The Moose Jaw Warriors came away with two skilled forwards from Wednesday’s 2023 CHL Import Draft.
Moose Jaw used its first-round pick on Slovakian forward Andrej Tomasec and then picked Czechia forward Patrik Kral with the team’s second-round pick.
“We got two players that are highly skilled and skate really well,” Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger said. “They’re going to complement our 2006 group really well.”
The Warriors identified Tomasec as a target for their 48th overall selection in the first round.
The 17-year-old forward stands in at five-foot-11 and 181 lbs. Tomasec posted 15 goals, eight assists, and 23 points in 33 games last season with KooKoo under-18 team in Finland.
“Tomasec is a highly skilled player, skates really well, and can separate himself with his speed,” Ripplinger said.
In the second round, the Warriors used the 108th overall pick to take Kral out of Czechia.
The six-foot, 169 lbs forward split his time between the BK Mlada Boleslav’s under-17 and under-20 teams last season.
In 43 total games, he posted 12 goals and 34 points.
“Patrik is a very crafty player that sees the ice real well,” Ripplinger said.
The Warriors are looking forward to having both players at training camp this season.
The team has also remained in contact with 20-year-old Czechia forward Martin Rysavy regarding a potential return for another season in Moose Jaw.
“There’s a chance he could come back and we’ll have to make some tough decisions at that time,” Ripplinger said.
The Warriors will open training camp on Aug. 31 at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.