Finley Following in his Brothers' Footsteps, But Playing his Own Game
March 5, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
Moose Jaw, SK - Max Finley comes from a hockey family.
His dad, Jeff, is an amateur scout with the Winnipeg Jets in the National Hockey League; his older brother, Jack, plays for the Syracuse Cruch in the American Hockey League; and his other brother, Mason, is with the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League.
Finley said his family has played a big role in helping him get to the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors.
"They've impacted me, they push me and we're all competitive against each other," Finley said. "That's the thing I love about them, they go hard on me and push me to be better."
The Kelowna, B.C. product is in his rookie season with the Warriors and finding his role with the team.
Finley said it was a big jump going from U18 AAA with the Okanagan Rockets to the WHL this season.
"Definitely a big jump, the pace, the size and physicality, everything is a lot different, but it's been great so far," he said.
"You've got to make plays a lot quicker and think a lot smarter and it's been a big difference for me."
Coming from a hockey family, Finley and his brother push each other during the summer to be better players.
While he's the younger brother, Finley said he's always been the one bringing the fight to his brothers.
"I've always been more physical than those two," he said with a laugh. "But they make me more competitive and I like that about them."
Finley has a goal and four points in 36 games with the Warriors this season, while also adding 57 penalty minutes.
Despite being a 16-year-old, he hasn't shied away from the physical part of the game.
"The physical play is part of my game, just getting in guys faces and making them a little mad, I like that," Finley said.
"It took a little time to get comfortable playing that style, but once I got used to it, I wasn't shy to get in guy's faces and start being physical because that just helps me play better and it's what I like doing best."
Finley's dad Jeff has also played a key part in his development.
"My dad knows so much about the game, all he wants to do is make us better and I appreciate it so much," he said.
"He watches every one of our games, he watches our shifts and he's always helping us, so it's really helpful and I love that he does that."
The Warriors just finished up a stellar road trip to the U.S. Division, finishing with a 6-2 record overall on the eight-game trek, including winning six straight against the American teams.
Finley said it's been a great bonding experience for the group.
"It's been awesome, going on a two-week road trip as a first year, it's been great to spend time with everyone, we all get closer and we're all hanging out with each other," he said.
"It's a grind, we got a couple of days off, but it's still a grind."
Now the Warriors will look to carry the momentum from the road trip into the end of the regular season with seven games to go, starting this weekend when Regina and Lethbridge come to Moose Jaw.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2024
- Quick Slump Undoes Strong Effort for Wheat Kings in Medicine Hat - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Preview: Americans At Rockets - Kelowna Rockets
- Finley Following in his Brothers' Footsteps, But Playing his Own Game - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Cougars Welcome Back Koehn Ziemmer - Prince George Cougars
- Anderson Signs with Hurricanes - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Peyton Shore Signs with Rebels - Red Deer Rebels
- Chiefs Return Home to Face Victoria Tuesday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Preview: Game 61 vs Brandon - Medicine Hat Tigers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
