Connor Schmidt didn’t look nervous during his first day on the ice with the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The 2022 first round selection showed off his skating ability during the morning practice and then again during Thursday afternoon’s first scrimmage of training camp at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
“It was good to get on the ice and get my legs under me,” Schmidt said.
The Warriors picked Schmidt 14th overall, making it three out of the past four years that the team has used its first round selection on a defenceman.
Schmidt brings a lot to the table already at 15 years old after posting 12 goals and 32 points in 30 games with the Okanagan Hockey Academy’s under-15 prep team last season.
He also had three assists in five games with the OHA under-16 prep team.
“He does a little bit of everything,” Warriors head coach Mark O’Leary said. “The first thing that stands out is the skating ability, there’s some players that just skate on top of the ice and Connor is certainly one of those.
“When the puck is on his stick, it’s head up, looking to make plays and score some nice goals, it’s good.”
Schmidt said he focused on his skating over the summer to get ready for his first Western Hockey League camp.
“I did a few power skating camps, shooting camps, just to really dial it in and be in top shape for camp, so it’s been good,” he said.
While his skating ability shines through, Schmidt said he wants to show his overall game over the four days on the ice in Moose Jaw.
“I want to show them my good work ethic, my skating ability and my good attitude and really enjoy my teammates and have fun while I’m here,” he said.
Schmidt’s Team Black came out on the losing end, falling 7-0 to Team White in the opening scrimmage of rookie camp on Thursday afternoon.
Despite the loss, Schmidt put together some strong scoring chances and showed off his physical game.
It was the top of the Warriors’ 2021 draft class that shined brightest in the scrimmage as first round pick Marek Howell had a goal and three points, while Lynden Lakovic added a highlight reel goal.
Lakovic said he felt really good in the first scrimmage.
“I feel like ever since coming back from Calgary and the under-17 camp, I’ve just gained so much confidence and feel like you could see that out there,” he said. “I was trying cool stuff and working with guys I haven’t played with before, so it was good.”
This is the first training camp for both the 2021 and 2022 draft classes after COVID-19 delayed the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft to last December.
O’Leary said he just wants to see all the players go out there and compete.
“At the end of the day, their skill is going to show eventually in the games, but right now, it’s just getting their feet wet, getting used to the environment that we have here and having a little bit of fun,” he said.
The Warriors will return to the ice for three scrimmages on Friday. The rookie camp scrimmages at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and then the roster will be trimmed for the first main camp scrimmage at 5:30 p.m.
All ice times are open to the public.
