Raiders forward Oli Chenier stares down Blades forward Zach Olsen ahead of the opening faceoff during the final game of the season last year. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nick Nielsen

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With a brand new 2025 East Division Championship banner hanging from the rafters of the Art Hauser Centre, the 2025-26 WHL is officially ready to begin as the Prince Albert Raiders take on the Saskatoon Blades tonight at the Art Hauser Centre.

Last year, the Raiders and Blades didn’t meet until the new year, after which they played each other eight times. The Raiders finished the season with a 4-3-1 (Win-Loss-Overtime/Shootout Loss) record, capped off by two wins in the final two games of the season that decided the East Division title in front of a sold out hometown crowd.

During the preseason, the Raiders and Blades met for four games with the Blades winning three, but two of the Raiders losses came in overtime and a shootout. The Raiders finished last year with a record of 39-23-6 to take the East Division title with 84 points, while the Blades finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 37-23-8 record, two points behind the Raiders.

Going into the game Friday night, the Raiders will be without three big pieces. Alisher Sarkenov is not expected to make his Raiders debut for the first two weeks of the season as his travel visa from Kazakhstan is a long process. The other two pieces missing are the newly acquired Max Heise who is away at camp with the San Jose Sharks, and last year’s captain Justice Christensen who earned a spot on the Detroit Red Wings camp.

For the Blades, they will be missing three big pieces as well. In goal, 20-year-old Evan Gardner is away at Columbus Blue Jackets camp. German-born 18-year-old forward David Lewandowski is gone to start the season at camp with the Edmonton Oilers, and 19-year-old right winger Hunter Laing will be away with the Calgary Flames.

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Looking at scoring leaders from the preseason, the Raiders were lead by three rookies: Brock Cripps lead the Raiders from the preseason with 1G-8A-9P, Ben Harvey finished with 2G-6A-8P, and Connor Howe with 5G-2A-7P.

For returning scorers, Aiden Oiring finished second in team scoring last year with 29G-56A-85P. Brayden Dube finished fourth from last year with 31G-36A-67P, and Justice Christensen finished seventh in team scoring with 22G-24A-46P.

As for the Blades, newly acquired Dominik Petr lead the Blades in preseason scoring with 2G-3A-5P in three games played. Tied with him was German forward Dustin Willhöft with 1G-4A-5P in four games, and the top three were rounded out in a tie with 20-year-old Tyler Parr and rookie Ben Bowtell at 2G-2A-4P each.

Tyler Parr also lead the Blades in scoring last year with 20G-41A-61P during last year’s campaign. The Blades will have all three of their top three scorers from last year return with Cooper Williams posting 21G-36A-57P, and Rowan Calvert adding 24G-29A-53P.

In goal, the Raiders are bringing in three goaltenders to start the year. Dimitri Fortin returns from last year looking to step into the role of starter with a save percentage (SV%) of 0.897% in two games during this year’s preseason, and a 2.59 goals against average (GAA). Czech born Michal Orsulak put up a 0.936 SV% and 1.99 GAA in two games, and Steele Bass put up a 0.909 SV% and a 2.03 GAA in three preseason games.

The Blades only have two goaltenders on the roster for opening night, and it looks like Ethan McCallum will be getting the start. He played two games in this year’s preseason, posting a 0.860 SV% and a 4.53 GAA. The other goaltender dressing on opening night is Taye Timmerman who posted a 0.932 SV% and 2.46 GAA in two preseason games.

The Raiders open the season against the Blades at home with a ceremony for the 2025 East Division Banner at 7:00 p.m. You can listen to all the action with Nick Nielsen and opening night guest colour commentator Trevor Redden starting with the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. on 900 CKBI.

There will be a pregame tailgate going on outside the Art Hauser Centre at 5:30 p.m., doors open into the rink at 6:00 p.m.

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nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com