Prince Albert, Saskatchewan – The Prince Albert Raiders are pleased to announce that Ray Dudra, who has been scouting for the past 25 years in the Western Hockey League, has joined their staff as a Provincial cross-over scout affective immediately. Dudra has been part of organizations that have qualified for the playoffs in 22 of the 25 years and won 4 Memorial Cup Championships.
Dudra began scouting in the WHL in 1983 with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Over the 7 years he was involved with the Tigers as their Head Scout, they made the playoffs each season, winning Memorial Cups in 1987 and 1988.
He joined the scouting staff of the Spokane Chiefs in 1991 as Head Scout and in 2004 was named the Director of Player Development for the Chiefs. During his 18 years with the Chiefs, the team made the playoffs 15 times, and won the Memorial Cup in 1991 and 2008.
From 1993 to 2001 current Raider Head Scout Dave O’Brien was part of the Spokane scouting staff.
“In the 8 years we worked together in Spokane, I learned that Ray has a great eye for the game, is meticulous and very opinionated,” commented O’Brien. “He works very well with others and is a perfect fit for our organization in a key position.”
“First and foremost I have to say that I really enjoyed my time with the Chiefs and am comfortable in the fact they did have some success while I was their Head Scout, namely two Memorial Cup wins in ‘91 and ’08, but I felt the time was right for me to move on,” said Dudra. “I have worked with Dave O’Brien, and have always been very comfortable with our relationship. Also I am tremendously impressed with the message being put forward by Head Coach and General Manager Bruno Campese. When I met with him I really liked what I heard, namely to do all the right things necessary to give the organization a chance to win a Division, League Championship and finally the Memorial Cup. All things being said, the fact that the Raiders wanted me to be a part of their game plan made it an easy decision for me to become a Raider.”
While the other Raider scouts under O’Brien concentrate on their home provinces, Dudra, who is based in Osoyoos, BC, will scout in all four Western provinces, along with O’Brien.
Dudra, along with the other Raider scouts, will be at the Art Hauser Centre when Training Camp begins Friday, August 22nd. |