Warriors’ Top Pick Learns from WHL Preseason Debut
September 12, 2022 – Western Hockey League (WHL) – Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
Connor Schmidt threw on a Moose Jaw Warriors uniform for the first time on Saturday.
The Warriors’ first round pick in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft made his preseason debut with the team against the Broncos in Swift Current.
“It was fun playing with the older boys, it was physical, lot of puck movement, so it was good,” Schmidt said after practice on Monday.
Schmidt didn’t factor into the scoring during the Warriors’ 3-1 loss to the Broncos, but he finished with two shots on net in his first taste of the WHL.
He said he felt like he did a good job of adjusting to the pace of the game.
“You really had to keep your head up and make the simple play,” Schmidt said.
“I thought I could have played a little more physical, but I kept it simple, made some good passes and had a few shots, maybe shoot a little more [next time], but for the most part, I thought I did good.”
The Warriors played five 16-year-olds and five 15-year-olds in their first two preseason games over the weekend.
Head coach Mark O’Leary said he liked what he saw out of the group overall.
“There’s a lot of skill coming,” he said after Saturday’s game. “You look at the strides they’ve made over the last couple of weeks since they got into camp, they’re more comfortable around Moose Jaw, around the team, but really excited about the skill they have and the future of the team.”
Schmidt is getting his first experience at the WHL level after being selected by the team with the 14th overall pick in May’s draft.
He said he’s enjoyed the past few weeks going through training camp and getting to practice with the veterans.
“It really pushes my game to the next level,” Schmidt said.
“They really focus on the details and the work ethic during practices and just showing up every day, competing and being at your best.”
With this experience under his belt, Schmidt said he will head back to the Okanagan Hockey Academy with a hunger to play with the Warriors.
“It really sets the bar high,” he said.
Schmidt remains with the Warriors as they prepare to close out the preseason this weekend with a home-and-home against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The two sides meet at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Friday and then square off in Brandon on Saturday to finish the preseason schedule.
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