Rudolph stepping up in WHL playoffs and rising up NHL draft lists

The Prince Albert Raiders are in the Western Hockey League final and Daxon Rudolph is a big reason why. The right-shot defenceman leads the playoffs in scoring with 23 points in 15 games.

“A lot of it comes from team success,” said Rudolph, who is also tied for third overall with nine goals in the playoffs. “But, for myself, I’m just playing with confidence, playing with swagger and that’s the biggest thing.”

Rudolph has hit the scoresheet in 13 of 15 playoff games and has landed a shot on net in each outing. He leads the WHL playoffs with 73 shots on net, which is nine more than anyone else.

Rudolph will look to stay hot on Friday night when the Raiders open the WHL championship series against the top-seeded Everett Silvertips. You can watch the entire series on TSN.

“He’s such a skilled player,” said Silvertips defenceman Landon DuPont, who has recorded 17 points in 13 playoff games. “He just sees the game so well and you can tell the game slows down for him. He can see things that almost no one on the ice can see. It’s going to be fun playing against him.”

DuPont breaks into a big smile.

“Hopefully we can limit him to, you know, maybe a goal or two instead of three,” the 16-year-old added.

DuPont is not eligible for the NHL draft until next year, but Rudolph will hear his name called next month in Buffalo. The 18-year-old from Lacombe, Alta. is surging up draft lists thanks to his playoff performance, which came on the heels of an impressive 28-goal, 50-assist regular season.

NHL Central Scouting placed Rudolph fifth on its final list of North American skaters. TSN director of scouting Craig Button has the 6-foot-3, 206-pound blueliner going seventh overall to the Seattle Kraken in his post-lottery mock draft.

“I’m definitely a super competitive kid and want to go as high as I possibly can and continue to work towards that,” Rudolph said. “But, that being said, I try not to focus on the rankings and things like that too, too much.”

During a conversation with TSN, Rudolph revealed what led to his goal-scoring spike this season and shared why Drew Doughty is a big role model. The following is an edited transcript of the interview.

TSN: When you’re playing with swagger, what does it look like?

Rudolph: Confidence with the puck. You’re just kind of playing rather than thinking about the game. You’re just playing the game and making reads like you would.

TSN: What do you like about big games and big moments?

Rudolph: That’s the best part of hockey. That’s why you play the game. We’re in the playoffs, heading to the WHL finals this weekend, so very exciting moments. It’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I think the best players step up in those moments and really separate themselves from others.

TSN: How do you deal with pressure?

Rudolph: Try not to think about it too much and just play the game. Obviously, there’s a lot of nerves leading up to the game and puck drop and the crowd’s roaring and things like that. But once that first puck hits the ice, it’s just a game of hockey that you’ve loved since you were a young kid. At the end of the day, it’s just playing and not really thinking about it.

TSN: During the Eastern Conference final against Medicine Hat, you guys trailed 2-1. In Game 4 on the road, you scored twice and added two assists in a big win. What allowed you and the team to turn the tide?

Rudolph: That’s definitely a massive game. I thought we deserved to win Game 3, actually, outshot them, outplayed them, and they ended up winning it in overtime. So, that was a tough one for our group. But right after that game, our leadership group [Rudolph serves as an alternate captain] got everyone in and said, ‘Hey, we have to do it tomorrow. Like, we can’t go back 3-1.’ Just stepping up for that game was massive and that was our mindset for the 24 hours leading up to it. So, definitely a big game for us and that changed the series.

TSN: Medicine Hat knocked you out last year, how much did that motivate you this year?

Rudolph: Yeah, 100 per cent, definitely motivated us a lot. We’ve had some good battles with them over the past couple of years. They did sweep us in the second round of last year’s playoffs before they ended up winning it all. I definitely still remembered that feeling after and a little bit of revenge.

TSN: What will the series with Everett be like?

Rudolph: Tons of elite players on that team. They’re just a really good, hardworking team. They’ve been doing it all year long and obviously finished first in the league. We got the chance to play them only one time this year and we ended up winning. It’ll be a really good matchup. Both teams really like to play with pace and play a hard, detailed game.

TSN: What stands out to you about DuPont?

Rudolph: I’ve been lucky enough to know him for a while now. He’s actually one of my good buddies in the summer. It’ll be cool playing against him. What he does on the ice is so incredible. I think the biggest thing with him is he’s such a good skater. He moves up and down the ice so well and makes so many good decisions. He’s definitely a player we’ll have to key in on and someone I’m looking forward to going up against.

TSN: What would a WHL title mean to you?

Rudolph: It’d mean everything. It’s been a goal of mine ever since I stepped into this league and to know that it’s a possibility and really close to getting there this year, it’s super exciting. Ever since training camp this year, we knew we had a chance, and as we get closer and closer, it’s just getting more exciting. To bring a championship back to the city and this community that supports us so well, it’d mean everything to me.

TSN: How would you describe your game?

Rudolph: I’m a 200-foot, two-way D-man. I like contributing offensively and have a skill set to make plays, but really take pride in my D-zone and defending hard as well.

TSN: Who did you cheer for growing up?

Rudolph: I cheered for Pittsburgh because of Sidney Crosby. He was always my idol. He’s just such a great role model. He has leadership skills. Everything he does is very classy and kind of like no other. You hear lots of stories about his leadership and just the kind of person he is. So, definitely a good role model for me and someone I’ve just always looked up to.

TSN: Who’s your NHL role model in terms of play style?

Rudolph: Guys that I see myself in are Drew Doughty, Charlie McAvoy, and Brock Faber a little bit as well. Those are guys that do it all at both ends of the ice and are big, right-shot D-men as well.

TSN: What do you appreciate the most when you watch Doughty?

Rudolph: Just the completeness to his game. He does it all. He’s won Cups. He defends hard. He contributes offensively and can play on the power play. He just plays in every situation and at a really high level and that’s what I like most about him.

TSN: Where do you feel like you’ve improved the most this season?

Rudolph: My shot is probably a big area. Yeah, that’s something I’ve really focused on is just getting into better scoring areas to put the puck in the net more often, and I think it’s really paid off. And then my foot speed. I know as you go up in levels, the game gets faster and players are more skilled so just being able to get better at skating and kind of close area and close time and space for those offensive forwards.

TSN: What are the areas of the ice that you’ve been trying to get to more?

Rudolph: Rather than staying at the blueline, I’m just trying to get downhill to the slot area, attacking on different routes and patterns so the goalie isn’t set as much. I think that’s the biggest piece. So, yeah, just trying to get into that slot, the mid-range area is what we call it, rather than just shooting from the blueline all the time.

TSN: It’s certainly working as you increased your goal total from seven to 28. What’s your favorite goal of the season?

Rudolph: Hmm, I would say maybe one in the playoffs. Probably one of the two goals against Medicine Hat in Game 4. I think just the moment was so big and such an important game for us, so to be able to contribute and score in the first period and get the guys on the board was huge. That’s probably my favourite as of right now.

TSN: I asked you about goals, but I’m curious about your first WHL fight against Saskatoon’s Cooper Williams. What happened there?

Rudolph: Yeah, I did get into one this year (smile). I was already getting a penalty, which I wasn’t happy about. I cross-checked him and saw the refs’ arm go up so I was pretty frustrated. I was like, ‘May as well take him with me,’ kind of thing. I challenged him and he dropped them with me. It wasn’t really much of a fight. It was the first for both of us. Yeah, it was good and glad it happened.

TSN: Did you prepare in any way for the potential of fighting?

Rudolph: Ah, no, not really. We talk about it in the room and stuff and mess with each other sometimes with the guys, but no real coaching or anything like that.

TSN: What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career?

Rudolph: The biggest setback so far for myself was probably a little injury my first year of u15, which had me out for four weeks. My shoulder, I hurt my AC joint, and that’s really the only time I’ve ever had to be away from the game of hockey. Just watching my team play was super tough, more mentally than physically, honestly. I just learned to just stick with it and try to stay positive. I mean, it’s not the end of the world if you have a minor setback like that.

TSN: How do you deal with the mental side of things in general?

Rudolph: When I’m at the rink, I’m super focused on hockey. I do a bunch of video away from the rink as well, but just getting away from it and spending time with your teammates and friends is really beneficial as well. Just kind of to maybe turn that switch off a little bit and be a guy and be with your buddies.

TSN: How have you handled this being your draft year?

Rudolph: It’s definitely been a busy year with lots of stuff going on for myself, obviously. But it’s been a lot of fun. I’m very lucky to be in the situation I am in and I just enjoy all the experiences I’ve gotten to be a part of. I just take it one day at a time. During the season, I try not to worry about the draft too much and just focus on getting better every day and focus on what’s important here in PA with the Raiders.