A couple of W-H-L trades to report from Monday afternoon, less than a week away from the start of the regular-season.
First, Prince Albert acquired 17-year-old Hayden Pakkala from Winnipeg for a ninth round pick in the 2021 Prospects Draft. Pakkala is from Okotoks, Alberta, was drafted by the ICE in the seventh round of the 2019 Prospects Draft and played in three pre-season games with Winnipeg without registering a point. The Raiders open the regular-season Friday when they host Regina.
In addition, a rare trade between U-S Division arch-rivals as Spokane sent 20-year-old defenceman Jordan Chudley to Tri-Cities for a ninth round selection in the 2022 Prospects Draft.
Following are news releases from P-A, the trade and vaccination verification…..
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Raiders Announce Further Details on Game Day Verification Program
Prince Albert, SK – Friday, October 1 marks the first game where mandatory masking as well as vaccination verification or a verified negative test will be needed to enter the Art Hauser Centre for a Prince Albert Raiders game. Through guidance and facilitation with health experts from the Ministry of Health, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and eHealth Saskatchewan, alongside the City of Prince Albert and the staff of the Art Hauser Centre, the Prince Albert Raiders have finalized the details of the vaccination verification program at the Art Hauser Centre.
Since this process is brand new, the Raiders leaned on the knowledge of Ministry officials and the SHA to ensure it addressed the needs from a health perspective, while also taking into consideration the game-day experience of its fans and ensuring the smoothest process possible to assist getting them into the arena to enjoy the game.
- Fans age 12 and over must be able to verify they have received two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines (or a mixture of two) or a single dose of Johnson and Johnson to be permitted to enter the Art Hauser Centre.
- The COVID-19 Vaccination Record available through eHealth Saskatchewan’s individual MySaskHealthRecord account is the preferred vaccination record for entry and will provide the smoothest verification process on game day. The Raiders recommend having the QR code displayed, a digital copy or screen capture on a smartphone ready for game day. For more information on the MySaskHealthRecord QR Codes, click here.
- Fans 18 and older will be required to present photo ID matching the name on the vaccination record. Fans aged 12-17 will be required to show their vaccine record, but not photo ID.
- Fans under the age of 12 are exempt from the policy but must be accompanied by an adult to enter the arena.
- Other documents such as the immunization wallet card received at the time of vaccination, COVID immunization records from public health, Armed Forces records or out of province/out of country proof of vaccination will also be accepted.
- Stick it to Covid vaccine stickers will not be accepted as proof of vaccination.
Prairie Industrial Health Services will be set up outside the Art Hauser Centre and patrons can be tested on the spot and if a negative test is established, will be permitted into the Art Hauser Centre. Costs for the test will be $25 per test. Patrons can also book an appointment online at www.pihsprinceabert.com or by calling 306-980-9133 with Prairie Industrial Health Services (2333-A 2nd Ave W) on Thursday, September 30 or Friday, October 1 and be tested at their office.
To protect the privacy of fans, the Prince Albert Raiders will not be retaining or storing any medical information or proof of vaccination from its ticket holders. Therefore, fans must be able to present the information stated above at each Raiders home game.
For Season Ticket Holders with further information, please click this link and a member of the Raiders Office will be in contact.
For Immediate Release
Monday, September 27, 2021
Raiders Acquire Hayden Pakkala from Winnipeg
Prince Albert, SK – The Prince Albert Raiders have acquired 2004-born forward Hayden Pakkala from the Winnipeg ICE in exchange for a ninth-round pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
Pakkala, an Okotoks, AB product, was drafted by the ICE in the seventh round of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft. The 6’0, 190-lb forward signed his WHL Standard Player Agreement with Winnipeg in May of 2020.
This WHL Pre-Season, Pakkala suited up in three games for the ICE. He had three shots on goal with a plus-two rating and two penalty minutes.
The forward started the 2020-21 season with Okotoks U18 AAA Oilers of the Alberta Elite Hockey League. He had two goals and two assists in the COVID-shortened season.
In his last full campaign in 2019-20, Pakkala had 34 goals and 58 assists in 35 games in his first season at the U16 AAA level with Okotoks in the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League (AMMHL). He added three goals and eight assists in five playoff games for the Oilers.
Pakkala was named AMMHL’s Best Forward in 2019-20 while topping the league with 58 assists and 92 points.
The Raiders are back in action on Friday night for the 2021-22 Home Opener Presented By 900 CKBI and Great Western Brewing against the Regina Pats. Game time is 7 p.m. Single-game tickets are available now at SaskTix.ca.
