The Moose Jaw Warriors were very happy with the crop of players they added to the organization during the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.

Those players have started to live up to the expectations as well now with six players named to the Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup rosters by their respective provinces on Monday.

“The organization is pleased, but this is about the players,” said General Manager Alan Millar. “For those six young men to start in the (Hockey Canada) Program of Excellence, to get an opportunity at the Under-16 level with their provincial branch, play in that tournament, we're really excited for those young guys to get that experience and build from that.”

Luka Burzan, Austin Chorney and Coleton Bilodeau will be suiting up for Team British Columbia at the tournament, which will be held in Calgary on Oct. 28-Nov. 1. Louis Jamernik was named to Team Alberta, Connor Hayward to Team Saskatchewan and Jett Woo to Team Manitoba.

The Warriors have prospects represented on all four provincial teams.

“Those guys have gone through the Under-16 camps and earned their way onto the team, and that experience is part of their development,” said Millar. “This is part of the experience that in the big picture is good for their development.

“They work their way through, they play into the tournament, they start to get into the Program of Excellence – whether that results in an Under-17, Under-18 or World Junior appearance – it's all part of the big picture, getting that experience and these six guys are going to get that.”

The Warriors are sending the second most players to the tournament out of the 22 WHL teams. Millar said these prospects getting the chance to play at a high level against the best players in their age group is huge.

“There's lots of buzz about our young players, our first three picks we're obviously excited about – Woo, Burzan and Chorney – but a guy like Bilodeau going through the process and earning his way; Hayward as a list guy; and a lot of people thought we stepped up on Jamernik, but there's lots that we like about the way he plays,” said Millar.

“Lots of good things and kudos to our scouts for going through our draft and all these guys getting the opportunity at the Under-16 level. At the same time, this about those players earning their way and we're excited about them getting the opportunity.”

Hayward is also one of four Moose Jaw Generals that cracked the Team Saskatchewan roster, along with Cole Fonstad, Jake Tremblay and Devan Harrison.

This will be the fifth Western Canada Challenge Cup, Team Alberta has captured three of the titles, including in 2011 at Mosaic Place with Brayden Point leading the way. Click here for a complete game schedule and rosters.