The Moose Jaw Warriors weren’t planning to be crazy busy leading into the Western Hockey League trade deadline on Monday afternoon, but general manager Jason Ripplinger was able to swing a deal to bring a little more veterancy to the team’s forward corps.
The Warriors acquired 20-year-old forward Cordel Larson from the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for 19-year-old forward Cade Hayes and a third round pick in the 2022 Prospects Draft.
“Adding a 20-year-old like Cordel Larsen brings us leadership and character to our group. We expect him to come in and play in our top-nine and contribute offensively and defensively,” Ripplinger said in a media release announcing the deal. “The Warriors would like to thank Cade Hayes for everything that he has done for our organization and our community. We wish Cade the best of luck with Spokane.”
A 5-foot-7, 167-pound right wing, Larson hails from Weyburn and has played the previous four seasons with the Chiefs. He has five goals and 17 points in 30 games this season and had a career-best 15 goals and 43 points in 63 games in the 2019-20 campaign.
Hayes had five goals and 19 points in 35 games with the Warriors this season, his third in Moose Jaw.
The trade gives the Warriors four 20-year-olds -- Larson, forward Logan Doust, defenceman Majid Kaddoura and goaltender Carl Tetachuk -- one over the overage limit.
