Last year's Raiders captain Zack Hayes will compete in a 60 team tournament in the Memorial eCup, playing the NHL 21 video game. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Hayeser with a Laser

Zack Hayes repping the Raiders one last time

Nov 20, 2020 | 12:00 PM

When last year’s Western Hockey League season was cut short to COVID-19, then-20-year-old Zack Hayes rightly thought his days of representing the Prince Albert Raiders were over.

But after playing 272 career games for the Raiders, and another 30 in the playoffs, Hayes will be the first-ever player to represent the Raiders in a video game format. Hayes was selected to be the Raiders’ lone player in the Memorial eCup presented by Kia.

“I didn’t know when I was going to play my last game in the Art Hauser, so I get to play a couple more in the video game,” Hayes chuckled.

The Memorial eCup pits all 60 CHL teams against each other in a single-elimination tournament, setting up best-of-three series in the semi-final and final rounds. The games will be broadcasted on Facebook Live and Twitch game streaming. The tournament begins on Nov. 28 and Dec. 17.

Hayes has been playing the series since NHL 2004 on his family’s computer, and more recently on Playstation. Hayes said he’s purchased each game of the franchise since NHL 13 and hasn’t looked back since. He’ll even go as far as to say the NHL video game helped make him fall in love with the game.

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“It’s definitely a game you can play with multiple people when friends come over,” Hayes said. “It’s a good game and it’s built the love for hockey as well.”

With about a week to prepare, Hayes said he’s been playing online and against some of his skilled friends to make sure his game is as strong as it can be by Nov. 28.

Hayes said he and Jeremy Masella were the best two players on the Raiders. Just about every time the Raiders had a road trip and somebody brought either a Playstation or an Xbox, Hayes said he would usually see Masella in the backend of the tournament.

Hayes backs himself and his skill but is weary of a few hidden gems among the field.

“I’d say I’m pretty confident, but there’s definitely a couple guys that are unreal at the game, just superstars,” Hayes said. “I think I’d be able to put them up in a good game. I don’t know if I’ll be able to win it all, but the confidence is definitely there. I think I’ll be able to compete.”

Hayes played 302 regular season and playoff games with the Raiders from 2015-2020, before signing with the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL—the farm team for the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Mintos playing ‘Chel as well

There are two more players in the tournament with local ties. Former Mintos forward Kyrell Sopotyk is representing the Kamloops Blazers, while Kishaun Gervais is playing for the Portland Winterhawks.

Beach Radio morning host Lew Harrison models the Riley the Raider T’s for Toys shirt. (Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff)

T’s for Toys

All 22 mascots from across the WHL are appearing on t-shirts for the T’s for Toys campaign. For every $20 Riley the Raider t-shirt that’s sold, $7 will be donated to the Prince Albert Optimist Fund. Every other team has a local charity, to help ensure children will be able to receive toys during the holidays.

The T’s for Toys campaign will run through Dec. 11.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW