https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/author/chlwebproduct/ Fri, 08 May 2026 16:47:25 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/draft-recap-general-manager-jason-ripplinger-discusses-2026-whl-prospects-draft Fri, 08 May 2026 16:42:36 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/draft-recap-general-manager-jason-ripplinger-discusses-2026-whl-prospects-draft MOOSE JAW, Sask. - After adding to their prospect pool yesterday, General Manager Jason Ripplinger reflected on the talent that the team added to their ranks.  “I think we covered a lot of areas,” said Ripplinger. “We built from the backend out again, [we] got some size, grit, and some skill, which was really important to get.”  With their first pick in the draft, the Warriors selected Warman, Saskatchewan’s Kobe Pellack. In 31 games last season with OHA Edmonton’s U15 Prep team, Pellack tallied 19 goals and 58 points. “We had [Kobe] ranked pretty high on our draft list,” said Ripplinger. “We like his skill level, his hockey sense, and he makes players better around him. Moving forward as a Warrior, we expect him to put up a lot of points for us.”  With their second pick of the day, the Warriors drafted goaltender Gavin Craig from Langley, British Columbia. In 17 games with the Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep team, Craig posted a 15-2 record with a save percentage of .935 and a 1.96 goals against average.  The Warriors wrapped up the day by selecting defenceman Brady Cook 143rd overall. In 30 games with the Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep team, Cook registered five goals and 30 points. Ripplinger notes that Cook’s hockey IQ and puck-moving skills were a draw for the organization.  The Warriors will welcome the members of the 2026 Draft Class, as well as other members of the team’s prospect pool, to Moose Jaw for Development Camp later this month.  “It’s always an exciting time to get the new drafted players in here,” said Ripplinger. “We get to meet them [and their families], they get to meet [the staff], and get a little bit more comfortable when it comes to training camp in the fall.”  For more information on the members of the 2026 WHL Prospects draft class, click here. Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.

]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/draft-warriors-add-10-prospects-at-2026-whl-prospects-draft Thu, 07 May 2026 21:52:06 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/draft-warriors-add-10-prospects-at-2026-whl-prospects-draft MOOSE JAW, Sask. - The Moose Jaw Warriors bolstered their prospect pool by adding 10 2011-born players at the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.  29th Overall: Kobe Pellack (F - 5’11, 160lbs) Hometown: Warman, SK 2025-2026 Team: OHA Edmonton U15 Prep Stats: 31 GP - 19 G - 39 A - 58 PTS 49th Overall: Gavin Craig (G - 6’0, 175lbs) Hometown: Langley, BC 2025-2026 Team: Yale Hockey Academy U15 Pre Stats: 17 GP - Record: 15-2 - 1.96 GAA - .935 SV % Named CSSHL U15 Prep Goaltender of the Year 75th Overall: Michael Puddicombe (D - 6’2, 165lbs) Hometown: North Vancouver, BC 2025-2026 Team: BWC U15 Prep Stats: 30 GP - 5 G - 26 A - 31 PTS 93rd Overall: Justin Castonguay (F - 6’2, 175lbs) Hometown: St. Albert, AB 2025-2026 Team: NAX U15 Prep Stats: 28 GP - 14 G - 14 A - 28 PTS 100th Overall: Kingston Dickie (D - 5’10, 153lbs) Hometown: White City, SK 2025-2026 Team: Prairie Storm U15AA Stats: 26 GP - 10 G - 21 A - 31 PTS 118th Overall: Bridger Unchulenko (D - 6’4, 209lbs) Hometown: Esterhazy, SK 2025-2026 Team: Sask East Oilers U15AA Stats: 26 GP - 4 G - 21 A - 25 PTS 124th Overall: Damon James (F - 5’6, 135lbs) Hometown: Swift Current, SK 2025-2026 Team: Swift Current Broncos U15AA Stats: 31 GP - 42 G - 29 A - 71 PTS 125th Overall: Alex Dyrland (F - 6’0, 155lbs) Hometown: Winnipeg, MB 2025-2026 Team: Winnipeg Thrashers U15AAA Blue Stats: 32 GP - 30 G - 30 A - 60 PTS 140th Overall: Jax Baumuller (F - 5’5, 130lbs) Hometown: Wilcox, SK 2025-2026 Team: Notre Dame Hounds U15 Prep Stats: 25 GP -  23 G - 13 A - 36 PTS 143rd Overall: Brady Cook (D - 5’7, 130lbs) Hometown: Delta, BC 2025-2026 Team: Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep Stats: 30 GP - 5 G - 25 A - 30 PTS The Warriors will welcome the members of the 2026 Draft Class, as well as other members of the team’s prospect pool, to Moose Jaw for Development Camp later this month.  Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/2025-prospects-draft-class-update Mon, 04 May 2026 17:28:51 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/2025-prospects-draft-class-update MOOSE JAW, Sask. - Ahead of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, check in on the 12 members of the 2025 Draft Class.  Kash Elke (F, 18th overall) In 42 games with the Tisdale Trojans of the SMU18AAAHL, Elke posted seven goals and 17 points. Elke also represented Team Saskatchewan at the 2025 WHL Cup, appearing in all five games the team played. Elke appeared in two WHL games for the Warriors, making his debut on March 11.  Dylan Mingo (G, 41st overall) In 14 games with RHA Kelowna’s U17 Prep team, Mingo posted a save percentage of .922, a goals against average of 3.11, and a record of 11-3. In the playoffs, Mingo appeared in three more games with a save percentage of .955, a goals against average of 1.67, and a perfect 3-0 record, backstopping the team to the CSSHL Western Championship. Mingo appeared in two games for the Warriors, posting a save percentage of .923 and a goals against average of 3.18 across a relief appearance and his first WHL start.  Miller Watkins (D, 57th overall) Playing with RHA Kelowna’s U18 Prep team, Watkins notched two goals and 14 points through 28 games. In the playoffs, Watkins added three assists through six games as the team won the CSSHL U18 Prep Western Championship. At the Circle K Classic with the team, Watkins recorded two assists through six games. Watkins joined fellow draftee Dylan Mingo as a member of Team British Columbia at the 2025 WHL Cup.  James Stanton (D, 60th overall) As a member of RHA Winnipeg’s U18 Prep team, Stanton posted one goal and seven points through 25 games. Stanton was a member of Team Manitoba at the 2025 WHL Cup, where they earned a gold medal. Through five games at the tournament, Stanton posted three assists.  Isaac Rimmer (D, 71st overall) As a member of Calgary International Hockey Academy’s U17 Prep team, Rimmer recorded one goal and 11 points through 28 games played. As a call-up with CIHA’s U18 Prep team, he recorded two assists through five games and also appeared in one game with the U18 Prep team at the Circle K Classic.  Owen Grassick (F, 80th overall) In 30 games with Prairie Hockey Academy’s U17 Prep team, Grassick registered 18 goals and 35 points. He also posted two goals and three points through three playoff appearances. As a call-up with PHA’s U18 Prep team, Grassick added one assist through two games.  Linden Abercrombie (F, 90th overall) Abercrombie played with the Prince Albert Mintos of the SMU18AAAHL for the 2025-2026 season, where he recorded six goals and 18 points through 38 games. As a member of Team Saskatchewan at the 2025 WHL Cup, Abercrombie added an assist through five appearances.  Jett Prpich (D, 94th overall) Prpich joined fellow Warriors prospects Kash Elke and Preston Hoppe as a member of the Tisdale Trojans. In 42 games, Prpich recorded two goals and 24 points. As a member of Team Saskatchewan at the WHL Cup, Prpich added one goal and three points through five games played. Prpich made his WHL debut with the Warriors on February 10.  Charlie Tobin (F, 111th overall) In 28 games with Edge School’s U18 Prep team, Tobin registered nine goals and 18 points through 28 games played. At the Circle K Classic, Tobin added one goal and five points through six appearances.  Nash Bullman (F, 117th overall) In 35 games with the Regina Vics of the SMU18AAHL, Bullman recorded 15 goals and 46 points. In the playoffs, Bullman added four goals and six points through five games. Bullman was a call-up with the Regina Pat Canadians of the SMU18AAAHL, where he appeared in five games during the regular season and one game during the team’s playoff run.  RJ Thompson (F, US Priority - 2nd overall) As a member of Team MPLS Magazine, Thompson registered nine goals and 19 points through 21 games. With Eden Prairie High of the USHS-MN, Thompson recorded 22 goals and 46 points through 25 games, earning the title of highest-scoring freshman in the team’s history.  Derek Langkow (F, US Priority - 45th overall) As a member of Northern Alberta Xtreme’s U18 Prep Team, Langkow recorded four goals and eight points through 23 games. In the playoffs, Langkow added one goal and three points through six games. With the team at the Circle K Classic, Langkow posted one goal and two points in seven games as the team ranked second place in the tournament.  The first round of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft will be held on Wednesday, May 6, beginning at 5:30 pm MT. The remaining rounds of the draft are scheduled for Thursday, May 7. Follow along on the Warriors social media channels (X, Facebook, Instagram) for live updates during the draft.  Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/wutzke-reflects-on-impact-he-made-as-a-veteran-with-warriors Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:52:49 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/wutzke-reflects-on-impact-he-made-as-a-veteran-with-warriors MOOSE JAW, Sask. - In less than a season with the team, Chase Wutzke’s professionalism and confidence played an integral part in the Warriors' chase to the 2026 WHL playoffs.  “[Chase’s] hockey sense allows him to anticipate plays to put himself in good positions, and his athleticism and competitiveness allow him to make hard saves look routine,” said Head Coach Mark O’Leary. “Going into every game, Chase gives you a chance to win.”  Wutzke was acquired from the Red Deer Rebels as part of a blockbuster trade in November, with the Warriors sending six draft picks to the Rebels, including their 2026 first-round pick for Wutzke and a 2026 second-round pick. “I’m a confident guy, so I bring a lot of confidence to a team,” said Wutzke. “There are a lot of young guys on this team who look up to you, and you have to build off that.”  In 38 games with the Warriors this season, Wutzke posted a 13-19-3-1 record with a 3.47 goals against average and a career-high save percentage of .906. “You go into battle with your brothers every night,” said Wutzke. “I think the fans saw the boys really take it hard, but hopefully it brings them back better and bigger next year.”  After the Warriors’ last game, Wutzke was recalled by the Minnesota Wild organization and made his first pro start with the ECHL Iowa Heartlanders. In six games with the Heartlanders, Wutkze owned a 2-1-1 record with a 2.98 goals against average and a save percentage of .898. After the Heartlanders' season ended, Wutzke was assigned to the Minnesota Wild for their Stanley Cup Playoff run.  Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/oleary-trefny-preparing-for-iihf-u18-world-championship Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:00:41 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/oleary-trefny-preparing-for-iihf-u18-world-championship TRENCIN, Svk. - The Moose Jaw Warriors will have two representatives at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship. Head Coach Mark O’Leary will serve as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada, and import-rookie forward Jan Trefny will represent Team Czechia.  As a member of the Warriors coaching staff since 2012, O’Leary has posted a 191-187-23-14 record since taking over as Head Coach in the 2019-2020 season. He is the franchise’s leader in both games coached and games won.  Speaking to Discover Moose Jaw’s Avery LeBlanc, O’Leary said, “I don’t want to come back the same coach I was when I left. This is an opportunity to grow and learn.” O’Leary last represented Canada as Head Coach of U17 Team Canada Black at the 2022-2023 U17 World Hockey Championship.  This is also not the first time Jan Trefny has represented his home country. Trefny was named to Team Czechia for last summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where the team posted a 2-2 record. In four games, Trefny notched an assist and was named player of the game in the team’s loss to the Canadians. In 60 games with the Warriors this season, Trefny potted 3 goals and 14 points. His first WHL goal came back in October. “I was trying to find myself at the start [of the season],” said Trefny. “At the end, I think [my game] was much better, so I’m happy with [where my game ended up], and I’m excited for next season.”  Trefny and Team Czechia kick off their campaign on Wednesday, taking on the United States. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 am CST. O’Leary and Team Canada will open their tournament at 10 am CST against the host team.  Season tickets for the Warriors’ 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/thorpe-looking-to-grow-his-game-in-the-offseason Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:58:30 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/thorpe-looking-to-grow-his-game-in-the-offseason MOOSE JAW, Sask. - After his sophomore season, Riley Thorpe hopes to take another step this offseason as he heads into his third year in the Western Hockey League.  “Riley has a great combination of skating and puck skills that produced some highlight reel goals,” said Head Coach Mark O’Leary. “We expect him to be a guy that we lean on in big moments and a key contributor in our top six forward group next year.”  In 67 games this season, Thorpe tallied a career high 16 goals and 37 points. Thorpe also dressed as a member of Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Showcase in February.  “I think growing my game offensively and defensively,” said Thorpe. “If this team wants to go far, I need to be at my best. I think I need to be not only producing but also defending.”  Thorpe notes that battling adversity throughout the season builds character for the team.  “Everyone wants to win, us, Moose Jaw as a whole, we want to see this team do well,” said Thorpe. “When you lose two seasons in a row, it's pretty tough, but you don’t want to feel that a third time. Coming into next season, [we’re] going to be super hungry and willing to do what it takes to make the playoffs.”  Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.  ]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/carter-looking-for-productive-offseason Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:00:56 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/carter-looking-for-productive-offseason MOOSE JAW, Sask. - As one of the youngest players on the Warriors’ roster this season, rookie defenceman Colt Carter made a name for himself right from the first puck drop.  “At only 16, Colt has shown a real professional approach to the game,” said Head Coach Mark O’Leary. “He has the hockey sense, agility, and puck skills that are going to make him a real fun player to watch, and his character makes him an absolute pleasure to coach.” Carter’s first goal came in his season debut, back on September 19. His second goal came the next night, and his third goal found the back of the net in his third game of the season just a week later.  Carter’s blistering scoring pace set him up to be the team’s Rookie of the Year at the annual Awards Night and earned him the honours of the second-highest scoring 16-year-old defenceman in franchise history. “I’m going to work on my compete this summer,” said Carter. “Obviously [I’m] going to build my skills and my game [to be more] dominant next year.” Carter notes that while the team battled adversity all season long, the ‘battle and compete’ mentality that the team became so familiar with will fuel the offseason and set them up for a strong start to the 2026-2027 season.  “I know we had a lot of one-goal games,” said Carter. “I think it’s going to be a big summer, putting in the work, we’re going to battle and come out strong.”  Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/schmidt-looking-to-continue-building-game-in-offseason Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:00:07 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/schmidt-looking-to-continue-building-game-in-offseason MOOSE JAW, Sask. - In his third season in the WHL, Connor Schmidt took another step in growing his game while being added to the Warriors’ leadership group. “When you picture ‘races and battles’, you picture Connor Schmidt,” said Head Coach Mark O’Leary. “Whatever the situation or the circumstances, you know you are going to get a relentless effort and all-in compete.”  Schmidt’s effort on the ice earned him an ‘A’ just before Christmas.  “It meant a lot,” said Schmidt. “We have a really tight group here, so to lead that group, it was very special for me.”  This season, Schmidt tallied a career-high 16 goals and 40 points through 66 games, and as he heads into his fourth season with the Moose Jaw Warriors, he notes that offseason preparation is key to getting a strong start at training camp next year. “[This offseason I want to] try to build [my game] in a lot of ways,” said Schmidt. “[Maybe] putting on some weight, trying to get faster, and keep working on the little details.”  Schmidt notes that the foundation the team built this season will be key to taking another step next year.  “This year, we had a lot of guys injured throughout the year, so to see everyone push through that was good to see,” said Schmidt. “Next year, we need to come in really hungry and motivated to get into the playoffs.”  Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/mcfadden-looking-to-be-relied-on-more-next-season Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:00:53 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/mcfadden-looking-to-be-relied-on-more-next-season MOOSE JAW, Sask. - After being scratched in the first game of the year, Landen McFadden proved his value tenfold over the course of the rest of the season.  “Landen’s game really matured this year,” said Head Coach Mark O’Leary. “His shot can beat goalies from distance and in tight, and he did a great job getting himself in positions to do just that in many big moments throughout the year.”  McFadden notched two goals and five points in his season debut, helping to push the team to a 9-7 Home Opener win over the Brandon Wheat Kings.  “[I came] in with a lot more confidence this year,” said McFadden. “I think last year was a year where I took a step in the offseason to be a guy that wanted to be relied on more.”  McFadden ended the season as the team’s top scorer with 32 goals and 68 points, blowing away his previous career high of six goals and 15 points set during his rookie season the year before.  “I want to be a guy that’s relied on in every area of the ice,” said McFadden. “I want to come in and take the younger guys and lead by example, I want them to follow what I do, and I want to win a championship here.”  McFadden notes that the season had a lot of highs and a lot of lows, most notably, the most notable low was the result of the final game, where the team fell to the Swift Current Broncos, eliminating them from the playoffs.  “There wasn’t one guy with a smile on their face [after the last game],” said McFadden. “It shows that we care, and it shows that we wanted to do something, but we came up short, and hopefully we can change the narrative on that next year.” Tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now through the Moose Jaw Warriors Business Office or online. ]]> https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/season-recap-general-manager-jason-ripplinger-reflects-on-the-season-2 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:00:32 +0000 chlwebproduct https://chl.ca/whl-warriors/article/season-recap-general-manager-jason-ripplinger-reflects-on-the-season-2 MOOSE JAW, Sask. - After missing the playoffs by a single point, General Manager Jason Ripplinger says that the season was frustrating.  “We have to look in the mirror and look at ourselves and think about where we should be better,” said Ripplinger. “Our coaching staff, our scouting staff, we all work hard, but we have to make some better decisions.”  Ripplinger points to the team’s injury struggles as a negative for the season, but the positive about the number of injuries that the Warriors faced was the development of the team’s rookies and prospect pool.  “That’s what our league is all about, [it’s] about player development,” said Ripplinger. “There [were] players on our team this year that got more opportunity [due to the injuries] and they’re better for it.”  The Warriors saw nine players make their debuts during the 2026/2027 season, including 2010-born prospects Dylan Mingo (2025, 41st overall), Kash Elke (2025, 18th overall), and Jett Prpich (2025, 94th overall). Additionally, Colt Carter, Cohen Williams, Gage Nagel, and William Degagne, who made their WHL debuts in previous seasons, embarked on their rookie campaign.  After finishing with a record of 25-36-5-2, Ripplinger notes that there are some spots on the roster to be filled, including spots vacated by the team’s three graduating players, Ethan Semeniuk, Pavel McKenzie, and Aiden Ziprick. All three of the team’s 20-year-olds were among the team’s top four scorers.  “It’s going to be a competitive [training camp in the fall],” said Ripplinger. “We have a lot of players coming up that want the older guys' spots, so [everyone] is going to have to be ready.”  Watch the full interview with General Manager Jason Ripplinger here. Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Moose Jaw Warriors Business Office or online.   ]]>