Forward Riley Boychuk was the second overall pick by the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL Prospects Draft. (Submitted Photo/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Rob Mahon

Boychuk Can't Wait

Second overall pick Boychuk champing at the bit to get to Prince Albert

May 11, 2023 | 4:00 PM

It’s been a big season for Riley Boychuk. The MVP of both the playoffs and regular season, and the Alberta Elite Hockey League’s top forward in the U15 AAA division, he’s just added another accolade to his lengthy list: second overall pick in the WHL Prospects Draft.

The high-scoring forward who put up 80 point in 33 games for the Airdrie Xtreme and followed that up with 16 points in nine playoff games. Boychuk the Raiders second choice of the day, just minutes after they picked defenceman Daxon Rudolph first. The smile on his face at being picked was practically audible.

“It felt so good to be drafted by such a good organization and such a good team,” said Boychuk. “It felt awesome. It was truly an honour for both me and my family, and it’s a very exciting time and a very exciting day.”

Taking a day off from school, Boychuk wrapped up an early morning hockey practice before going home and putting the draft on his TV with his family around him.

“It was a very cool moment for us, and it was great to spend it with my whole family, which was really nice.”

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Coincidentally, all three Raiders’ first round picks are Alberta-born players. After Rudolph and Boychuk, St. Albert’s Ty Meunier was the next pick at number seven. And the hockey world being as small as it is, Boychuk is familiar with both other players.

“I’ve played him (Rudolph) since I think we were in novice,” he said. “He’s a really good person, I’ve talked to him a lot, and he’s always been a true competitor of mine, always really good, always the best player on his team when I’ve played him…And Ty, yeah, we know each other. I played against him last year and then played against him three times this year in the league. He led his team to a really good season.”

Boychuk’s playmaking is a standout skill for him, as you’d expect from a player with 62 assists in a single season. Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt praised his ability to find open players, and Boychuk demonstrated it time and time again last season.

“I would say I’m kind of a dynamic playmaker who makes a lot of high-level plays,” Boychuk said. “I’m a pass-first guy and I like to find my teammates for open shots. I always try to make the simple play and make the right play. I try to make my teammates better both on and off the ice.”

The excitement at being drafted was evident in Boychuk, but so was the excitement in coming to Prince Albert specifically. Not only knowing he’s one of three top-seven picks to join the team, he’s seen what the Raiders are building.

“They’ve built up a really good team,” said Boychuk. “Ryder Ritchie and all their other players this year, young players, they’re really good, and they had a really good draft last year.”

Boychuk added he’s thrilled to be joining the same WHL team as his Airdrie teammate Beckett Kelly, who the Raiders selected in the second round, 27^th overall.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP