Raiders Select Tikhon Chayka in 2021 CHL Import Draft
Prince Albert, SK – The Prince Albert Raiders selected 2003-born Belarusian goaltender Tikhon Chayka with the 53rd pick in the 2021 CHL Import Draft on Wednesday.
Chayka, a product of Minsk, Belarus, is listed at 6’0 and 154 lbs. He spent last season with Team Belarus U18 in Belarus’ Extraliga B, posting a 3.60 goals-against average and a 0.870 save percentage in 29 appearances.
At the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship in Texas, Chayka saw action in three games. He finished the tournament with a 2-1-0 record, 2.67 goals-against average and a 0.911 save percentage. His goals-against was the third best in the tournament. Chayka was named one of Belarus’ top-three players in the U18 World Championship.
“We liked Tikhon’s competitiveness, athleticism, and quickness,” said Raiders General Manager Curtis Hunt. “He had played in some great, meaningful games at the World U18s as he was part of the great run that Team Belarus had at the tournament. He was a big part of it. We have two teammates coming with him and [2020 CHL Import Draft Pick Uladzislau] Shyla. The next thing is to make sure we can get them into Canada safely as we prepare for next season.”
The Raiders have picked a player from Belarus in two of the last three CHL Import Drafts. Last season, they selected Uladzislau Shyla 45th overall; in 2018, the Raiders selected Aliaksei Protas 26th overall.
This also marks the first time the Raiders have selected a goaltender in the CHL Import Draft.
Season ticket information for the 2021-22 Regular Season has been mailed out to existing season ticket holders. The deadline to secure Early Bird Pricing is Wednesday, July 28. For more information, visit raiderhockey.com/season-tickets.
The Raiders open the 2021-22 season at the Art Hauser Centre on Friday, October 1 against the Regina Pats. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. For the full home schedule for the 2021-22 season, visit raiderhockey.com. The remainder of the schedule will be unveiled at a later date.
