Leading by example: Christensen playing huge role in Raiders success
With the final weeks ticking down in the 2024-25 regular season, the Prince Albert Raiders are in a neck and neck race for the East Division lead. The green and gold currently have a three point lead on both the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades, and with just 12 games left in the schedule, it’s becoming even more crucial to put more W’s in the standings.
Raider captain Justice Christensen says that despite the fact there are three teams fighting for that coveted top spot in the division, the team is only worried about what they’re doing.
“We know what’s at stake, but we can’t control what the other teams are doing,” he said. “We just want to play to the best of our ability every night and we’ll be alright. We know we’re a good team. We just continue to build on our game and get better. We have the skill and the speed in our dressing room to make it happen, and we’ve been able to start executing on the ice.”
So far in February, the Raiders have won seven of their 11 games. With Lethbridge and Edmonton paying visits to the Art Hauser Centre to wrap up the month, Christensen knows that not only these games, but every one left on the schedule could have potential playoff implications.
“These games are huge for us. We want to keep our division lead, and we’re looking forward to playing in these games. Our fan support is great, they always show up for us, and to get these wins in front of them is extra special. We’ve only got four home games left after this week, so we’re coming down to the end pretty quick. To get any victory right now is awesome, but our fans make it even better.”
In Christensen’s first season as captain, he’s certainly lived up to the role in more ways than one. Whether it’s a booming hit at the blue line, or a clutch goal to put the team up, his leadership has been on full display. ‘Juice’ is tied for the league lead in goals by a defenceman with 20, shattering his previous career high of 13 which he set last year. He’s second in team defencemen scoring with 41 points, and leads the team in +/- with a +23 rating. He explained what flipped the switch for him this season.
“I think just another year in the league has helped me,” he said. “The offseason was great and I was able to continue to grow that way. Playing with Daxon (Rudolph) has helped a lot, too. He’s a dynamic player and that’s helped a bunch. I think I’ve helped him a ton, and we’ve been able to get some chemistry going. The more games he gets under his belt the better he’s going to get.”
Rudolph is the newest WHL Rookie of the Week, coming off the heels of a Rookie of the Month in January, but he isn’t the only rookie who has been contributing lately. While he leads the team in rookie scoring with 33 points, Ty Meunier and Riley Boychuk have been putting together solid rookie seasons as well with 24 points each. Meunier has three goals and six points in his last five games, while Boychuk has five points in his last five contests. Ethan Bibeau is quietly putting together a decent freshman season as well with 17 points, while Dayce Derkatch continues to be a pest in the side of the opponent with his dogged determination on the ice.
At this point in the season, Christensen described the type of pressure the young guns might be facing, and how they can handle it with the season coming down to it’s biggest grind.
“They’ve all been great players in tight games in their young careers,” Christensen said. “The message to them is to just keep playing their game and not try to do anything special. Obviously the team comes first, and they just have to keep taking in everything as it comes and continue to build.”
The Raiders have a big game coming up tomorrow night at the Art Hauser Centre as they welcome the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Prince Albert is trying to catch the Canes in the standings, and need your support in the stands. Puck drops at 7pm, and you can buy tickets HERE.
