The former Ottawa Senators minor midget captain was a protect of the Raiders who appeared in five regular season games last year and saw limited action in the playoffs.
Watt was scrimmaging against the veteran-laden squad and looked very sharp, often leading the rush with his good speed and weaving his way through the defence.
"He's got a ton of upside. He's got a great head for the game," head coach and general manager Peter Goulet said. "Brandon's work ethic is second to nobody's.
"He's going to be a great player in this league."
The 5-10, 162-pounder had 30 points in 30 games with the Sens last season. After being selected seventh overall in the CHL draft last June, he said he would be happy to make the team and record between 10 and 20 points.
Providing he gets the opportunity, based on his strong play at camp, he should be able to exceed those expectations.
Goulet admitted that Watt's name hasn't been etched in stone yet, but he'll be given every opportunity in exhibition play to show what he can bring to the table.
Call it cautious optimism. Goulet wants to do what's best for the player.
"Anytime you're going to sign young guys, you want to make sure they're able to play and contribute because the No. 1 thing is their development," he said.
The team gets sets to begin its exhibition schedule tomorrow and Sunday with a home-and-home series against Goulet's old team, the Kingston Kimco Voyageurs.
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