The NHL Central Scouting Bureau released their mid-term rankings for the 2022 NHL Draft on Wednesday, with both Warriors defenceman Denton Mateychuk and forward Jagger Firkus cracking the list.
Matecyhuk was ranked ninth overall among North American skaters, while Firkus comes in at 33rd overall.
Mateychuk could become the highest-selected Warrior since Dylan McIlrath was selected 10th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2020 Draft, which was also the last time the Warriors had two players go in the first round -- Quinton Howden was later selected 25th overall by the Florida Panthers.
The Brandon product is second in defenceman scoring in the Western Hockey League with seven goals and 30 points, three points back of Winnipeg 19-year-old Benjamin Zloty. That’s on top of his impressive puck-moving abilities and defensive zone presence, both of which already have the 17-year-old among the top rearguards in the league.
Firkus will need to move up a spot to crack the first round, but with the way his game has come on as of late, that’s a distinct possibility.
The soft-handed centre is currently 12th in WHL scoring with 20 goals and 38 points in 34 games, and was on a scoring tear before the Warriors went into their pandemic pause, with points in 10 of his last 11 contests, specifically 11 goals and 18 points dating back to Dec. 3.
The first round of the 2022 WHL Entry Draft will take place on Thursday, July 7, with the following rounds wrapping up on Friday, July 8.
The Moose Jaw Warriors are back in action Friday, Jan. 14 when they host the Medicine Hat Tigers. Game time is 7 p.m. at Mosaic Place.
