By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders ‘building from the backend’ with Allan and Guhle

Aug 26, 2018 | 5:25 PM

For Nolan Allan, this is his first glimpse into what life in the Western Hockey League is all about.

Allan’s attending his first training camp with the Prince Albert Raiders, who drafted him third overall in this past WHL Entry Draft.

It’s a new speed to the game. A new team, led by unfamiliar coaches, in an unfamiliar rink with unfamiliar players. There’s a lot to take in for anybody, especially for a 15-year-old making his way on the team.

But if there’s anybody who knows what Allan’s is going through right now, it’s Kaiden Guhle.

Last year, Guhle went through basically the same thing. He came into camp not just as the Raiders’ top pick in his draft year like Allan, but as the first overall pick.

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They’re both left-shooting defenceman, with similar builds, similar skillsets and sky-is-the-limit ceilings. Even Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt joked about their similarity, asking “have you mixed them up yet?”

Guhle offered some simple but sage advice to the young Allan.

“Just have fun and be a sponge in your 15-year-old camp,” Guhle said. “Take in everything and learn as much as you can.”

Although Guhle is just one year senior to him, Allan sees Guhle as an example to follow.

“It’s nice to look up to him, see how he does things and follow what he does,” Allan said.

Ron Gunville is one of the biggest reasons why both players have ended up on the Raiders. As the director of player personnel, Gunville and his scouts were happy to draft both Allan and Guhle in the top of their classes and “build from the backend.”

As a 15-year-old, Allan won’t be eligible to play in the upcoming WHL season. But for fans wanting a glimpse into the future, Gunville gave his assessment of Allan and what to expect from the defenceman from Davidson.

“What separates him from most guys is his skating ability,” Gunville said. “A couple of the older guys took runs at him yesterday, but he’s strong on his skates. He jumped in the play a few times. Once he gets more comfortable, he’ll be up in the play all the time creating offence.”

“He’s got some things to learn defensively, but that’s with any 15-year-old coming from bantam.”

For Guhle, the time is now. He’ll be able to play his first full WHL season with the Green and Gold, just like his older brother Brendan Guhle did.

“He doesn’t look like your normal 16-year-old. It’s why he’s one of the best players in all of Canada,” Gunville said. “His skating, his puck sense, his poise. He also has some bite to his game, some people don’t realize. He plays a physical game and he’ll hack and whack a bit. He’s generally an all-around, good defenceman.

“He brings everything to do the table and he’ll be an outstanding player for us as a 16-year-old, and in years to come.”

Rest of camp

There’s one scrimmage remaining on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Then on marathon Monday, there are six skates at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Green and White intrasquad game will go on at 6 p.m. on Tuesday to wrap up camp.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW