Have a good season and it’s almost certain you’re going to see a whole lot of players move on in their hockey careers – especially when it comes to signing on with Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League teams.
And while that might be disappointing for fans if players could have been back in a AAA uniform, when one of your main goals is player development and seeing your young up-and-coming standouts advance to higher levels of the game, it’s all fine and well.
The Moose Jaw AAA Warriors are no exception.
The team recently saw four of their top players from last season involved in trades or sign on with SJHL teams in recent weeks, making it a possibility they won’t be back in a Warriors jersey next season if they had eligibility remaining.
Connor McGrath signs with the Weyburn Red Wings. (Twitter photo)The Weyburn Red Wings wasted little time signing Warriors scoring leader and second-team all-star Connor McGrath, bringing their 2018 first-round SJHL Bantam Draft pick into the fold back on Mar. 20.
McGrath, 16, scored 23 goals and 49 points in 44 games last season, and also suited up in three games for the Red Wings, tacking on his first assist in his first game, a 3-2 overtime loss to Nipawin. The 5-foot-8, 130-pound forward – also ninth round selection by the Everett Silvertips in the 2018 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft – also had four goals and eighth points in six playoff games.
Lucius Schmidt signs with the Estevan Bruins. (Twitter photo)Forward Lucius Schmidt was the next to sign, officially joining the Estevan Bruins on Apr. 20. Drafted in the fourth round by Estevan in the 2017 SJHL Bantam Draft, the 18-year-old forward had used up his U18 eligibility and was coming off an impressive first season in the league, scoring 12 goals and 29 points in 43 games. Just as impressive was his physical presence, as he showed little fear when it came to using his 5-foot-10, 215-pound frame to mow over opponents.
He could be joined in the Bruins line-up by a Warriors teammate in the near future.
Caelan Fitzpatrick was traded from the Battlefords Stars to the Estevan Bruins. (Twitter graphic)Fitzpatrick, a Moose Jaw Minor Hockey product and grad of the Prairie Hockey Academy, is entering his 17-year-old season and coming off a stellar rookie campaign that saw him score 16 goals and 45 points before adding another 10 points in six playoff games.
He also played one game for the North Stars, picking up an assist in a 3-2 win over Melville on Jan. 25.
Parker Jasper signs with the Yorkton Terriers. (Twitter graphic)Defenceman Parker Jasper was the most recent SJHL signee, officially joining the Yorkton Terriers on Tuesday.
Yorkton’s first-round, second-overall pick in the 2018 Bantam Draft, the 5-foot-10, 150-pound defenceman is also about to play his 17-year-old season after a stellar rookie campaign that saw him score three goals and 29 points in 44 games.
Jasper also took the ice for two SJHL games with the Terriers, and like his compatriots picked up an assist in his first-ever game, that coming in a 5-2 win over Estevan on Dec. 21.
Overtime… The AAA Warriors will be keeping an eye on the internet on Friday as well, as the SJHL holds its 2020 Bantam Draft. The first pick is slated to be taken 1 p.m., and you can follow all the selections on www.sjhl.ca
