Warriors sign Banini, McKenzie following Training Camp

Moose Jaw, SK — The Moose Jaw Warriors are pleased to announce the signing of Joshua Banini and Pavel McKenzie to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements.

“Adding Josh and Pavel to our program gives us more depth in goal and additional depth to in our forward group as well,” Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger said.

Banini was originally selected by the Warriors in the eighth round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

Last season with the Edmonton Jr Oilers under-18 AAA team, the six-foot, 212-pound goaltender posted a 6-2-0 record with a 1.75 goals against average, 0.939 save percentage and two shutouts in eight games.

He added a 3-2-0 record during the playoffs with a 2.89 goals against average and a 0.916 save percentage.

McKenzie joins the Warriors’ organization after being listed by the team.

Last season with the Yorkton Terriers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the six-foot, 176-pound forward finished with 14 goals and 29 points, while adding 30 penalty minutes, in 46 games.

“We expect Josh and Pavel to push to make our team better and give us more options,” Ripplinger said.

Both players will be in action this week when the Warriors open the pre-season with a home-and-home set against the Swift Current Broncos. Moose Jaw heads to Swift Current on Thursday and then hosts the Broncos in Assiniboia on Saturday.