2014 CHL Import Draft pick Jiri Smejkal tries to cut in between Jayden Halbgewachs and another defender during Sunday's Black and White Intrasquad game at Mosaic Place. (Photo: Stephen Simon/MJ Warriors)

Two years of high draft picks and smart trading made for a competitive training camp for the Moose Jaw Warriors over the weekend.

The camp played out how many had expected it to as the young players pushed many of the returning players throughout the weekend with solid showings. The Warriors' front office and coaching staff are coming away impressed with what they saw in the camp.

“In general, all good, really impressed with the young guys,” said General Manager Alan Millar. “I thought some young guys, (Christos) Zinis and (Colin) Paradis in particular, who had injuries last year and we were wondering about their development, had real good camps.”

The Warriors wrapped up camp on Sunday afternoon with their annual Black and White Intrasquad game, where again the young, and new, players shined. Jayden Halbgewachs led the charge for Team Black, picking up a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win.

“I felt good as camp went on and I scored some goals now near the end and was able to make some nice plays,” said Halbgewachs, a former first round pick who is looking to make the team as a 17-year-old. “I'm pretty confident coming into this year, I worked hard over these last two summers to be a Moose Jaw Warrior.”

16-year-old forward Noah Gregor, along with Kolten Olynek and Jaimen Yakubowski, both acquired via trade during the offseason, scored the other goals for Team Black in the win. Brayden Point opened the scoring for Team White, but that was all they could muster.

Many veterans turned in strong camps like 19-year-old goalie Justin Paulic, 20-year-olds Tanner Eberle and Yakubowski and 19-year-olds Brandon Potomak and Austin Adam, but most of the talk was focused on the play of the young roster hopefuls.

“I'm impressed with the young guys and all in all, it was an encouraging camp,” said Millar. “It was the competitiveness that we wanted and we saw.

“We wanted this to be that next step in terms of starting to see the results of the decisions that we made the last couple of years as part of this process and the building of this team.”

After three days on the ice and four scrimmages, Millar came away wanting a bit more out of some other veteran players that might be on the bubble for roster spots this season, especially up front.

“There's some returning guys that have got to figure some things out pretty quick,” said Millar. “There's some guys here that took for granted the last couple of days of where we're at and don't quite understand the depth that we have and the ability of these young guys. We certainly have some returning players that need to be better, starting (Monday).”

Some decisions were made after Sunday's intrasquad game, but the real tough ones will come over the next few weeks as the team progresses through the preseason, which they open on Tuesday with a rookie game against the Swift Current Broncos.

Another Year of Development Pays Off

Jayden Halbgewachs and Ryan Gardiner both had shots at making the Warriors last year as 16-year-olds, but both players were sent back to midget AAA for another year of seasoning.

Both players are coming away happy with that experience and feel it made them better players in the long run.

“It's 100 per cent,” said Gardiner. “I got way better going back, got more ice (time) to develop and I'm happy with the decision.

“My overall game (improved). I got to work on the power play, PK and just my overall game.”

Gardiner went on to win the Manitoba Midget AAA League's Top Defenceman award and he said going back for another gave him more confidence coming into this camp.

“I definitely showed them that I could play in my defensive zone,” he said. “I wanted to show my offence as well, so this game I was able to step up and show my offence against the vets.”

After initial disappointment last year, Halbgewachs said he saw the positives in going back to the Regina Pat Canadians last year and he feels it helped him get more prepared to make the jump into the WHL this season.

“I got to be the best player on the ice and the best player on my team, so going back there helped out,” said Halbgewachs, who finished third in the league in scoring with 28 goals and 66 points in 42 games. The Regina native also got the chance to play in four games with the Warriors, picking up one assist.

“Getting called up for a few games last year helped out a lot,” he added. “You get a feel for the guys in the room, but also on the ice, the level of speed, which helped out coming into this year.”

Both Gardiner and Halbgewachs made strong cases during camp to find themselves on the Warriors' final roster.

Goalie Mitchell Adamyk makes a nice poke check save during a rookie camp scrimmage.

Goaltending Strong Suit For Warriors

For the first time in a number of years, the Warriors aren't searching for a goaltender at back-to-back training camps and they can expect that to continue.

Justin Paulic made 30 saves in just over 30 minutes of work during Sunday's Black and White Intrasquad game as he looks to bounce back from struggle-filled 2013-14 season. He's followed up by Zach Sawchenko, who doesn't turn 17 until Dec. 30, and 16-year-old Brody Willms.

Mitchell Adamyk was the goalie that had everyone talking during camp however as the listed player made it through rookie camp and played strong during main camp as well.

“I'm pretty happy,” said the Winnipeg native. “The first game I was a little nervous, but then my confidence just kept going up.”

Adamyk stopped 12 of 13 shots during the intrasquad game to finish on a high note. He shot of suiting up for the Warriors are long with Sawchenko and Willms both ahead of him, but he's given the Warriors a nice problem to have and one they've been working on creating.

“You need depth in that area and you've got to have great goaltending to win,” said Millar, who stated he wanted to break the franchise trend of trading for experienced goaltending.

Nine Players Re-Assigned

Adamyk was one of nine players that the Warriors re-assigned after Sunday's intrasquad game.

15-year-old defencemen Marcus Kichton and Brandon Armstrong were also sent down, while 16-year-old Nick Leitner and 17-year-old Ben Shushkovskey won't break camp with the team.

On forward, the Warriors re-assigned 16-year-olds Tristin Langan and Jaxen Gemmell, as well as 17-year-olds Tanner Jeannot and Jake Leitner.

That leaves Moose Jaw with 34 players on their roster (three goalies, 11 defencemen and 20 forwards).

Proceeds From Games Donated To Charity

Admission from Sunday's Black and White game was donated to the Journey To Hope here in Moose Jaw in memory of Warriors prospect Ethan Williams. Williams died earlier this month when he committed suicide.

About $2,000 was raised through Sunday's game. Admission from Tuesday's preseason opener against the Swift Current Broncos will also be donated to the Journey To Hope.

Williams was drafted by the Warriors in the fifth round of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. He was expected to be at this year's training camp and competing for a spot on the squad.