Brayden Pachal got his wish for a larger role on a Western Hockey League blueline when he was traded to the Prince Albert Raiders last week.
The second-year WHL defenceman and a sixth-round pick in the 2017 bantam draft were traded to the Raiders by the Victoria Royals last Monday for rearguard Loch Morrison and a fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft. Pachal played 75 games over the past two seasons with the Royals recording one goal, nine points, 75 penalty minutes and a plus-two rating.
“I felt I wasn’t getting an opportunity that I wanted and maybe I deserved,” said Pachal, 17, who grew up playing minor hockey in Estevan. “So, I asked out of Victoria and asked if I could be traded to a place where I’d be a top guy and play a lot more and see a lot more opportunity.”
Pachal said the initial request for a trade was made right before Christmas, but it wasn’t until late last Sunday night that he found out the move had been made. He said the Royals had just got back from a trip to Prince George to face the Cougars when Victoria general manager and president Cameron Hope called to let him know he’d be heading to Prince Albert in the morning.
“It was just pack your suitcase, stay the night, say goodbye the next morning and on your way,” he said. “It’s bittersweet the trade. You’re leaving family back in Victoria, so it’s always sad saying goodbye to best friends that you make, but then again I’m coming to a new team and making 23 new ones.”
An old friend greeted Pachal when the six-foot and 194-pound defenceman first stepped onto the ice for practice with the Raiders on Tuesday morning. The young Raiders squad also includes 16-year-old Estevan forward Cole Fonstad, who most recently played regularly with Pachal on the Estevan bantam AA Bruins during the 2013-14 season.
Pachal said it’ll be a cool experience to share a junior hockey career with one of his best friends, but it still takes a while to get used to everything when coming to a new team. He said the coaching staff has helped that transition by pulling him aside to explain their game plan concerning the immediate and long-term expectations of him.
“They told me I would be a big part of the team,” said Pachal, who enjoyed five-on-five, special teams and overtime minutes in his first game with the Raiders last Wednesday. “Even though I’m young I’m going to play in situations that in Victoria I wasn’t and sometimes they’re going to get me out of my comfort zone.
“So, I think anytime you get more opportunity and more playing time you’re going to become better as a player and I just have to listen to what the coaching staff has to tell me and take their word and keep getting better.”
