The Prince Albert Raiders are a major junior ice hockey team that competes in the Western Hockey League (WHL) of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The club is based in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, and plays its home games at the Innovation Centre (formerly known as the Art Hauser Centre).
History
- Founding and early years: The Raiders were founded in 1971 as a Junior A club in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). The team won the SJHL championship and the national Centennial Cup in 1979 before moving to the WHL for the 1982‑83 season.
- WHL entry: Upon joining the WHL, the Raiders quickly became competitive, winning the league’s President’s Cup (regular‑season title) in 1985 and 1986.
- Championships: The franchise captured its first WHL championship in the 1984‑85 season and repeated in 1985‑86. The Raiders won the Memorial Cup, the CHL’s national championship, in 1985, defeating the Shawinigan Cataractes in the final.
Team performance
Since joining the WHL, the Raiders have qualified for the playoffs in the majority of seasons and have appeared in the WHL championship series multiple times. Their most recent WHL championship appearance occurred in the 2022‑23 season, where they advanced to the finals but were defeated by the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Notable alumni
The Raiders have produced numerous players who advanced to professional levels, including the National Hockey League (NHL). Prominent alumni include:
- Mike Modano – Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame; played primarily for the Dallas Stars.
- Scott Hartnell – Forward who played over 1,100 NHL games with teams such as the Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Flyers.
- Tyler Bozak – Center who spent several seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues.
- Marty Turco – Goaltender known for his tenure with the Dallas Stars, including a Vezina Trophy finalist season.
Arena
The team’s home venue, the Innovation Centre, seats approximately 2,800 spectators for hockey events and features modern amenities following renovations completed in 2018.
Community involvement
The Raiders are active in community outreach within Prince Albert, hosting youth hockey programs, school visits, and charitable events such as food drives and fundraisers for local organizations.
Affiliations
As a WHL franchise, the Raiders are part of the broader CHL structure, which serves as a primary development pathway for players aspiring to professional hockey careers. The team maintains relationships with local minor hockey associations and senior teams in Saskatchewan.
Current status
As of the 2023‑24 WHL season, the Prince Albert Raiders remain a competitive club in the league’s East Division, coached by Jeff Truitt and captained by forward Dylan McGowan. Their roster comprises primarily players aged 16 to 20, many of whom are eligible for the NHL Entry Draft.
