WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Firkus Starts off Second Half with a Bang

Published on December 29, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


It didn't take Jagger Firkus long to shake off the rust from the Christmas break.

The 17-year-old forward posted a hat trick and four points in Tuesday night's 7-4 win for the Moose Jaw Warriors over the Edmonton Oil Kings at Mosaic Place.

"It was good to come back from the Christmas break like that," Firkus said after practice on Wednesday. "It was good to get the win and get the team rolling as well."

The three-goal performance was Firkus's second this season and gives him a team-leading 18 goals this season.

His 18 goals are also good for seventh in the Western Hockey League, just five back of the pace set by Winnipeg ICE forward Connor McClennon.

Firkus said he's trying to build off what he was able to do in the first half.

"Coming into the second half, you want to come out hot, come out with the urge to win and urge to play your best games, I think I did that last night, so hopefully we can keep it rolling," he said.

In 23 games last season in the Subway WHL Hub, Firkus posted six goals and 14 points in 23 games, which was good for 0.61 points per game. He's almost doubled that pace so far this season with 18 goals and 36 points in 32 games.

Firkus said he's grown more comfortable on the offensive side of the puck as the season has gone on.

"I'm just finding my teammates and shooting the puck as well," he said. "I just got to make sure I get shots, even if they're not the best shots, my second goal [Tuesday] night wasn't the best shot, but it still went in."

After Tuesday's hat trick, Firkus now has six goals in his last five games and four multi-goal games this season.

"I think I have a pretty good shot, so I use it to my advantage," he said. "The coaches are really good with talking about just making sure that I shoot."

Firkus now sits one point back of Ryder Korczak for the team lead.

Korczak had two goals and three points on Tuesday.

The two players billet together and Firkus echoed comments from Korczak, saying the two players push each other to be better.

"We chirp quite a bit and we go back-and-forth, but we push each other that's for sure and he's obviously a guy that I look up to, he's been through the draft, he's been through everything, so it's really cool," he said.

Firkus is eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft. He was listed as a 'C' prospect by NHL Central Scouting in its preliminary rankings, but could be seeing his stock rise due to his stellar play this season.

Firkus said he's just focused on playing his best.

"Obviously that's on the back of your mind, but that's not the reason I want to keep playing better, it's more so to get the team where we want to be for March and April," he said.

The Warriors will return to the ice coming up on New Year's Eve when they host the Red Deer Rebels at Mosaic Place. Tickets are available at mjwarriors.ca.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2021


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.

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