Rudolph thriving under pressures of first overall pick
In the 2023 WHL Draft, 232 players born in 2008 from Western Canada and a few from the United States were picked across 13 rounds in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. That year the Raiders had three picks in the first seven spots of the draft, including the first overall pick that they would use to select defenceman Daxon Rudolph.
Rudolph made a splash in his first two games as a Raider, scoring a big goal in his first game and an assist in his next, but he’d cool off from his hot start. In the first 22 games of the season, Rudolph would post just eight points (1G-7A). In the next 23 games since then, Rudolph has come alive offensively with 18 points (3G-15A).
“I wouldn’t say there’s a certain point where it all suddenly clicked, I just think building each and every day has helped me the most. To start the year in a new league, new team, new systems, new everything for a lot of the guys, and I think that’s kind of what stopped us from playing at our best or get the wins that we wanted, but I think as the seasons gone on, we’ve all gelled together as a team, and for myself I think just getting more confidence each and every game in this league and just starting to play my game and contribute offensively is just what I want to do and I think that helps the team get the wins and that’s what we want.”
Being picked first overall has some pretty high expectations for a player, especially when you look at the other names with that distinction. Landon Dupont in Everett in 2024, Gavin McKenna in Medicine Hat from 2022, Berkly Catton in Spokane from 2021, all still playing in the league and lighting things up, and if you go back one year further to 2020 you mention the name Connor Bedard. The players Rudolph’s talent is compared to the moment he stepped foot on to a WHL ice surface place some high expectations on the Raiders rookie, but he isn’t fazed.
“It’s definitely cool to be in the same category. Those guys are obviously unbelievable players. I wouldn’t say I compare myself too much, we’re all different players, obviously. Me and Landon are the two defencemen in that group, so maybe a little bit there just because we always compete against each other, especially last year and this year as well, but no, it’s more just outside noise. It’s kind of just something in the past now that already happened and I just try to focus on getting better every day and kind of just proving why I was taken in that first overall pick.”
With points in 12 straight games through January, only going one game without a point in the final game of the month, Rudolph was named the WHL Rookie of the Month. Posting 2G-13A in that time, it’s the longest point streak this season by a rookie in the WHL, edging out Tommy Lafreniere in Kamloops by one game. In the one game Rudolph didn’t have a point, he had the fourth touch on two of the goals scored.
A big reason for that success from Rudolph has been his defensive partner, Raiders captain Justice Christensen. During Rudolph’s 12 game streak in January, Christensen also managed 7G-4A with Rudolph picking up assists on three Christensen one timers. In interviews earlier this year, Christensen has said that Rudolph is likely a future captain of this team, and the respect from Rudolph is mutual.
“He’s awesome for me, especially as a young guy looking up to him on and off the ice, he’s been amazing for me. He kind of took me under his wing a little bit, especially now that we’re D partners and I think we’re starting to build some chemistry and work really well together. So yeah, I love looking across the blue line and having him there. Someone I can talk to at any time and true captain.”
Along with Rudolph in that 2023 draft class are the second overall pick Riley Boychuk and seventh overall pick Ty Meunier. All three came out of the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL or Alberta AAA) where they would have played against each other. For Rudolph, he’s seen first hand how Boychuk and Meunier have been leaders on their teams in the past, and it has him excited to play with those two and be core pieces of this Raiders team moving forward.
“When we were in U15, you look at the teams in the South division and all the players, it was always Riley Boychuk and he’s always standing at the top there for the points, and up in the North, St. Albert always had a good team led by Ty. Those two would always battle for the top amount of points in the league. Just trying to compete with them was a little tough back then. But I mean, they’re both really good players and we’ve had a lot of fun times in the past competing against each other, and now I’m so lucky to play with them.”
Watching Rudolph on the ice, the way he stays poised in pressure situations and stays calm throughout a game can make you doubt that he’s only 16 years old and in his first year in the WHL. If you sit down and talk with him, it becomes even harder to believe with the way he carries himself off the ice and the way he prepares for a game. He credits that to his parents and coaches he’s worked with in the past.
“Just getting exposure and getting out more. Practicing talking in front of people is something my mom’s always pushed on me. That’s really important to her and how you carry yourself. Her and my dad had both been really good role models for me off the ice especially, but I’ve had a couple amazing coaches as well. Ryan Smith, when I was really young, was good for me even then. So those guys are all big role models for me and I just try and carry myself in the best way possible.”
As the Raiders go down the stretch, they are still in a heated race for the top of the Eastern Conference and the East Division. With nothing but Eastern Conference opponents remaining this season, the games the rest of the way are important towards those standings. For Rudolph, the team is hitting their stride at the perfect time.
“It’s exciting. These teams are looked at as top in the league and I think we’re right there with them. I think that’s our mindset. We got to go through at some point, so may as well send that message now. It’ll be a big test for our group, but I think we’re ready for it and we compete and play like we can, I think we’ll be just fine.”
