WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Warriors' Defensive Group Firing on All Cylinders Offensively

February 3, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


If you've watched a Moose Jaw Warriors' game this season, you've no doubt noticed how involved the team's defencemen are offensively.

It isn't exclusive to the Warriors' top pairing of Denton Mateychuk and Daemon Hunt, who are among the league leaders in scoring by defencemen.

"We have a real diverse group of defencemen, it helps our team having that and it's been a pleasure to watch them all grow," Warriors assistant coach Gord Burnett said.

The Warriors have 32 goals from defencemen this season, which is the second-most in the Western Hockey League, trailing only the top-ranked Edmonton Oil Kings, who have 35.

Max Wanner, who has a career-high three goals and 16 points this season, said he's not too surprised to see the Warriors near the top of the league.

"We've worked hard all year and contributed lots to our offence from the back end and a lot of times it's just about getting shots through," Wanner said.

Warriors defenceman Lucas Brenton rushes the puck up ice during action last month against Winnipeg. (Nick Pettigrew/Moose Jaw Warriors)

The Warriors' defensive group all bring the ability to skate with the puck and have a knack for getting their shots through traffic and onto the net.

That's led to the coaching staff giving the team's seven defencemen the green light to play an aggressive, offensive style throughout the lineup.

"We encourage all our guys to get involved offensively and as of late, we've been collecting some goals and assists on the back end," Burnett said.

"As the season goes on, all the guys have done a great job of focusing on their own development, which as you become a better defender, you can grow offensively. If you know what you're doing in your own end, you can take a couple of risks up the ice."

Burnett said it comes down to the little details for the defensive group and continually working to get better in those areas.

"Where you're looking to get that puck, get it off quickly, a little bit of footwork too, we work on those things and they've been growing, but it's credit to them, they've really focused on their own development," he said.

Hunt said the group has really come together.

"We take pride in defending our blue line and good defence starts with good offence," he said. "So just maintaining that and shutting down the top lines is really key to the way the guys are playing right now."

Warriors captain Daemon Hunt celebrates one of his 11 goals this season. (Nick Pettigrew/Moose Jaw Warriors)

Mateychuk leads the Warriors' defence with 38 points, which third in the WHL among defencemen.

Hunt is tied for the league-lead in goals with 11, despite missing 12 games due to injury.

The duo has played together throughout the season and has built strong chemistry.

"We definitely play off each other in the D zone and in the offensive zone," Mateychuk said. "When play with a guy like that, you develop a bit of habits and see what he does and what you can do to complement him and the other way around."

The offence doesn't stop there though, as Wanner, Majid Kaddoura and Matthew Gallant all have three goals each and double digit point totals.

Lucas Brenton has added two goals and 10 points as well this season.

Cole Jordan has suited up in just 17 games this season, but has one goal and five points.

"It comes down to our team structure," Wanner said. "We've always got a third guy high, so we have that green light to go and as long as you've got eyes before feet, you're looking at making sure you've got support, you can go in and help out on the offensive end."

The Warriors' defence will look to continue its strong play at both ends of the ice when the team heads on the road this weekend to face the Swift Current Broncos and Medicine Hat Tigers.

Moose Jaw carries a six-game winning streak in Friday's game in Swift Current.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2022


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