Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Raiders Imports Selected to Represent Their Countries

Press Release


Prince Albert SK – Both Prince Albert Raiders import players, 19-year-old forward Jonas Knutsen and 17-year-old forward Leon Draisaitl, have been selected to represent their native countries at upcoming World Junior Championship events.

Knutsen will represent his home country of Norway at the Division I Under-20 World Championships in Amiens, France. The 6’, 180-pound left-winger participated in the tournament last year, finishing second in team scoring with 5 goals and 2 assists in 5 games en route to a silver medal. The Oslo product has 2 goals and 7 assists for the Raiders so far this season. Team Norway will begin the tournament on December 9th against the Austrians before taking on France, Belarus, Denmark and Slovenia.

Draisaitl, a native of Cologne, Germany, will play for his country in the World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia. The 6’1”, 198-pound centre represented his country at the World Under-17 Challenge and the World Under-18 Championships last year, leading Germany in scoring at both tournaments. Draisaitl currently sits tied for top spot in WHL rookie scoring with 23 points, including 7 goals and 16 assists, the most helpers among all new players. Germany begins the tournament on Boxing Day against Team Canada followed by games against the United Stated, Russia and Slovakia.  

Knutsen will depart to join his team on December 5th and will return to the Raiders on December 26th, while Draisaitl will head overseas on December 10th to unite with his teammates, and will travel back to Prince Albert on January 5th


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

No comments: