Carter Serhyenko. (Keith Hershmiller/WHL).

By Jeff D’Andrea

Surging Serhyenko

Serhyenko could complete rare Raiders goaltender accomplishment

Jul 23, 2021 | 4:00 PM

Carter Serhyenko has a chance to accomplish something quite rare, get selected in the NHL Entry Draft as a goaltender from the Prince Albert Raiders.

Since Serhyenko was born back in 2002, only two Raiders goalies have been selected by NHL teams. Ian Scott was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round in 2017, and Rejean Beauchemin was picked in 2003 by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round.

Before Beauchemin, you have to go all the way back to 1999 when then-Raider Evan Lindsay was selected into the NHL. In fact, Lindsay was actually drafted twice, in 1999 by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round, after the Calgary Flames picked him in the second round of the 1997 draft.

But Serhyenko did his best to not think about any of that, the fact he’s ranked ninth among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting—or even the draft for that matter.

“The draft process hasn’t been a huge focus of mine though. I’m just focusing on what I can control and getting better every day,” Serhyenko said. “But it is definitely exciting for me and my family. I’m very curious to see what happens.”

Signed

Mintos netminder Henry commits to SJHL's Mustangs for 2025/26 season

17h ago

Court proceedings

Four years for man who raped teen girl while high on meth

18h ago

Organizational meeting

Stubbs resumes chairperson duties for Catholic School Division.

Nov 26, 2024

Serhyenko came out of nowhere on the scene. Before the 2019-20 season, Serheynko was poised to start the season with the Tisdale Trojans in the SMAAAHL league, but impressed in camp and earned himself a roster spot as an undrafted 17-year-old.

Serhyenko posted encouraging numbers in his rookie season. In 15 appearances in the 2019-20 season, Serhyenko registered 2.21 goals against average and 0.916 save percentage. He was 7-5-0-1 as well. In the Subway Hub Centre, Serhyenko made 10 appearances and was 2-5-2-1 with 3.99 goals against average and 0.858 save percentage.

For a big stretch of the season, Serhyenko was the only active goaltender for the Raiders as Max Paddock was sidelined with an injury, and prospect Max Hildebrand hadn’t joined the team yet.

For next year with the Raiders, the Raiders are expected to head into training camp with three goaltenders in Serhyenko, Hildebrand, and the newly drafted Tikhon Chayka from the CHL Import Draft.

Although there seems to be a lot of competition in the Raiders’ crease, Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt said that Serhyenko appears to be at the top of the pecking board.

“Carter believes very strongly that he can be an elite guy, and he’s going to get that opportunity as an 19-year-old. He’s a big, strong, powerful guy,” Hunt said. “Obviously, the NHL feels the same way as we see where they’ve ranked him in terms of North American goalies. And we’re excited about the competition we have now at that position.”

Regardless of what happens in this weekend’s draft, Serhyenko is poised to have a big year for the Raiders.

“We’ve built a winning culture, so I think the big thing for everything on the team is to push for another championship for the organization,” Serhyenko said. “For me more personally, I’d like to play in as many games as possible and win as many possible, and give the team a chance to win every time I’m in the net.”

–

Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW