Raiden LeGall, former star goaltender of the Niverville Nighthawks, has just wrapped up his first season in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
The 18-year-old from Morden played in the provincial U18 league with the Pembina Valley Hawks for two seasons before joining the Nighthawks. He spent year and a half in Niverville as a top netminder.
Because of his strong play with the Nighthawks, LeGall committed to Bemidji State University, a prestigious NCAA Division I university to which he received a scholarship.
“I had a few schools I was talking to but eventually decided on Bemidji,” he says. “I got a chance to go down there for a visit, and the way things were run and the personnel were all great. It was just a really nice city and school. As well as the rink and facilities were unreal. Another plus was that it’s so close to home, and I would be able to have family and friends come down to visit and watch games.”
After starting this past season with Niverville, LeGall benefited from a recent NCAA rule change that now allows players to play in both the top level of junior hockey (WHL) and college hockey (NCAA).
“After the NCAA rule changed, it happened pretty quickly,” LeGall says. “My agent had already talked about it. Like, if the rule were to change, would I be interested in going to the WHL? And I definitely was. So as soon as it did change, I was on a flight to Everett within a few days, since their goalie was out with a shoulder injury and they needed someone to fill in while he was out.”
LeGall took on the starting goalie’s job with the Everett Silvertips right from the start and went on to have a phenomenal rookie season in the WHL. He put up a 16–2–4 record with a .921 save percentage and 2.17 goals-against average.
“I was definitely pumped to come out to Everett, as it was my dream as a kid to play in the WHL. For me to be able to do that, as well as go to school down the road, is pretty special and it’s definitely lived up to my expectations so far. Throughout the season, I started to find my confidence at this level. And I think that was the biggest part for me: realizing that I can play and compete at this level. More starts came with that confidence.”
LeGall’s season ended earlier this week in the second round of the WHL playoffs when the Silvertips fell in Game 7 to the Portland Winterhawks. LeGall was in net for that vital game.
Looking back on the success he’s had this season, LeGall is very thankful for his time in Niverville. He says that he learned a lot while playing at the MJHL level, and those skills have helped him in Everett.
“I feel like Niverville was a huge stepping stone for me,” he says. “I was able to get used to the junior hockey schedule and style of play, which made coming here a lot easier. But I think the bigger part for me was being away from home, as Niverville was only about an hour and a half away from Morden. So it was a great way for me to learn what it’s like to be a part of a billet family and what it’s like being away from home… I really feel like that’s made the transition to coming out to Everett, Washington a lot easier for me.”
LeGall’s plans for next season are still up in the air. It’s not yet decided whether he will come back to Everett or start college at Bemidji State. One thing that might tilt the decision is whether LeGall hears his name called at the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
“I’m not 100 percent sure what my plans are, but I know for sure I’d be really pumped to come back to Everett next year.”