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Moose Jaw Warriors

Mateychuk Ready to Impress at Blue Jackets Camp

September 14, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Denton Mateychuk got his first taste of the National Hockey League immediately after the draft in July.

After being selected with the 12th overall pick in the first round, Mateychuk travelled to Columbus to take part in development camp with the Blue Jackets.

The Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman said that experience will help him a lot as he prepares to head to his first NHL training camp this week.

"Really realized how fast the game is at the next level and [how important it is] having good gaps, being able to close things quickly and move pucks fast," he said. "I tried to work on that a lot this summer and now I'll try to do that there."

Mateychuk was impressive enough at development camp to earn a three-year, entry level contract with Columbus.

While he's excited to get back there and show how much he improved over the past few months, he said he knows that staying within himself is key.

"I know what my game is, they do too, so just doing that and playing that way is what I need to do there," Mateychuk said.

Mateychuk put together a stellar season with the Warriors in 2021-22, finishing with 13 goals and 64 points in 65 games. He added a goal and 10 points in 10 playoff games as well.

All that earned him WHL East Division Defenceman of the Year and First Team All-Star honours.

A highly skilled defenceman, Mateychuk has arrived 0.88 points per game so far in his WHL career.

He said he's focused on continuing to take his game to another level heading into the new season.

"I've improved on a lot of things, I worked on my shot a lot and just my all around game," Mateychuk said. "Did a lot of gap control things and making sure I could shut down plays quick.

"I'm happy with what I did this summer and there's always stuff to work on, but I took a big step this summer."

Mateychuk showed it in his only preseason action so far with the Warriors, registering three assists in last Friday's preseason opener against the Swift Current Broncos.

Now he will hit the ice, along with fellow Warrior and Columbus seventh round pick Martin Rysavy, with the Blue Jackets at the annual Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament in Michigan.

"I'm really excited," Mateychuk said. "I worked really hard this summer and it's all building up to this, so I'm really excited to get there and play my game."

Mateychuk, Rysavy and the Blue Jackets face-off on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues, on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings and wrap up the tournament against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.

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