Redden on the Raiders: The bus heads west

While things have been going well, the U.S. trip is always a challenge with a difficult schedule combined with strong opposition, but there are plenty of storylines making the start of the trip even more interesting.

First off, we’ll see the debut of new Raider Reece Vitelli as he suits up in the Green and Gold for the first time against his former team. On the other side is long-time Raider Cole Fonstad who was moved to Everett on Sunday.

Speaking with Vitelli at a pitstop in Kamloops on Thursday, he expressed excitement at this new opportunity.

“I know they won last year and had a super strong team, number one in the CHL for most of the year,” Vitelli said. “Everyone has been treating me well, I’m super excited to join them and hopefully go for a repeat this season.”

To learn more about Vitelli, see Jeff D’Andrea’s article on the new Raider from Thursday.

Gendur returns to Everett

In addition to Vitelli, it’s a homecoming of sorts for assistant coach Dan Gendur, who played the last two years of his WHL career with the Silvertips from 2006 to 2008.

Ahead of his first appearance in Everett as a WHL head coach, Gendur said he was relishing the opportunity to return.

“Lots of fond memories here. It’s crazy how fast time goes by, but I’m excited to be back and looking forward to tomorrow night,” Gendur said.

Over two years, Gendur appeared in 108 regular season games with the ‘Tips, scoring 49 goals and adding 77 assists for 126 points. In 16 playoff games, he added five goals and 11 points.

Gendur was also a part of the lone WHL regular season championship in Silvertips history, with the team compiling a record of 54-15-1-2 in 2006-07. He was one of 10 NHL-drafted players on the roster, including four first-round picks in Zach Hamill (Boston, 8^th overall), Peter Mueller (Phoenix, 8^th overall), Kyle Beach (Chicago, 11^th overall), and Leland Irving (Calgary, 26^th overall).

Recalling those years, he said it was a fun time to be in Everett.

“A lot of it was talent, that’s for sure. But also the energy around the city. Every single Friday or Saturday there were 10,000 people in this arena, cheering us on loud, making it a very difficult place to play,” Gendur said.

You can hear more from Gendur on this week’s Overtime podcast.

Allan on Under-17 Roster

Congratulations to Raider defenceman Nolan Allan who was one of 66 players nationwide selected to represent Team Canada at the upcoming World Under-17 Challenge in Swift Current and Medicine Hat from Nov. 2 to 9.

The third-overall pick from the 2018 bantam draft is in good company with his selection, joining teammates Kaiden Guhle and Ozzy Wiesblatt who took part in the tournament last year.

Allan was named as the Top Defenceman in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League as a rookie with the Saskatoon Blazers last season, and followed up an impressive regular season by leading all players with 21 points in 13 playoff games.

So far in Prince Albert, Allan has appeared in nine games, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

What about Bob?

In his first year in the WHL, Ilya Usau has adapted quickly.

Heading into the weekend, Usau is riding a four-game point streak with four goals and four assists in that span. Altogether, the American forward has five goals and nine points through nine games.

All his points this season came during the recent six-game home stand at the Art Hauser Centre, a building that he has clearly enjoyed playing in. After Saturday’s game against the Warriors, Usau addressed the fans gathered in the Ches Leach Lounge.

“I love it. You guys are great, it’s so much fun when you guys are coming out every game to support us. It’s unbelievable,” Usau said.

If you went to the Raider locker room in search of Ilya, however, you may have trouble finding him. You’d have better luck asking for “Bob.”

Usau has been referred to as Bob since training camp, with the nickname seemingly originating at the team’s golf tournament. Since then, it’s stuck.

How does Ilya feel about being Bob?

“I think it’s funny, I love it.”

The nickname has suited him well so far, as have Raiders colours, and he’ll look to build off recent success on the road trip.

The road ahead

Saturday night’s game in Everett gets underway at 7 p.m. local time, 8 p.m. back in Prince Albert.

After that, the Raiders have two days to prepare for a busy four game in five days stretch starting Tuesday night in Seattle (8 p.m.) and Wednesday night in Portland (8 p.m.)

All games will be broadcast live on CKBI, with pregame hitting the air at 6:30 p.m.

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trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden

by Trevor Redden

Redden on the Raiders: The bus heads west

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