Raiders Win Three WHL Awards
May 1, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince Albert Raiders News Release
Prince Albert, SK - Three members of the Prince Albert Raiders organization won their respective awards at the 2019 WHL Awards ceremony at the Cambridge Hotel in Red Deer, AB.
General Manager Curtis Hunt was the recipient of the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy as WHL Executive of the Year.
"It's humbling. You're voted by your peers and it's a group of gentlemen I really respect," Hunt said at the ceremony. "The second part is I think it's indicative of our organization as a whole. We're a small group and I think it's the job Marc Habscheid does and our coaching staff, and Mike Scissons and our business staff, and now led by Curt Brownlee, our scouting staff. It's nice."
Hunt is in his fourth season as General Manger with the Raiders, building a team that captured the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions with a record of 54-10-2-2. During this season, Hunt added impactful pieces to the roster with Dante Hannoun and Noah Gregor. In previous years, he added the likes of captain Brayden Pachal, Brett Leason, Max Martin, and Sergei Sapego who have made significant contributions to the team.
"It really started three years ago and actually I share this with Ron Gunville and his family and the terrific support. Unfortunately he's watching from afar, but to see these kids, we've gone through a lot together. We've had some tough nights and some long nights, but things seem to fall in to place and (it's) a terrific job by our coaching staff and the kids to make it happen every night."
Head Coach Marc Habscheid was the winner of the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the WHL Coach of the Year.
"It's a great job we have," Habscheid said. "It's a privilege to be in this league. I just think with the job that Ron (Robison) and Richard (Doerksen) and everyone does in the league, it's such a good league and I think it's just special to be in the league."
Habscheid had a milestone year during his 15th season as a head coach in the WHL. He recorded his 500th career WHL win as a head coach and was the bench boss in his 1,000th career game. He now ranks eighth all-time among WHL coaches in wins.
"They're a special group, they really are. We faced some adversity this year. There's been some tragedies in our organization for losing people like Ronnie and Donn Clark and Adam Herold played for us for a little bit last year. I think that's bound the group together."
This is the second time Habscheid has been named the WHL Coach of the Year. He previously won the award in 2003 as the head coach of the Kelowna Rockets.
The final WHL Awards winner of the afternoon for the Raiders was Ian Scott claiming the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy as the WHL Goaltender of the Year.
"It's a very special honour," said Scott. "I wouldn't be up here without all the boys back home in Prince Albert who have bought in every night for me."
In his fourth year as a Raider, Scott set new career highs in wins (38), goals-against average (1.83), save percentage (0.932%), and shutouts. The goals-against average, save percentage, and shutout total were all franchise records for the Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick. He also suited up for Team WHL at the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series and Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
"I'd like to thank Mike Brodeur and Kelly Guard, along with Marc Habscheid and Curtis (Hunt), and my billets and parents. They've supported me and watched me grow on and off the ice as a person. They've helped a lot."
Jakob Brook was also up for the Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy as the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, but Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips was the recipient of the award.
The Raiders are back on the ice on Friday night to kick off the 2019 Rogers WHL Championship Series at the Art Hauser Centre. Game 1 of the series begins at 7 p.m.
Western Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2019
- WHL to Host 2019 #WHLBantamDraft Thursday in Red Deer - Winnipeg Ice
- WHL to Host 2019 WHL Bantam Draft Thursday in Red Deer - WHL
- Silvertips Organization Named Recipient of WHL Business of the Year Award - Everett Silvertips
- Silvertips Goaltender Dustin Wolf Named WHL Scholastic Player of the Year - Everett Silvertips
- WHL Announces 2018-19 Award Winners - WHL
- WHL Goaltender of the Year Scott Credits Coaches, Teammates for Great Season - Red Deer Rebels
- RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation Surpasses $460,000 Raised - WHL
- Raiders Win Three WHL Awards - Prince Albert Raiders
- Tri-City to Take Part in 2019 WHL Bantam Draft Thursday - Tri-City Americans
- Winterhawks Receive Two WHL Awards - Portland Winterhawks
- Ty Smith Named WHL Defenseman of the Year - Spokane Chiefs
- Will Warm Named WHL Humanitarian of the Year - Edmonton Oil Kings
- WHL to Host 2019 Bantam Draft on Thursday - Tri-City Americans
- Ahead of the Draft Presented by Canad Inns: ICE Prospects Who Made Their WHL Debut During the 2018-19 Season - Winnipeg Ice
- Wheat Kings Prepare for Bantam Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
