There was a surprise change of minds in Prince Albert last week.
The Raiders brought 20-year-old goaltender Jesse Deckert, who was released prior to the overager cutdown date, back into the fold. Defenseman Cole Simpson, who originally made the team instead of Deckert, was released to make room.
Deckert was a surprise cut by Prince Albert. He came into the season as the Raiders’ undisputed top goaltender after going 19-20-1-2 with a 2.70 goals against average and .909 save percentage last season.
However, when defenseman A.J. Thelen, who was expected to play professionally this season as a 20-year-old, was unexpectedly returned to the team, it left the Raiders in a bind that led to Deckert’s release.
The Raiders had decided to go with 17-year-olds David Aime and Tyler Esau in goal this season. However, both struggled, as did Simpson, prompting Prince Albert to seek Deckert’s return.
“We really like both young guys, but it became apparent that neither was ready to be the go-to guy just yet,” Prince Albert general manager Donn Clark told the Prince Albert Herald. “So we began the process to get another goalie and Jesse was the best one available.”
However, the process of getting Deckert back wasn’t that simple. Deckert had joined the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League and reportedly signed a written agreement to remain with the team the entire season.
Deckert left Salmon Arm, and the Silverbacks suspended him for jumping the team, a suspension the Western Hockey League upheld until the Raiders and the Silverbacks reached an agreement on compensation. The nature of that compensation was not disclosed.
Slap shots: The Edmonton expansion franchise that joins the WHL next season will be called the Oil Kings. The name is a familiar one as the Edmonton franchise that played in the WHL from 1966-76 was also known as the Oil Kings before moving to Portland to become the Winter Hawks. … The condition of Moose Jaw forward Garrett Robinson, who suffered severe head injuries in an automobile accident on Oct. 22, has improved. Robinson, who was moved to the Royal Columbia Hospital in New Westminster, B.C., was upgraded from critical to stable condition, and last Wednesday he spoke for the first time since the accident. … The Stanley Cup visited Kennewick last Saturday as Tri-City held a fundraiser for the Carson Kolzig Foundation for children’s autism. … The league came down hard on Kamloops left wing Travis Dunstall, suspending him seven games for the checking-from-behind hit that left Everett’s Damir Alic with a separated shoulder. … Red Deer left wing Ted Vandemeer was named the WHL Player of the Week. Vandemeer had five goals and an assist in two games, both Red Deer victories.
League leaders: Points – Codey Burki (Brandon) 38; goals – Burki, Mark Derlago (Brandon), Kris Hogg (Lethbridge) 18; assists – David Schlemko (Medicine Hat) 26; penalty minutes – Mike Gauthier (Prince Albert) 121; wins – Leland Irving (Everett), Matt Keetley (Medicine Hat) 14; goals against average – Irving 1.41; save percentage – Irving .940.
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