By Trevor Redden

Four Raiders to attend NHL rookie tournaments

Aug 28, 2017 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert Raiders forward Parker Kelly is one of 23 players invited to the Ottawa Senators rookie camp beginning on September 7.

After a breakout season in 2016-17 in which the Camrose, Alta. native registered 21 goals and 22 assists for 43 points in 72 games played, Kelly was passed over by NHL general managers in the 2017 entry draft. However, he has now earned himself an invite to the Senators rookie camp which will include a three-team round robin tournament between the Senators, Maple Leafs, and Canadiens prospects at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto from September 8 to 10. Kelly and teammate Brayden Pachal were invited to the Senators’ development camp in July, and Kelly is one of six undrafted or unsigned players to be named to the rookie tournament team.

“I try to be a diamond in the rough kind of guy,” said Kelly. “I know I probably do get looked over most of the time because of my size but I just try to prove everyone wrong and show them what I got.”

A seventh-round draft pick in the 2014 WHL bantam draft, Kelly stepped into a leadership role with the Raiders in his sophomore season as he was named an alternate captain in 2016-17. The 1999-born forward is the top returning scorer as he finished second to departing Czech import Simon Stransky a year ago.

News Release: The #Sens have invited 23 players to the team's 2017 rookie camp and tournament: https://t.co/Go46b84VHT

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) August 28, 2017

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Scott named to Maple Leafs roster

Star goaltender Ian Scott will be joining Kelly at the rookie tournament in Toronto as a member of the Maple Leafs rookie team.

Scott was selected in the fourth round, 110th overall, in the 2017 NHL entry draft after his sophomore season with the Raiders. In 50 games last season, Scott turned aside 89.5% of shots faced and posted a Goals Against Average of 3.69. 

The Calgary native was the first Raider netminder drafted into the NHL since Rejean Beauchemin was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers 191st overall in 2003.

The @MapleLeafs announce 26-man roster for 2017 Rookie Tournament at Ricoh Coliseum this September.

>> https://t.co/KGAUu14uzk pic.twitter.com/XiNC7EFBtW

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 28, 2017

Stallard, Budik also in rookie tournaments

Today, the Winnipeg Jets announced that Raider forward and Winnipeg draft pick Jordy Stallard would be taking part in the YoungStars tournament in Penticton in September. Stallard was acquired by the Raiders from the Calgary Hitmen in 2016-17, but had his season cut short by injury after producing 10 points in eight games with his new team. Stallard will be an offensive leader as a 20 year old on the team this season.

According to the Raiders website, defenceman Vojtech Budik will be representing the Buffalo Sabres in the team’s rookie tournament as well, although no announcement has been made yet by the Sabres. Budik was a 5th round pick of the Sabres in 2016.

trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nedderrovert