WHL Stars of Tomorrow: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders

Another first-overall selection is ready to take the Prince Albert Raiders back to the WHL summit.

Hailing from Lacombe, Alta., top prospect Daxon Rudolph is gearing up for his first full season with the Raiders organization – and his addition to the club is coming at the perfect time. Owning an even mix of WHL regulars, NHL prospects, and budding stars, the Club’s contending window is broadening by the day.

If this tale seems eerily familiar, it’s because it is.

This isn’t the first time the Raiders have built their future on the shoulders of a first-overall pick.

The 2024 WHL Prospects Draft in May marked the first time since 2017 that the club selected from the top spot – grabbing Montreal Canadiens defenceman, two-time WHL Champion, and 2022 WHL Playoffs MVP, Kaiden Guhle.

And, if history finds a way to repeat itself, the Raiders may be en route to another championship in the near future.

With Guhle on the roster, the Raiders went on to win the 2019 WHL Championship.

Plus, if you ask Raiders Head Coach Jeff Truitt, 16-year-old Rudolph has shades of Guhle in his game.

“On the surface, he’s a mobile guy, he’s got confidence with the puck, he can make plays, he can help out on the offence, just like Kaiden was. These are special players,” Truitt shared.

While stoked to add a player like Rudolph to the Raiders’ ranks, Truitt also understands the importance of giving the elite blueliner time to adjust to this new level of hockey.

“To be able to get that pick and have him come to Prince Albert, now comes the time where he has to learn at our level. You can’t put a lot of pressure on somebody like that, even though a number one draft pick is always seen as ‘the guy.'”

ICYMI: Watch as the @PARaidersHockey announce Daxon Rudolph as the first-overall selection in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. #WHLDraft pic.twitter.com/n2pDQPqIue

— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 12, 2023

Rudolph, on the other hand, is completely unphased by his top-ranked position following the draft. While clearly proud of his accomplishment on draft day, the blueliner also believes his overall status is just a number and that the race to become the best has only just begun.

“The feeling on that day was incredible. I don’t even know how to describe it. But, now it’s all over and doesn’t really matter. We’re all heading into our 16-year-old year at the same point, right? All trying to make a team. So, now it’s just gonna get to work and put that behind me,” Rudolph said.

However, he does admit that one message he received on draft day had him pinching himself.

“Definitely the coolest moment throughout the day [was that] Connor Bedard actually [messaged] me on Instagram and said, like, ‘Congratulations. Enjoy it.’ So, that was obviously really cool, as we all know he’s pretty special in the sport of hockey.”

Luckily for Rudolph, the 2008-born skater doesn’t have to chase championships by his lonesome. He’s joined by his best buddies and fellow first-round selections from the 2024 WHL Draft, Riley Boychuk (second overall) and Ty Meunier (seventh overall). Together, the 2008-born skaters make up a large portion of a youth movement rising in Prince Albert, Sask.

The trio are also united with first-round picks from the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, Brock Cripps (second overall) and Ben Harvey (fourth overall). And let’s not forget about NHL prospects and recent acquisitions, Lukas Dragicevic, Tomas Mrsic, and Norwin Panocha.

It’s the type of roster that Rudolph is proud to be a factor in.

“It’s so exciting. Every Western kid’s dream is to play in the WHL and maybe win a championship and just be a key player for your team. That being a possibility is just amazing.”

It’s also a lineup that has both Rudolph and Truitt bursting with excitement.

“The locker room is super tight and the guys are all good buddies, and I think that’s only going to help us win on the ice,” Rudolph shared. “I think we’re ready to win a championship.”

“Those types of impact players are guys that you want to build your franchise around and whatnot,” Truitt continued. “We think that we’ve got a great combination of the younger kids coming up, plus the veterans that are returning that went through a good year, last year.”

WHL Stars of Tomorrow – Daxon Rudolph

2023 1st overall pick in the #WHLDraft, Daxon Rudolph leads all defencemen in the #CSSHL U18 division in goals (21) and points (51).@PARaidersHockey | @CSSHL | @NAXHockey

Click to see Rudolph’s full report ⬇️

— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 7, 2024

While it’s easy to get caught up thinking about the team’s future, Rudolph admits that he has some more imminent matters to attend to first.

For starters, getting accustomed to the pace and speed that the WHL talent brings nightly is on his to-do list.

Not to mention his impending rookie lap at the Art Hauser Centre.

“The debut is very highly anticipated and super exciting for any kid. I mean, playing that first game is going to be a special night to have my family there,” Rudolph shared.

And, of course, a victory to kick off the season.

“Hopefully the Raiders come out on top.”

Rudolph and the Raiders kick off their 2024-25 regular season campaign on Friday, September 20 at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. MT.