saw in a couple games this weekend where he’s found the goalpost and just maybe not got rewarded for some of the lanes that he’s been able to create.” 

This is Murray’s fifth season of junior hockey, and first in the WHL. The previous three years, he played in the BCHL split between the Okotoks Oilers and Cranbrook Bucks. He also played one full season in the MJHL with the Portage Terriers. 

With the signing of Murray, the Raiders have also released forward Carsyn Dyck from the team. That means the Raiders are down to their three 20-year-olds for the season between Murray, Maddix McCagherty, and Evan Smith.