Four Former Raiders Looking to Make a Run for the Cup
Four former Prince Albert Raiders are looking to make a splash in the 2012 National Hockey League playoffs that begin tonight.
Defenceman Chris Phillips and the team that took him 1st overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, the Ottawa Senators, will entertain the New York Rangers in their first round matchup that begins tomorrow night in the Big Apple. In 93 games with the Green and Gold, the Calgary, Alberta native recorded 13 goals and 53 assists along with 155 penalty minutes. Phillips recently became only the 2nd player in Senator history to play 1000 games with the Senators.
Two former Raiders, Kyle Chipchura and Dave Tippet, will look to propel the Phoenix Coyotes past the first round of the playoffs for the first time. Tippet, a native of Moosomin, Saskatachewan spent 2 seasons with the Raiders from 1979-1981, scoring 95 goals and 140 assists en route to a Centennial Cup Championship. Tippet went on to play 721 NHL games before making the transition to coaching, and this season led Phoenix to their first division title in team history.
Kyle Chipchura recorded 16 points in 53 games with the ‘Yotes this season. In 216 games with Prince Albert, Chipchura scoring 59 goals and 106 assists. He also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2006 World Junior Championships. The product of Vimy, AB product, as well as Tippet, will take on the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks beginning tomorrow night in the Glendale.
However, the former Raider getting the most attention will likely be forward Scott Hartnell, as his Philadelphia Flyers take on their state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hartnell spent 2 seasons with the Raiders, notching 37 goals and 89 assists before being drafted 6th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Hartnell set a new career high this season, recording 37 goals and 67 points and appearing in his first NHL All-Star game.
