It's been quite the year for both Cole Fonstad and Brayden Pachal with the Western Hockey League's Prince Albert Raiders.

The pair from Estevan has been making noise since their days in the Estevan Minor Hockey system, and it now continues in the WHL. Following a summer where Pachal was invited to Ottawa Senators development camp and a season where Fonstad garnered attention from the National Hockey League, their strong seasons were recognized last Friday during the Raiders awards night.

Pachal received the nod for Players Choice as voted on by his teammates, along with the Best Conditioned award. The Raiders assistant captain has enjoyed a career year on defense, potting 7 goals and 19 assists in 68 games, to go along with 100 penalty minutes. After getting traded to the Raiders last season from the Victoria Royals, Pachal's career in the WHL took off after getting a fresh start with a new organization.

Cole Fonstad smashed his rookie scoring totals during his second season with the Prince Albert Raiders. Photo: Chudleigh Apollo Multimedia

As for Fonstad, the accolades continue to roll in for the NHL draft eligible forward. The 17-year-old received the teams Most Improved award, to go with his Molson Three Stars - Second Star award. Along with Pachal, it's been a career year for Fonstad who shot up the NHL draft rankings on his way to an appearance in the Canadian Hockey League's Top Prospects game. Playing in all 72 games for the Raiders, Fonstad found the back of the net 21 times to pair with his team leading 52 assists.

Rattling off nine straight wins near the end of the regular season pushed the Prince Albert Raiders into the final wild card spot in the WHL's eastern conference. Their first round playoff series will see some more local flavor from the south east corner of the province, with Oxbow's Tanner Jeannot suiting up for the power house Moose Jaw Warriors.