The Moose Jaw Warriors acquired Tristyn DeRoose to add some physicality into their lineup and that’s what the 18-year-old forward is here to provide.

“I like to mix it up, get things going, I don’t mind to drop the gloves, I like sticking up for my teams and contribute when I can,” said DeRoose after his first practice with the Warriors earlier this week.

DeRoose was traded to Moose Jaw from the Vancouver Giants on Tuesday in exchange for a 2020 sixth round pick.

The physical forward finished last season with one goal, six points and 91 penalty minutes, which included 15 fighting majors, the second most in the Western Hockey League.

The six-foot-three said he’s excited to be in Moose Jaw and see where he fits into this team’s lineup.

“It’s a new opportunity and I’m happy to get things going with Moose Jaw, it’s a good team and a good organization,” he said. “This is a team that can get to the playoffs and I’m happy to contribute in anyway possible.

“There’s a lot of skilled guys out there and it should be a fun year.”

DeRoose hails from Ceylon, Saskatchewan and he said it’s nice to get to play close to home after spending last season in Vancouver.

“My parents are happy, so that’s a big thing. I’ll have a lot more support at games, which is nice,” he said.

DeRoose should make his debut this weekend when the Warriors close out the preseason with a home-and-home series against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Defenceman Colin Paradis in action last season with the Warriors. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Paradis Comfortable in His Role

Colin Paradis is one of the veterans on the Warriors’ back-end heading into the season as he enters his third campaign with Moose Jaw.

The 19-year-old defenceman said that he knows the role he’s expected to fill with the likes of Josh Brook and Jett Woo manning the Warriors’ blue line.

“I feel like I can just be a real steady presence back there, play a good, solid defensive game, and just play a role night-in and night-out of just being a reliable guy on the back-end,” said Paradis.

Going into this third season, there has been one noticeable difference for Paradis so far and that’s his conditioning. He posted some of the best numbers during the team’s fitness testing to open training camp and has carried that over to the ice.

Paradis said coming into this season in the best shape possible was a focus during the offseason.

“I really wanted to come into camp in shape, that was one of my goals over the summer and I did that, and it paid off,” he said.

“I’ve been able to show the work that I did over the summer and am just getting back into the swing of things, getting ready for the start of the regular season.”

The Warriors had four defencemen from last year’s team return this season, including Paradis. With the addition of the Warriors have a strong group heading into the season.

Paradis said he’s willing to play whatever role the coaches want him to.

“Coming into these two games against Brandon, I just want to show that I can be steady back there,” he said.

The Warriors and Wheat Kings meet on Friday in Brandon and then at Mosaic Place on Saturday night.

Saturday’s game will mark the return of Warriors hockey to Country 100 with James Gallo, Derek Kletzel and Marc Smith hitting the air, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:55 p.m.