The Warriors picked up overage defenceman Majid Kaddoura in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, with the fourth-year veteran expected to become a key part of the team’s leadership going forward.
“He brings a good work ethic and having an older guy in the dressing room will be good for us,” said Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger. “I’ve been talking with the coaching staff and with our younger defence it was was ‘do we develop a younger guy or help the young guys learn their way through the Western Hockey League’ and this looks like the best decision going forward.”
As expected, the Warriors defence has emerged as a key component of their success in the early going, but an injury to Cole Jordan that has left the Calgary Flames prospect week-to-week for a return to the ice made the trade decision an easier one.
“Our defence is the strength of our group and right now with Jordan going down, adding an older guy makes sense for our team,” Ripplinger said.
The 6-foot-3, 197-pound Chestermere, Alta. product played the last two seasons in Prince George, putting up five goals and 13 points over 44 games. He broke into the league with the Saskatoon Blades in the 2018-19 campaign and played 77 games, scoring four goals and six points before being traded to the Cougars at the 2019-20 trade deadline.
The Warriors now have three 20-year-olds, including forward Logan Doust and goaltender Carl Tetachuk.
Moose Jaw is back in action tonight when they host the Prince Albert Raiders. Game time is 7 p.m. at Mosaic Place and fans are reminded that proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative test from the last 72 hours is required for entry.
