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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Larson Excited to Finish His WHL Debut Career Close to Home

January 20, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


It's been a busy week for Cordel Larson.

The 20-year-old forward found on Monday that he had be traded from the Spokane Chiefs to the Moose Jaw Warriors.

He drove 13 hours from Spokane to Moose Jaw on Tuesday and suited up in his first game with the Warriors on Wednesday.

"I didn't really see the trade coming, so it was kind of unexpected when it did happen, obviously a lot of emotions leaving Spokane after almost four years, but I'm super excited to be here really close to family," Larson said after practice on Thursday.

Larson had a Warriors debut to remember on Wednesday as he scored twice and finished with three points in Moose Jaw's 8-2 win over Calgary at Mosaic Place.

He's the first mid-season acquisition by the Warriors to have three points in his debut since Ty Wishart had three assists on Jan. 9, 2008.

"It was awesome," Larson said. "Nice to get the first one out of the way, just kind of finding chemistry with my linemates and getting to know the staff and getting to know the organization, so it was awesome to start off with a win."

Head coach Mark O'Leary said he was impressed with what Larson brought to the table in his first game after a long travel day to get to Moose Jaw.

"W got a pretty good glimpse at what he's going to bring," he said. "He's tenacious, he's fast, he's hard on pucks and he's a pain in the butt to play against, he'll be a popular guy here in Moose Jaw and on our team, and he'll impact our game on a nightly basis."

Larson comes to Moose Jaw with 173 games of experience over four seasons in the Western Hockey League. He has 32 goals and 88 points in his WHL career.

He said he's going to bring a solid two-way game to the Warriors' lineup.

"I'd say I'm a solid 200-foot player, kind of a grittier style, face-paced, move the puck well, I like to share the puck with my linemates," Larson said.

Larson is from Weyburn and he said getting to finish his WHL career close to home was a big positive of Monday's trade for him.

"It means a lot," he said. "During a difficult time with COVID, my family couldn't get down into the States, they haven't watched me play in almost two years, so it means everything to be closer to home and for them to be able to watch these games."

The Warriors sit in a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference and are in the thick of the race for a playoff spot.

Larson said he's excited to be joining the team to help push for the post-season.

"This is a great team, it's a playoff caliber team, so I just want to fit in and do my part," he said.

"It's a great group of guys, all the older guys have been awesome and the whole staff has been really good at introducing themselves and making me fell welcome, so I couldn't be happier."

Larson and the Warriors will hit the road this weekend for three-games in four nights in Alberta. The road trip starts on Saturday in Red Deer, the Warriors have a rematch with Calgary on Sunday and then finish up the trek on Tuesday in Edmonton.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2022


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