By Jeff D'Andrea

Farewell to Captain Curt, Stally and Nags

Apr 4, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The Prince Albert Raiders’ season ended Tuesday after a spirited 5-4 loss to the Moose Jaw Warriors in game 7 of the opening playoff series round, and so did the Western Hockey League careers of the team’s three over-agers.

Captain Curtis Miske, along with forwards Jordy Stallard and Regan Nagy, played their last game with the Raiders last night. All three were acquired in deadline deals, with Miske and Stallard arriving last January and Nagy coming to the fold this year.

“They’re a character group. They helped us a lot,” Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid said. “Stallard came in and played great for us. Nagy, he had a lot of injuries, he was banged up but he’s a warrior. Miske, what do you say about him? He came in as a guy that didn’t play a lot in Spokane, and all of a sudden he’s our captain. Real mature guy and he led the right way and did all the right things.”

Habscheid said it’s hard to see the trio go.

“I’m so proud of all of them,” he said. “We just wish we could have all three back next year, but we won’t so we wish them luck.”

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Curtis Miske

Acquired: Jan. 2, 2017 from Spokane Chiefs for fourth-round pick in 2018 WHL Bantam Draft.

Regular season: 27 goals, 64 points in 72 games.

Postseason: three goals, 10 points in 7 games (led Raiders in post-season points).

It didn’t take Miske long to make an impact as a Raider. After he was relegated to a depth role with the Spokane Chiefs, Miske flourished when the Raiders gave him additional responsibilities. When Miske came over from the Chiefs last year he was having his most productive season, averaging half a point. He scored .89 points per game with the Raiders and led the team in playoff scoring this year, racking up 10 points in seven games.

Miske said he loved his time as Raider, and that feeling has to do with a lot more than just getting playing time.

“It’s an absolute honour. It’s the best environment you could ever think of. It’s a ton of fun every day,” Miske said. “The atmosphere around being a Prince Albert Raider and what it means to be a part of that community, it’s unbelievable. It’s an indescribable feeling. I’m so proud and happy and thankful that I got a chance to be one.”

Jordy Stallard

Acquired: Jan. 10, 2017 from Calgary Hitmen with 10^th rounder, for Luke Coleman and fourth-round pick in 2018.

Regular season: 44 goals, 91 points in 72 games (led Raiders in goals and points).

Postseason: three goals, eight points in seven games.

Jordy Stallard was the product of one of the better trades Curtis Hunt has made in his three full seasons as the team’s general manager. Stallard scored 91 points for the Raiders in a full 72-game season after scoring 37 in 40 games last year between the Hitmen and Raiders. Stallard was the Raiders’ go-to player and centered the top line throughout the year.

“Curtis made a trade for me at the end of last year, and I couldn’t be happier with where I ended up,” Stallard, who was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016, said. “Manson and Habscheid brought me in, took me under their wings and pushed me to be a better player and, more importantly, a better person. I think I’ve excelled here and I’m very fortunate for my time here.”

Regan Nagy

Acquired: Jan. 2, 2018 from Victoria Royals for Hunter Strand, sixth-round and tenth-round picks in 2018, third-round in 2019.

Postseason: two goals, five points in seven games.

Regular season: seven goals, 21 points in 31 games with Raiders (18 goals, 24 points in 26 games with Royals).

Nagy was drafted by the Victoria Royals and played his first 253 games there, but the trade to the Raiders this deadline put him a lot closer to his hometown of Ogema. 

“It’s always nice playing closer to home, I never got to do that when I was out in Victoria,” Nagy said. “It was a lot of fun.”

As one of the newest additions to the team this year, Nagy said the transition into the new club was pretty easy.

“It was my first time ever getting traded, so it was a little bit different for me, but it was an easy group to come into. These guys are awesome,” Nagy said. “They welcomed me in with open arms; the coaching staff too. It was great and it was easy to fit in with these guys. I’ve really enjoyed it here.”

Even though he’s moving on, Nagy said he’ll always have fond memories of his time as a Raider.

“There’s a lot of history with this team; it’s great to be a part of,” he said. “I’ll forever have that.”

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW