Firkus, Mateychuk Put Together Strong Resume for NHL Draft
June 14, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
After the Moose Jaw Warriors' season ended last month, the focus for two of the team's stars turned to the NHL Draft.
Jagger Firkus and Denton Mateychuk will be hoping to hear their names called in the first round of next month's draft after putting together strong sophomore seasons in the Western Hockey League.
Firkus said he's kept the draft in the back of his mind during the season, but it has his full attention now.
"It will be a really cool experience, especially I'll be able to do it with Denton, so it gets even better to be able to see what happens with him," he said.
Mateychuk said he's also turning his focus to the draft now.
"I'm excited for it," he said.
Both players were recently put through their paces at the NHL Combine and now will wait to find out where they're selected during the draft.
The resume is there for both Warriors as they look to join a long list of Warriors that have went in the first round of the NHL Draft.
Warriors head coach Mark O'Leary said both players made big strides during the season.
"I just saw their confidence grow as the season went on, they're special players that come around that often, " he said.
"They're creative, they're highly skilled, they're exciting to watch and they're a lot of fun to be around."
If both Firkus and Mateychuk go in the first round, they will be the first Warrior teammates to be selected in the opening round since Dylan McIlrath and Quinton Howden in 2010.
After putting together stellar seasons with the Warriors, Mateychuk and Firkus found themselves ranked in the top-15 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final rankings.
Firkus was one of the biggest risers during the season, moving from a 'C' rated prospect to 33rd in the midterm rankings to finally 12th in the final rankings.
He said it shows him that his hard work paid off.
"I got something that I wanted to keep going up those rankings, so I'm happy," Firkus said.
Firkus turned the heads of scouts with his 36 goals and 80 points during the 2021-22 regular season.
He made a further impression at the 2022 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game when he picked up a goal and two points, and was named the Player of the Game for Team White.
Firkus said he's pleased with how he progressed during the season.
"I came here and showed that I can be one of the top players on this team, so I'm happy I did that," he said. "I need to come back, be a leader and trying to improve myself throughout the summer."
Mateychuk put together an equally strong season. The 17-year-old was one of the highest scoring defencemen in the WHL with 13 goals and 64 points in 65 games.
"I had good season," Mateychuk stated. "I had a good regular season and played well in the playoffs, but I know there's somethings I need to improve on in the off-season and I'm going to come back a better player."
Mateychuk served as the captain for Team White at the Top Prospects Game, picking up an assist in the game.
He said he was pleased with how he played at both ends of the ice during the season.
"That was something that I wanted to improve on as I went through the year, playing that two-way game and I did a pretty good job of that and definitely evolved as a player," Mateychuk said.
The 2022 NHL Draft will be held in Montreal on July 7-8.
Western Hockey League Stories from June 14, 2022
- Pats Ink 2022 First-Round Selection Cole Temple - Regina Pats
- Firkus, Mateychuk Put Together Strong Resume for NHL Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Edmonton Oil Kings Win 2022 WHL Championship - WHL
- Game Summary: Champions - Edmonton Oil Kings
- T-Birds Season Comes to an End - Seattle Thunderbirds
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.
