It was a bittersweet night to open the season last Friday when the Raiders began their 2019 title defense. About 40 minutes before the Raiders revealed their championship banners from the 2018-2019 season, it was announced that captain Brayden Pachal had signed an entry-level deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. This signals the probable end to his junior career, which coach Marc Habscheid echoed in his postgame availability. Pachal did surprise the fans, flying back to help the Raiders unveil the Ed Chynoweth Cup to a big applause from the Raiders faithful.
After the festivities, Ryan Hughes scored 17 seconds into overtime to lift the Blades over the Raiders 3-2. It was a tight checking game without a ton of grade A chances with a total of only 38 shots in the game. In the rematch on Saturday night, Raiders goaltender Boston Bilous played his best game as a Raider, shutting out the Blades in a 1-0 victory. Cole Fonstad broke the deadlock twelve minutes into the 3rd frame.
In the first two games, goaltender Boston Bilous looked like he’s the number one goaltender the club expected him to be. Bilous started the season with a sparkling 1.44 GAA and a .982 SP%. The Raiders young defensemen Nolan Allan and Landon Kosior had an impressive opening weekend, each picking up points on opening night. Nolan Allan also took exception to a crosscheck from Kjell Kjemhus and had his first WHL fight, showing his strength. Brayden Clark and Randen Schmidt also had a spirited tilt in the 3rd period, which brought the fans to their feet.
With the Raiders currently occupying only two 20-year-old players, they acquired 20-year-old forward Brayden Watts from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a fith-round selection. The Raiders are familiar with Watts as he had two goals and one assist in the WHL Final last season. He will fit in nicely to the Raiders forward group with his skill and experience. This move could complicate the 20-year-old situation if Zack Hayes is sent back from Anaheim Ducks camp, although Hayes has survived the first round of cuts and is eligible to play in the AHL if signed. As of right now, Anaheim sits at 47 out 50 contracts, so it’s possible they sign him, thus ending his junior career.
In other moves, the Raiders signed 15-year-old fourth-round selection defenseman Tre Fouquette, who is currently playing for the Prince Albert Mintos of the SMAAAHL. Fouquette saw his stock rise through last season, starting the season as more of an afterthought and finishing the season ranked #79 by DraftGeek. He’s seen as an athletic defender with excellent mobility. He’s projected as more of a defensive defenseman at this time but does have a hard, accurate shot.
Upcoming this weekend, the Raiders head to Regina on Friday to meet the Regina Pats (1-1) and then return home Saturday to host the Winnipeg ICE (1-1).
