The WHL season is just around the corner and there is plenty of optimism flowing in southern Saskatchewan, with the Moose Jaw Warriors looking to improve last season’s accomplishments.
The voice of the Warriors, James Gallo joined Michael Ball on Wednesday’s edition of the SportsCage to preview the upcoming season.
Gallo says a strength for the Warriors team with be their depth throughout the entire lineup.
In between the pipes, Moose Jaw will be led by a pair of netminders from Calgary with similar sounding names. 17 year old Jackson Unger returns to Moose Jaw this season and he will be joined by 20 year old Connor Ungar who was acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings in the offseason.
Plenty of Warriors have been gaining extra experience right now as Gallo said a total of nine Warrior players have attended NHL camps this month including Dameon Hunt (Minnesota) and Ryder Korczak (New York Rangers). Other Moose Jaw players taking part in NHL camps include Denton Mateychuk (Columbus), Martin Rysavy (Columbus), Jagger Firkus (Seattle), Eric Alarie (Los Angeles), Max Wanner (Edmonton) and Cole Jordan (Calgary). Atley Calvert recently returned to Moose Jaw after taking part in Buffalo’s rookie camp.
Gallo says it’s bittersweet to see the Warrior players miss time during the preseason as they attend professional camps.
“It’s tough when you send that many guys away, but it’s exciting that you send that many guys away, cause it’s a great opportunity for those young guys who have earned those rights and those opportunities and it shows great on the organization in regards to the developmental level. ”
Looking ahead to the upcoming campaign for the Warriors, Gallo believes the goal for the team this season is to build off their success from last season.
“They were the top team in the regular season in Saskatchewan, they were the last Saskatchewan team from standing in the playoffs last year and it’s too build off what you accomplished last year.”
The voice of the Warriors said the main target for the team is to make the WHL playoffs and then begin the chase for a league championship.
Moose Jaw will begin their season with a home and home set with the Regina Pats. Friday’s season opener from the Brandt Centre can be heard on 620 CKRM with the pregame show at 6:35 and the opening faceoff at 7:00.
