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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Learning on the Fly

November 1, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


With a roster featuring 11 rookies, there are going to be a lot of firsts this season for the Moose Jaw Warriors.

With a month of the season under their belts, two rookies are settling in nicely with forward Calder Anderson and defenceman Braden Miller each picking up points last weekend.

Miller scored his first WHL goal in the Warriors' 4-2 loss to the Calgary Hitmen last Friday, while Anderson registered his first WHL point with an assist in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win in Saskatoon.

"That's pretty cool, but try not to let it get to my head," Miller said on his first goal.

The 17-year-old defenceman has four points in 12 games this season, but he said he is not focusing on his offensive game, he is just aiming to be as solid as possible in his own end first.

"I like to think I can play a two-way game, but mostly a defensive game," he said. "I like to play strong and hard against their top guys and block some shots if I need to."

Anderson showed what he can bring to the table in the two games last weekend, finishing 10-of-17 in the face-off circle on Friday and then finding his way onto the score sheet during Sunday's game, setting up fellow rookie Bryden Kiesman.

"[Kiesman] used his speed and got around the guy, put the puck in the net, so I didn't have to do too much, but it's a great feeling and hopefully we can get something rolling here," Anderson said.

Just like Miller, Anderson is not worried about putting up offensive numbers right now, but trying to stay focused on the little aspects of the game as he learns how to play in the Western Hockey League.

"It's about doing all the little things right, like getting pucks out in our zone, pressuring hard, those are things that guys like myself need to focus on every game and make sure we do those things right is the key," he said.

Anderson was originally a seventh-round pick by the Warriors out of Brandon, MB. He finished with 20 goals and 50 points in 37 games with the  AAA Wheat Kings last season.

He said the Warriors' tight locker room is making his transition into the WHL go smoothly.

"The group of guys here makes it easier to be more confident and comfortable on the ice," Anderson said.

"We're all tight, it's a great group of guys, the older guys are fantastic to the younger guys like myself and us younger guys, we all click well together, so it's definitely special having a group of guys that are so tight."

Anderson said he is been trying to follow in the footsteps of 19-year-old forward Carson Denomie, who has taken him under his wing early in the season.

"He's probably one of my best friends right now," he said. "Right off the start, we clicked well, he's showed me the ropes and he's someone who I look up to a lot and want to be like in the future."

For Miller, that player is Jadon Joseph. The two had a previous connection as they both hail from Sherwood Park, AB.

"He's been there by my side for a lot of the time and he's really helped me grow so far and I'll keep that up hopefully," Miller said.

"We're maybe a couple of years apart, but the connection is strong."

With a dozen games under his belt, Miller has received a good taste of what the WHL has to offer and he has seen where he needs to work in practice.

"Just more little positioning, you can always work on that and foot speed, foot speed is everything for a defenceman and you need that to keep moving forward, so I'd like to work on that more," he said.

With such a large group of rookies, many of them in the same 17-year-old age group, it is not lost on the players that they will soon be the core of the team and will be leaned on to lead the team in the future.

Miller said they are working to grow together and build a bond for future seasons in Moose Jaw.

"We're getting closer every day," he said. "You're always with each other, so knowing that they're by your side and growing together, it will be good."

Anderson added, "We're going to be together here for a few years hopefully, so it's definitely nice to grow a tight bond and be close with each other."

The Warriors return to the ice on Friday night to host the Red Deer Rebels at Mosaic Place. Puck drops at 7 p.m. and tickets are available at the Mosaic Place Box Office.

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