Firkus & Wanner Bringing Back a Professional Mindset to Warriors
September 30, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
Both Jagger Firkus and Max Wanner made their NHL preseason debuts within 24 hours of each in Seattle.
The two Moose Jaw Warriors have returned to the Friendly City with more confidence and some new experiences under their belts after getting a taste of the National Hockey League.
“It was a lot of learning, some new cool experiences, but just trying to be a sponge and absorb as much as I can while I was there,” Wanner said after hitting the ice at the Hangar for practice with the Warriors this week.
Wanner suited up with the Edmonton Oilers against the Seattle Kraken on Monday night, getting 13:24 of ice time, firing two shots on net and finishing minus-one in a 3-0 loss.
The 2021 seventh round selection of the Oilers said it was an eye-opening experience to hit the ice in an NHL game, but one that he didn’t feel was above him.
“There’s a lot of nerves, obviously, but it’s interesting to see how you stack up against some of the better players in the world,” Wanner said.
“When you’re a young kid, the first few shifts, it’s just getting your feet wet, but I felt after that I did a decent job of filling in and I did alright.
Max Wanner back checks during his NHL preseason debut in Seattle on Tuesday. (Photo: Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Just one night later, back at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Firkus suited up for the first time with the Kraken, helping them to a 3-0 win over the Calgary Flames.
Firkus, a 2022 second round pick by Seattle, had 12:13 of ice time, putting up one shot and finishing plus-one after his blocked shot helped set up the opening goal.
“It was really cool, the crowd was really loud, it was my first taste of that kind of hockey and it’s obviously really fast,” Firkus said.
“In the first period, it’s pretty quick, it’s a big step, but as the periods went by, I got better and better.”
This was Firkus’ first training camp at the NHL level and he said there’s a lot to take away from the experience.
“You see the work ethic at the next level,” Firkus said. “Everyone works as hard as they do and you get to see it first hand, especially the better guys, they work even harder and it’s the steps I need to take.”
Jagger Firkus celebrates with his Seattle Kraken teammates after the team’s opening goal on Wednesday. (Photo: Chris Mast/Seattle Kraken)
Wanner was attending his second training camp with the Oilers. He said he’s coming back a better player from this experience.
“[I learned] how to carry myself as a professional and how much harder they work, they way they carry themselves on and off the ice, using their manners and everything like that,” Wanner said. “As a young kid to see that and come back to junior with, now I know how to carry myself like a pro.”
With both players learning and growing from their experience in the NHL, the Warriors will be leaning on them to show that growth heading as they hit the ice during the 2022-23 season.
Firkus said he’s looking forward to getting back on the ice in Moose Jaw.
“We have a really good team here, I’m super excited about the whole season, it’s going to be fun,” the Warriors’ 2021-22 leading scorer said.
After putting up 36 goals and 80 points last season, Firkus said he’s focused on team goals this season.
“I want to win, personal statistics don’t really matter, I just want to win,” he said. “I want to put together a deep playoff run, that’s really important to me.”
That feeling is mutual for Wanner.
“We’ve got an unreal team this year, it’s been building for a few years and now this is our time,” he said. “We want to go deep and everybody’s got the same goal this year.”
The Warriors will have Wanner and Firkus as well as fellow NHL camp returnees Denton Mateychuk, Eric Alarie, Cole Jordan and Martin Rysavy back in the lineup on Friday when the team hosts the Prince Albert Raiders at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. Puck drops at 7 p.m.
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