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 Moose Jaw Warriors

Brkin Looking to Make An Impact

September 26, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Bailey Brkin's first start for the Moose Jaw Warriors at Mosaic Place was quite a bit different from the last time that he suited up in the arena.

Brkin made his first start in the Western Hockey League in Moose Jaw on the last game of the 2016-17 regular season, however, it did not go so well as he was beat for ten goals in a 10-5 win for the Warriors over the Swift Current Broncos.

Move ahead three seasons, Brkin is now a 20-year-old in the WHL and he put together a masterful performance, making 43 saves for the Warriors in a 5-3 win over the Regina Pats in the home opener.

"I felt amazing," Brkin said. "I definitely felt better than the last time I played in this rink, which was when I was 17 and let in those ten goals, so I'd say tonight is a pretty big improve since then."

Warriors head coach Tim Hunter was impressed with what he saw out of Brkin in the team's first win of the season.

"He's really rounded out his game, a real solid technical game, in the last two years," Hunter said. "I know a few years ago when [Jayden Halbgewachs] was trying to score his 50th, we lit him up for ten in here, but he's come a long way since then."

Brkin joined the Warriors just before the start of the regular season after putting together a great run last season with the Spokane Chiefs, helping them reach the Western Conference Final.

The Sherwood Park, AB product posted a 27-11-1-2 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and a 0.914 save percentage during 45 starts in the regular season.

He followed that up with a 2.55 G.A.A. and a 0.922 save percentage in 15 playoff starts with the Chiefs.

Brkin brings 18 games of playoff experience to the Warriors.

"I'm looking to take the opportunity here and run with it," Brkin said.

The Warriors feature a young defensive core that features one 19-year-old, three 18-year-olds, and four 17-year-olds.

Hunter said that they will need Brkin to be sharp throughout the early part of the season as they find their footing.

"We talked to him about being the settling factor back there, talk to those guys when they get a little rattled, talk to them when you're doing the exchanges, we don't need older guys yelling at younger guys," he said. "When you watch him making a save and moving pucks, it looks comfortable, it doesn't look like he's in a panic."

Brkin has played in three games with the Warriors between the preseason and regular season. He sees the young team improving.

"From the first exhibition game in Brandon until now, we've matured a whole bunch," he said. "From then to now, it's gotten a little better, but I totally have faith that within a month here, we'll be working fluidly.

"I'm here to help control the game for the boys, [Jadon Joseph] and I are the 20-year-olds in the room right now and we're just trying to lead by example."

With returning starting goalie Adam Evanoff on the shelf to open the regular season, Brkin will be asked to mentor 17-year-old goalie Jackson Berry, which he said is something that he is looking forward to.

"I want to show Jackson how to be a leader and try to do for him what Jordan Papirny did for me," he said. "We understand our roles and we're going to work well together this year."

Brkin and the Warriors return to the ice coming this weekend when they meet the Brandon Wheat Kings in a home-and-home on Friday and Saturday. Get tickets for Saturday night's contest at the Mosaic Place Box Office.


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