The Moose Jaw Warriors added a pair of forwards in a deal with the Kootenay Ice on Monday that will help round out their roster.

The Warriors acquired 18-year-old twin brothers Keenan and Kaeden Taphorn from the Ice in exchange for fellow 18-year-old forward Nick Bowman and a sixth-round pick in 2021.

"These are two guys that have some presence on the ice, they’re bigger guys, they move pretty well, they’re going to add some depth and competitiveness to our team," said Warriors general manager Alan Millar. "Our bottom-six was a lot of similar players, we felt that we wanted to add some compete in that group and some guys that can potentially move up and we feel these two guys can do that." 

This trade gets the Warriors back up to 13 forwards on their roster as they dropped down to 12 forwards last week after 18-year-old forward Brecon Wood left the team to join the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

The Taphorns are from Yorkton, Sask. and they were both originally selected in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. Keenan -- six-foot-one, 175lbs. -- went to the Ice with the 34th overall pick in the second, while Kaedon -- six-foot-one, 180lbs. -- was selected 47th overall in the third round by Vancouver.

"Them being from Saskatchewan is a bonus," said Millar. "From talking to them, they’re pretty excited about the opportunity to come home."

The Warriors also present a fresh start for both players as they look to take the next step in their WHL careers.

Keenan has one goal and two points in 11 games this season, which gives him 11 goals and 32 points through 142 career games. Kaedon has one goal and three points this season, putting him at 11 goals and 24 points in 123 games in the WHL.

"These are two young guys that were very highly thought of in their draft years and put up big numbers in Yorkton, they played in the league at 16 and sometimes a fresh start, a new opportunity and a new voice is good for these young guys," said Millar. "They’re excited about a fresh start and we think they’re solid fits in how we want our team to look moving forward."

Bowman was acquired by the Warriors on May 3, along with a sixth-round pick in 2018, for overage forward Vince Loschiavo. In 10 games this season, the Sherwood Park, AB product had one assist and was a minus-four.

The Taphorns will be in the lineup for the Warriors on Wednesday when they battle the East Division-leading Prince Albert Raiders at Mosaic Place.