Denton Mateychuk flashed a big smile as he became the latest Moose Jaw Warrior selected in the first round of the NHL Draft.
The 17-year-old defenceman was picked 12th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2022 NHL Draft on Thursday in Montreal.
“It’s the next step in my career and I’m really excited to be a part of the organization,” Mateychuk told reporters shortly after being drafted.
Congratulations to Denton Mateychuk on being selected 12th overall by the @BlueJacketsNHL!#TakeFlightMJ | #NHLDraft2022 pic.twitter.com/SHzbjCegWs
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) July 8, 2022
Mateychuk posted 64 points in 65 games this season in Moose Jaw, which was the fifth-most among defencemen in the Western Hockey League.
Originally selected by the Warriors with the 11th overall selection in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, Mateychuk is the 11th Warrior to be selected in the first round and the first since Brayden Tracey in 2019.
He’s also the first Warrior to be drafted 12th overall and the highest pick since Morgan Rielly at fifth overall in 2012.
Mateychuk said the Warriors helped get him to Thursday’s first-round moment.
“They’ve had a huge impact on my career,” he said. “Got to give a big thanks to Mark [O’Leary], Tim Hunter, they’ve really helped me in my career, getting it going and seeing what type of player I could be.”
Hear from @MJWARRIORS defenceman Denton Mateychuk after he was selected 12th overall by the @BlueJacketsNHL! pic.twitter.com/Glxdl7ixt9
— The WHL (@TheWHL) July 8, 2022
Mateychuk is the first Warrior to be selected by the Blue Jackets since Ben Knopp in 2000.
He joins teammate Martin Rysavy, who was taken by Columbus in the seventh round of 2021. Warriors prospect Corson Ceulemans was also picked by the Blue Jackets in the first round in 2021.
“I know [Columbus] has a pretty bright future, I know that Cole Sillinger, [Kent] Johnson, [David] Jiricek now and then they’ve got [Zach] Werenski, so I’m really excited about being there,” Mateychuk said.
Next up for Mateychuk will be Hockey Canada’s national junior team summer camp later this month in Calgary.
The NHL Draft continues on Friday with rounds 2-7 and Warriors forward Jagger Firkus hoping to hear his name called.