Firkus Ready for Big Season with Warriors After Busy Offseason
Published on August 24, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
It's been a whirlwind offseason for Moose Jaw Warriors forward Jagger Firkus.
After an incredible 2021-22 season with the Warriors, the 18-year-old crossed off some major milestones.
Firkus heard his name called in the NHL Draft, attended his first camp with the Seattle Kraken and had an opportunity to show what he's capable of at Canada's World Junior Summer Camp.
Despite all that, Firkus has also focused on recharging.
"I'm in the gym every single day and on the ice pretty much everyday... the summer is pretty busy, so I wanted to be around my family a lot and be around my friends and I've got to do that a lot as well," the Irma, AB product said.
"It's nice to have some downtime and golf with a couple buddies, which I don't take for granted anymore."
Firkus turned heads during his first full season with the Warriors, leading the team with 36 goals and 80 points in 66 games during the regular season and adding six goals and 12 points in 10 playoff games.
That led to the exciting forward being selected with the 35th overall pick by the Kraken in the 2023 NHL Draft last month.
Firkus said that was moment he'll remember for a long time.
"The whole thing was pretty cool," he said. "I had a bunch of friends and family that actually came with me to Montreal.
"Obviously, it would have been nice to get picked earlier, but I'm happy to be a Kraken and I'm really excited about my future."
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JULY 08: Jagger Firkus is selected by the Seattle Kraken during Round Two of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 08, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Right after the draft, Firkus headed to Seattle for the Kraken's development camp. He said it was special to take part in his first camp at the NHL level.
"Going there, I just wanted to be a sponge and try to soak it in," Firkus said. "Going to Seattle and seeing their facilities and everything about the city was pretty cool."
Firkus' busy July didn't stop there as following the Kraken's camp, he travelled to Calgary to take part in Hockey Canada's World Junior Summer Camp.
Firkus said getting to share in that experience with Warriors teammate Denton Mateychuk made it even better.
"It was pretty special, it was a fun experience," he said. "I got to meet a lot of new people and got to meet a lot of new staff as well from all over Canada and it was pretty cool."
Getting the opportunity to go up against the best players in the country, Firkus said he felt like he measured up pretty well.
"Some people might disagree, but I think I did pretty good," he said. "I stood my ground, I was playing my game, so that's really all you can ask for is going there and trying to show them how you play."
The busy summer hasn't stopped Firkus from working on his game as he has his sights sets on improving heading into his third season in Moose Jaw.
"Speed was one big thing that I wanted to put on myself and make sure I was getting better at every single day and I think I've done a good job of that through the summer," he said.
After a stellar second season with the Warriors, there will be high expectations on Firkus heading into the 2022-23 season.
Those expectations will also be on the Warriors, who advanced to the second round of the 2022 WHL Playoffs and return a strong lineup this season.
Firkus said he plans on embracing the high expectations.
"That's the best thing," he said. "If you have high expectations and you want to meet them that makes you push yourself even harder. It's part of the game and if you have high expectations, you must be doing something right."
Firkus and the Warriors are back on the ice at the Moose Jaw Events Centre next week for training camp.
Western Hockey League Stories from August 24, 2022
- Royals Announce 16 Promotional Dates for 2022-2023 Season - Victoria Royals
- Firkus Ready for Big Season with Warriors After Busy Offseason - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Sebastian Cossa and Team Canada Capture Gold at 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Alumni Spotlight: Team McCabe - Spokane Chiefs
- Pats to Play Pre-Season Game against Broncos in Estevan - Regina Pats
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