Warriors select defenceman and goalie in WHL U.S. Priority Draft

Draft week kicked off with the 2022 WHL U.S. Priority Draft on Wednesday morning.

The Moose Jaw Warriors made two selections, taking a defenceman and a goaltender.

With their first pick, fifth overall, the Warriors went to the Dallas Stars Elite 14U AAA team and selected five-foot-four defenceman Carter Murphy.

“We would like to welcome Carter to the organization,” Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger said.

No statistics are available for Murphy’s 2021-22 season, however, during the 2020-21 season with the Stars Elite 13U AAA team, he posted two goals and nine points in 17 games.

“Carter plays a fast game, he makes a good first pass and isn’t afraid to join the rush or jump up into the play,” Ripplinger said.

“Carter’s hockey sense can make him a two-way player. He can deliver some offence and isn’t afraid to play physical against bigger players.”

In the second round, 40th overall, the Warriors selected five-foot-11 goalie Kyle Jones from the Los Angeles Jr. Kings 14U AAA team.

“It’s exciting to add Kyle to our organization,” Ripplinger said.

Jones appeared in 33 games last season, posting a 2.90 goals against average.

“Kyle is an athletic goalie who has a lot of upside,” Ripplinger said. “Kyle is very competitive and does a great job trying to find pucks through traffic.”

In 2019-20, he represented the Jr. Kings at the Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament, posting a 1-1-0 record in two games.

For a full recap of the 2022 U.S. Priority Draft, click here.

The Warriors will now select 14th overall in the first round of Thursday’s 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.