Raiders Sign Former Viper Andrusiak:

The Western Hockey League Prince Albert
Raiders have signed former Vernon Vipers forward Zach Andrusiak.

The Vipers signed Andrusiak October 1st 2015 after being released from the WHL Tri-City Americans. Andrusiak played in 11 games picking up two assists before being released November 5th 2015. Andrusiak signed with the KIJHL North Okanagan Knights before being traded to the Kamloops Storm November 12th 2015.

Zach Andrusiak's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=247479

This was posted on Gregg Drinnan's Blog:

Saturday, September 24, 2016

The Prince Albert Raiders have signed F Zack Andrusiak, an 18-year-old list player from Yorkton, Sask. He had 51 points, including 32 goals, in 32 games with the junior B Kamloops Storm last season. He also played in 15 games with the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers, recording two assists. In 2014-15, he was pointless in seven games with the Tri-City Americans, while putting up 38 points, 14 of
them goals, in 37 games with the junior B North Okanagan Knights. . . . He is a nephew of former Seattle Thunderbirds assistant coach Perry Andrusiak, who also did a stint as the Regina Pats’ assistant GM.

This was in the PA Now Newspaper:

Andrusiak was an everywhere man, but wants to settle in P.A.

By Jeff D'Andrea

September 13, 2016

He may only be 18 years old, but the term 'journeyman' fits Prince Albert Raiders prospect Zack Andrusiak quite literally.

Just in the last two years, Andrusiak played for five different teams in three different levels of junior hockey out in B.C. and Washington. That includes seven WHL games, when Andrusiak broke in with the Tri-City Americans in the 2014-2015 season.

Andrusiak hopes his next stop will be in Prince Albert with the Raiders. Coming into camp as an undrafted, 18-year-old free agent, Andrusiak is on the verge of making the club and making a welcome return to his home province after two years to bouncing from dressing room to dressing room.

“It was crazy. The last few years have been a whirlwind,” Andrusiak said, after scoring 32 goals in as many games with the Kamloops Storm Junior B club. “I’ve been all over the place. It was real tough, too. I just finished up school last year, so trying to get that done and being all over the place in different cities and everything, it was pretty difficult.

“But it was fun, I got to meet lots of new people and make lots of new friends in different places.”

This season, Andrusiak has a chance to return to his home province and see some old, familiar faces. Having been brought up in Yorkton before moving to Armstrong, B.C. five years ago, Andrusiak is hopeful he can reconnect with his Saskatchewan roots. He’s already started to this pre-season.

“It’s been really fun. I’m originally from Saskatchewan, so it’s fun to be back,” Andrusiak said. “I’m playing in front of a lot of family and friends. It’s good to have my grandparents back in the stands.

“The team’s been real good so far, I love it here. It’s been lots of fun.”

It’s still not a certainty that he will be on the Raiders, but he’s made a convincing case for himself. Andrusiak has a goal and an assist in three WHL pre-season games, while showing the ability to kill penalties and fill defensive roles.

“That’s still up in the air, but he’s right in the mix with a bunch of young guys,” Raiders assistant coach Brandin Cote said. “He’s had the experience at the junior level already. I think if he continues to progress and improve every day the way he has, he’s going to be right there at the end of the day.

“Zack’s a real good kid. He’s—I don’t want to say a surprise—but there’s always the one or two players that you don’t really expect to get to where he is at this point,” Cote added. “He’s definitely earned the right to be here still.”