For a second straight day the Prince Albert Raiders have made a significant move on their blueline for the upcoming season.

P-A dealt last season’s captain, 20-year-old defenceman Eric Johnston, to Swift Current for a third round choice in the 2028 W-H-L Prospects Draft. The move allows the Raiders to bring in more young defence prospects onto their 2024-25 roster and leaves them with goaltender Max Hildebrand, defenceman Easton Kovacs plus forward Niall Crocker as 20-year-olds with Polish import Krzysztof Macias as a potential 20. On Wednesday, Prince Albert swung a seven-asset deal with Tri-Cities, the central figures being Lukas Dragicevic coming to the Raiders and Terrell Goldsmith going to the Americans. Following is the news release from the Raiders…..

The Prince Albert Raiders dealt away captain Eric Johnston to the Swift Current Broncos on Thursday, acquiring a third round pick in the 2028 WHL Prospects Draft in return.

Johnston is heading into his final WHL season, and served as the Raiders captain in the 2023-24 campaign.

“This was a tough one to make because he’s such a quality person,” Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt said. “Eric was a great leader for us. Unfortunately, we can only carry three overage players. We’re excited for the opportunity that lies ahead for him, and we’re going to see him quite a bit at the Hauser over the next year. We wish him nothing but the best of luck.”

In 192 career games, the Regina, SK product scored 10 goals, and added 40 assists for 50 points. The defenceman was acquired by the Raiders in the 2021-22 season from Edmonton as part of the deal that sent Kaiden Guhle to the Oil Kings.

Johnston played 173 regular season games as a Raider, as well as 10 playoff contests.