Warriors’ defensive group growing into new roles
Every season in the Western Hockey League presents new opportunities for players, whether it’s earning a spot on the team or growing into a bigger role.
That will be the case for the Moose Jaw Warriors’ defensive group this season.
Denton Mateychuk and Lucas Brenton return to lead the group, but with the graduation of Logan Dowhaniuk and Max Wanner starting the season in the Edmonton Oilers organization, that will open spots for players to take on more responsibility.
Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary has liked what he’s seen so far.
“They’re doing everything that’s being asked,” he said. “It’s new concepts for some of them, just in terms of how we want to play, but first and foremost, the effort and diligence is there to try to understand and get better.”
Matthew Gallant and Cosmo Wilson are returning this season and looking to expand their roles among the defensive group.
Gallant, who’s heading into his third season with the Warriors, showed well during more opportunity in the top-four last season.
“I felt like I got a lot more confident knowing I had to step up because guys were out of the lineup,” he said. “All the young guys had to move up in the lineup, so I felt like I did a good job of that.”
The Langley, BC product said he worked hard over the offseason to be ready for a bigger opportunity.
“Getting stronger was my focus,” he said. “I was hurt last year quite a bit, so I just wanted to eliminate the possibility of getting injured, so I focused on building some meat on myself.”
O’Leary said Gallant’s work over the summer hasn’t went unnoticed.
“Gally had a good summer, he looks a little stronger and we’re going to need him to step in and play more minutes,” he said. “He’s a top-four defenceman for us and with that opportunity comes new responsibilities and so far, in terms of practice habits, work habits and into the games, he’s accepted and done real well.”
Wilson heads into his second season with the Warriors and said he learned a lot during last season that will help him going into this season.
“The game is pretty fast and pretty physical, so just make quick plays and find the open teammates,” he said.
While returning players will be key to the Warriors’ defensive success, so will the new players stepping into the lineup.
17-year-old defenceman Brady Ness joins the team full-time after playing 15 games last season.
He said getting that game experience in the WHL over the past two seasons has helped prepare him to hit the ground running this season.
“Just adjusting to the speed and knowing what these guys do every day, that was huge,” Ness said.
Ness returned to under-18 AAA for his 16-year-old season, posting four goals and 20 points in 31 games with the Edmonton Jr. Oilers.
He said playing another season of AAA helped prepare him to step into the Warriors’ lineup at the top of his game this season.
“It was huge, just for my own skill development and maturing and growing up,” Ness said. “It was the best thing for me and I’m ready to go this season.”
Connor Schmidt, the Warriors’ first round pick in 2022, is also expected to join the team full-time this season as a 16-year-old rookie.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s obviously going to be challenging, but I’m really excited and it’s been good so far,” he said.
Schmidt played in six games with the Warriors last season and joined the team during the playoffs. He said that experience was a big asset going into this season.
“It’s bigger, faster and more physical, so you really have to keep your head up and make smart plays and just keep it simple,” Schmidt said.
O’Leary said Schmidt and Ness getting to experience the WHL last season was really important.
“Just being around the group through playoff time and practicing, the habits and the day-to-day work that goes into performing on Friday and Saturday night,” he said. “I never have to ask them to work and to pay attention to details, that’s what sets them apart and will help them move along their WHL careers.”
The Warriors continue the preseason this weekend with a home-and-home against Brandon. The team travels to Brandon on Friday and then faces off with the Wheat Kings on Saturday.
