To many, seeing the Prince Albert Raiders in top spot in the Western Hockey League east division standings is a great sign.

Especially those from Humboldt who have been following the path of Reid Gardiner. The 19 year-old winger is leading the team in scoring with 17 goals and 20 assists, good enough for the WHL's top five.

Although very pleased with his start to the campaign, the former Saskatoon Contact standout is even more satisfied with the Raiders 15-5-2-1 record.

"We've had good teams in the past but just haven't lived up to expectations. This year is different, I think we have a new mindset and we're trying to change the culture and become a winning organization and everybody is starting to buy into the program set for us. It's been really fun, we've been winning here and the community is really rallying around us."

Taking notice of his start to the year as well as the Raiders, the executives of Team WHL made Gardiner an injury replacement for the squad as the WHL took on a team of Russians in the Canada-Russia Super Series in Kamloops and Kelowna. Gardiner filled in for Kelowna's Rourke Chartier.

"It was a very special day for myself and my family, it was a very, very cool experience. To play on national television against the Russians was very cool and we got treated very good. I just wanted to go and have fun and play my game and I accomplished both of those things."

He chipped in with a pair of assists in back to back WHL victories. The Russians also meet all-star squads from the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League as part of a tune up for the World Under 19 Championships. Gardiner said it would be an honour to get the call for that particular Hockey Canada camp.

"It would obviously be a huge honour. Anytime you are involved with a Hockey Canada event it's very special and you want to represent your country with pride. Just a chance to even go to that camp would be very special."

Speaking of special, earlier this season in exhibition action against Regina, Gardiner faced off with his younger brother Erik, a blue chip prospect of the Regina Pats.

"It was fun, we lined up against each other a few times," the eldest Gardiner continued. "Growing up you are always playing downstairs against each other whether it was stick-handling a golf ball or shooting pucks or whatever we've always kind of battled each other and to do it in a real game on ice is something I will never forget."

Erik was one of the last cuts of the Pats and has since returned to the PA Minitos of the Saskatchewan AAA Midget ranks, he is the captain of the Mintos as a 16 year-old and lives with his older sibling at his billet's home.

Now in his fourth year and still eyeing that National Hockey League deal, Gardiner is continuing to keep focused on the task at hand. In fact the Raiders are red hot taking points in four straight games and winning three of them. In those contests, Gardiner has five goals and four assists including a four point night Saturday in an overtime win against the Pats.

"My mindset is really good right now, I have been in the league for three years and a bit, I have seen it all. I just want to keep having fun with the game and just keep coming to the rink and loving it everyday."

The Raiders host the Calgary Hitmen on Tuesday night at the Art Hauser Centre.

You can hear more from Gardiner in his interview with Bolt FM's Clark Stork below.

Interview was recorded, Tuesday, November 17th.