‘I’m super pumped’: Brenton looking forward to camp with the Blackhawks
Hard work over the past few seasons has paid off for Lucas Brenton.
The 20-year-old defenceman for the Moose Jaw Warriors is heading to his first NHL camp as he suits up with the Chicago Blackhawks this week.
“I’m super pumped, it’s something every player works towards and I was working towards last season and it’s going to be great going there,” Brenton said.
Brenton is one of five members of this year’s Warriors team heading off to rookie camps in the National Hockey League this week.
The Winnipeg, MB product will be taking part in the 2023 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase with the Blackhawks, which will see them face off with the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild in rookie games this weekend.
“It’s going to be a great hockey experience, something that I haven’t experienced before and I’ll learn a lot of stuff that I’ll be able to take it back here for the season,” Brenton said.
“Playing at that speed, playing with those caliber guys and just seeing what it’s going to be like at the next level and what I’m going to have to do to prepare myself to play there.”
The six-foot-four, 212-pound rearguard has developed into a steady defender for the Warriors over the past two seasons.
Brenton finished with two goals and 15 points in 68 games last season after posting three goals and 18 points in 62 games during 2021-22.
“Every season coming in as a Warrior, I’ve just improved and I’ve had this goal since I started here and I’ve just been building towards it, so I’m going to continue to do that and continue to improve,” Brenton said.
“I feel like I’m a presence out there and I’m a solid guy that you can rely on to move the puck and do the job.”
Over the offseason, Brenton focused on getting stronger to be a bigger presence on the ice.
“Keep my speed, keep my strength, but also building some more weight on, building some mass and also just improving my skill with the puck,” he said.
Brenton will hit the ice in Chicago for practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before travelling to St. Paul, MN.
The Blackhawks square off with the Blues on Saturday at 6 p.m. and then take on the Wild on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Warriors will continue the preseason this weekend with a home-and-home against Brandon. They start in Brandon on Friday and then host the Wheat Kings at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Saturday.
