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Luke Moroz celebrates a goal against Kamloops earlier this season. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)
Raiders Rookies

WHL rookies Moroz, Chenier flourishing with more ice time

Jan 18, 2024 | 8:00 AM

Take a look back at the scoring summaries of recent Prince Alberts Raiders games and you’re bound to see the names of Luke Moroz and Oli Chenier.

The two Western Hockey League rookies have been playing their best hockey of the season of late, with both forwards taking advantage of more ice time due to injuries to other players on the Raiders roster.

“Being in and out of the lineup is super hard to stay consistent and keep producing,” said Moroz, who is coming off a three point game against the Brandon Wheat Kings. “Now that I’ve been in the lineup every day, just having the same routine and staying consistent… it’s definitely helped a lot.”

Moroz admitted he was a little bit unsure of himself at the start of the year, but said he’s playing with a lot more confidence now.

“I think just not second guessing myself and just doing my natural instincts now,” said Moroz, 16. I know at the start of the year I was really timid and didn’t have the confidence that I usually have. And now I’ve kind of gotten back to my regular self and believing in myself now and it’s starting to show that I can really do it.”

Moroz said he and Chenier are on similar trajectories this season.

“I love the way Oli plays…he’s super skilled and some people don’t see it but he’s a skilled player,” Moroz said. “He’s got a lot of talent and I like the way he thinks the game. I think if me and him can get on a line one day I think we can produce pretty well.”

Oli Chenier distributes the puck in a game against Saskatoon earlier this month. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

Chenier was arguably the Raiders best player during their most recent homestand at the Art Hauser Centre. He scored a hat trick against Vancouver while also scoring the shootout winner against the rival Saskatoon Blades.

“Playing every night gets me into a bit of a groove,” said the 16-year-old Chenier. “I’ve been out there quite a bit lately. Providing some offence for the team is always good. Helping out the team…it’s been really good.”

“I’ve been growing as a player and confidence is a big part of it,” Chenier continued. “As I’m growing my skills are growing too, so it’s been pretty good.”

Chenier agreed he and Moroz have stepped up their game as the calendar turned to 2024.

“Since the break we’ve both been kind of taking off,” Chenier said. “It’s just nice to see 16-year-olds on a team together and we’re both doing pretty well right now, so hopefully we can keep that up.”

While the two 2007-born forwards have enjoyed individual success in the new year, the team’s fortunes have not been as good. The Raiders have just two wins in their last nine games and are clinging to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference ahead of an Alberta road trip this weekend.

“It’s so important…it is huge,” said Moroz of the three games coming up against Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary. “It’s three games and six points that we need. Calgary is one point behind us with two games in hand.”

“We want the playoffs so bad; we need these wins.”

nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com

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