Justice Christensen, Max Heise, and Lukas Dragicevic have been announced as part of the rookie camp rosters for the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken respectively. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nick Nielsen

Going Camping

Three Raiders announced the NHL rookie camps

Sep 5, 2025 | 11:54 AM

NHL teams have started to announce their rosters for upcoming rookie camps, and three Prince Albert Raiders are amongst the players heading out to camps after this weekend’s preseason action.

Captain Justice Christensen is heading to camp with the Detroit Red Wings, the newly acquired Max Heise is heading to San Jose Sharks camp, and Lukas Dragicevic is heading to camp with the Seattle Kraken.

Starting off with Christensen, the 20-year-old defenceman was not drafted by the Red Wings, but has earned his spot after leading all WHL defencemen in goals and earning a scholarship with the University of Nebraska-Omaha for next season. He first heard from the Red Wings in early July when he captained Canada’s U20 World Ball Hockey Team to a gold medal in Slovakia.

“It’s been about a month and a half-ish. I got the call when I was in Slovakia, actually, so that was a crazy week for me. But yeah, I’m super pumped to get there.”

Raiders Assistant Coach Connor Yawney is the son of Red Wings assistant coach Trent Yawney, but Christensen says the two of them have not spoken much about the opportunity to head to Detroit. For Christensen, he believes it’s important to keep some distance between the Raiders and the Red Wings to make sure he has his focus in the right place.

Just Dance

Dance Blast returns with a bang

16h ago

Avoid area

Police operation concluded on Kemp Crescent

16h ago

Local leadership

Rural Municipality of Buckland elects first female reeve

18h ago

“I was in touch with Connor over the summer and yeah, we just talked a little bit about it, but yeah, just kind of keeping the two separate a little bit. Like I want to do my job when I’m here, but then obviously when I get the opportunity there to prove myself. Not a whole lot’s been said, but it’s definitely exciting.”

Christensen will be going to camp with fellow Red Deer native Nate Danielson. Detroit’s rookie camp is taking place in Frisco, Texas, where Christensen will get the opportunity to play against the Dallas Stars rookies on September 13 and 14.

On to Heise who was drafted to the San Jose Sharks this year in the fifth round, 150th overall, and so he’s already been to a development camp with the Sharks after his draft. Now, his goal is to try and earn his way out of the rookie camp and into the Sharks’ main camp.

“I want to go down there and make a good impression, and shoot for going to main camp is the goal and try and be with them for as long as I can. It’s obviously going to be tough. There’s a lot of really good players, but I think I’m up to the test.”

The 19-year-old forward spent the last two seasons in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees so he could pursue a college scholarship with Michigan State University, but when the Vees disbanded their BCHL team to join the WHL and the NCAA opened up its eligibility to CHL players, Heise then signed with the Raiders for this upcoming season.

Since he’s been in Prince Albert, he’s loved the welcome that he’s received, and while he’s hoping for a long look from the Sharks, he is excited to play in front of the Raiders faithful this season.

“It’s been a good transition so far. The guys and the coaching staff have all been really good to me and really supportive and showing me around the town, and how everything goes around the rink. Still a lot to learn and some more time spend with the guys, obviously we just got here, but I’m just looking forward to the season ahead with this group.”

After already spending time at a development camp with the Sharks, Heise is familiar with everyone he will be heading to rookie camp with.

Heise will head to Irvine, California, for the ‘Golden State Rookie Faceoff’, where he could play a potential two games against rookies from the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings.

The final Prince Albert Raiders announced to an NHL camp roster is 20-year-old defenceman Lukas Dragicevic. The Seattle Kraken have announced their rosters for both their rookie camp and their regular training camp, which includes their full NHL roster, and Dragicevic has been named to both of those camp rosters.

As a result, he is the only player of the three who has not made an appearance in Prince Albert during the preseason. The Kraken have one rookie squad game announced against the Vancouver Canucks on September 13 in Everett, Washington.

Christensen and Heise will both be in Prince Albert for this weekend’s preseason games against the Saskatoon Blades and the Raiders Run on Sunday before heading out to their respective camps next week.

—

nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com