Korczak & Jordan Return to Moose Jaw in Time for Home Opener
September 28, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
The Moose Jaw Warriors are receiving some reinforcements ahead of the team's season opener on Friday night.
Forward Ryder Korczak and defenceman Cole Jordan returned from their respective NHL training camps on Monday and will be in the lineup when the team opens the season against the Saskatoon Blades at Mosaic Place.
"It's nice to be back, see the guys again, we should have a pretty good team, so we're going to make a run for it and it's going to be nice seeing the fans here too," Korczak said.
The Yorkton product traded in the small town for the bright lights of New York City for the past few weeks as he attended his first training camp with the Rangers.
Korczak said it was an eye-opening experience.
"It was super exciting, going to New York, I didn't know what to expect there, it's busy, but the guys were good, the coaches were good and it's a high pace there," he said.
Korczak was selected in the third round, 75th overall, by the Rangers in this spring's NHL Draft.
He said adapting to the pace at the NHL level was his biggest takeaway from the camp.
"Speed and execution," he said. "You only get a couple of chances per game, so you've really got to execute on the chances you get.
"I felt good out there, obviously the speed is pretty quick there, but I felt good, so exciting stuff."
Defenceman Cole Jordan returned to practice with the Warriors on Monday.
Jordan didn't have to travel far for his first NHL training camp as he headed west to Calgary to hit the ice with the Flames.
The 2020 fifth round selection said it was surreal experience to be on the ice as an NHL player.
"It was just an absolutely unbelievable experience being able to be out there with some of the best players in the world, being coached by some of the best coaches in the world," he said.
Jordan said getting a taste of the NHL only makes him more hungry.
"Being there, you see all the work ethic and all the time that the pros put in to be at that level, so that makes me want to try to do that and get to that level as well," he said.
Jordan has played 61 games over two seasons with the Warriors. He said the game at the pro level is a big jump up from junior.
"The speed and the passing, everything is just much better, you need to be on your game all the time," Jordan said.
"The first skate was a little bit nerve racking, but after a few drills, you just settle in and I think I did that and it was alright for myself."
With Jordan and Korczak now back in Moose Jaw, the two players are focused on using their NHL camp experience to make the Warriors better.
"From a team standpoint, we want to get back in the playoffs and get back in a contending spot, so I'm just going to try to use my abilities, brining my best every night and try to help contribute to the team as much as I can," Jordan said.
Korczak is also focused on the post-season.
"I want to win a lot of games, I want to go for a playoff run and see what that's all about," he said.
The Warriors start the 2021-22 regular season on Friday night when they host the Saskatoon Blades at Mosaic Place. Tickets are on sale now.
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