Game Preview: Home Opener vs Saskatoon
SETTING IT UP:
Get up Prince Albert! The Prince Albert Raiders start the 2025-26 season TONIGHT at the Art Hauser Centre against the Saskatoon Blades! Coming off an East Division title win last season, the banner will be in the Art Hauser Centre rafters. It’s the first of eight meetings this season between highway 11 rivals, as the season starts with a home and home set. For the first time since the 2022-23 season, the Raiders open up their regular season schedule against the Blades.
NEW FACES TO SAY HELLO TO:
Eight players are on Prince Albert’s roster that have not played in a WHL regular season game yet. Max Heise, Connor Howe, Alisher Sarkenov, Kyle Obobaifo, Matyas Man, Hubert Clarke, Michal Orsulak, and Owen Corkish are all on the Raiders’ opening night roster. Heise comes from the BCHL, where he spent 2024-25 with the Penticton Vees. Sarkenov, Man, and Orsulak were all CHL Import Draft picks this summer. Sarkenov has not arrived in town yet, but Raider fans will get to meet him soon! Connor Howe is a Prince Albert local, who will quickly become a fan favourite. Obobaifo is a 2024 third round pick by the Raiders, and Clarke was a 2022 11th round pick. Corkish was invited to training camp this fall, and was later signed after an impressive preseason showing.
GONE CAMPING:
Max Heise and Justice Christensen are at NHL camp to start the season. After being drafted this summer, Max Heise will be with the San Jose Sharks. Christensen, meanwhile, was invited by the Detroit Red Wings, and was added to their main camp roster a few days ago.
A MILESTONE ALREADY:
In his first game of the 2025-26 regular season, Raiders forward Aiden Oiring will be suiting up for his 200th career WHL game. The Calgary, AB product has 62 career goals and 104 assists for 166 points.
2024-25 RECAP:
The Raiders finished last season with a 39-23-5-1 record, finishing first in the East Divison. By winning the division, they were granted the second overall seed for the first round of the playoffs. They matched up with the Edmonton Oil Kings, and after falling behind in the series 3-1, Prince Albert roared back to win in seven games. They would fall to the eventual WHL Champions, the Medicine Hat Tigers, in the second round.
UP NEXT:
It’s right back at it between the Raiders and Blades tomorrow night, as the scene shifts to Saskatoon for their home opener at SaskTel Centre. Puck drops at 7pm. You can watch every Raiders away game for free on Victory+, or listen on 900 CKBI.
