Jeannot Poised For Bigger Role
Tanner Jeannot was one of the surprise players to crack the Moose Jaw Warriors’ roster last season.
Coming into his second season in the Western Hockey League, the 18-year-old forward is looking to contribute more for the Tribe.
“I’ve been working hard over the offseason, training to come have a good season here,” said Jeannot after practice on Tuesday. “I want to contribute a little more this year offensively and defensively, play an all-around game and just do everything I can for the team to help take this team to the playoffs this year.”
Jeannot had one goal and five points in 52 games last year for the Warriors. The Oxbow, SK native is expected to bring a hard working style to the Warriors’ bottom-six this season with his size and speed.
“I’ve been working out every day in the gym and working on my skating, you can always improve your stride and get a bit faster,” said the six-foot-two, 205lbs left winger. “I put on a few more pounds to be harder to move in front of the net and be able to win a few more battles. It just about working hard every day.”
During training camp last year, Jeannot turned heads during fitness testing as he blew away the competition. He was again near the top across the board during fitness testing this year.
He said there’s a lot of benefits on the ice to being in the best shape you possibly can be.
“Having better condition than other people gives you that extra step in the third period, helps you win those battles a little bit more and just gives you that extra edge,” said Jeannot.
After going undrafted in the WHL Bantam Draft and then making the Warriors as a 17-year-old, Jeannot said that he looked to the veteran players on the team last year to learn from as he transitioned to playing in the WHL.
“We had great leaders last year in those three 20-year-olds (Tanner Eberle, Jack Rodewald and Jaimen Yakubowski), Brayden Point and the other older players and you can learn so much every day in practice just watching them do what they do and how hard they work,” said Jeannot.
The Warriors are preparing to open the 2015-16 regular season on Thursday against the Regina Pats at Mosaic Place. Jeannot said his mindset goes across the board for the Warriors as they want to outwork the Pats to pick up the win.
“We’re looking to be the hardest working team in the league this year, so just hard work, win all the battles and compete harder than them to come out with the win,” he said.
The Warriors and Pats hit the ice at 7:00pm on Thursday night. You can catch all the action live with Western Nissan Warriors Hockey on Country 100, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:40pm.
