(Supplied/NAX)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

prince albert raiders

Lacombe’s Daxon Rudolph “ready to work” after first overall selection at WHL Prospects Draft

May 12, 2023 | 1:36 PM

A Lacombe hockey player is making his hometown very proud after going first overall in Thursday’s WHL Prospects Draft.

Daxon Rudolph, a very offensive defenseman, was taken by the Prince Albert Raiders. The Raiders had previously acquired the first selection in a trade with Edmonton, and also selected second overall.

Rudolph, born in 2008, turned 15 in March.

He had 17 goals and 33 assists for 50 points in his 30 games with the Northern Alberta Xtreme (NAX) U15 Prep squad this past season. He also scored four goals in five games at the Alberta Cup, held late April in Red Deer.

The season prior, Rudolph put up two goals and 22 assists in 24 games for the Red Deer Rebels U15AA club.

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“This means a lot to me. Growing up in western Canada and playing hockey, I think it’s everyone’s dream to go high in the Prospects Draft. It’s super exciting and I’m super excited to get to work,” he said to rdnewsNOW between classes at NAX in Devon on Friday.

“I know the Raiders love to work, they have a great development program, and there are lots of good character guys in that locker room, so I think I’ll fit in great.”

Rudolph’s will in all likelihood be back at NAX for one more season, he says, before making the leap to the Western Hockey League full-time in fall 2024 when he’s 16.

Listed at 5’11” and 161 lbs, Rudolph says he models his game somewhat after Adam Fox and Drew Doughty.

“I’m an offensive defenseman who moves the puck well, and moves his feet very well,” he says. “But the best part of my game is my IQ, and the way I can see the ice. I always have my head up and love making plays as well.”

For more on the results of the WHL Prospects Draft and the WHL U.S. Priority Draft, visit our Red Deer Rebels page.

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