The Moose Jaw Warriors goalie situation was sorted out over the weekend with the release of 18-year-old Spencer Tremblay. That move leaves 17-year-olds Daniel Wapple and Justin Paulic to man the crease for the tribe heading into the home opener on Friday night.
The two rookie goalies, who both drafted by the Warriors in 2010 WHL Bantam Draft -- Wapple going in the 4th round, 82nd overall, and Paulic being taken in the 8th round, 164th overall -- will work as a tandem with no set starter named prior to the season.
Wapple says Paulic and him are expecting to feed off each other throughout the upcoming season, "I think that we're just going to push each other and make each other better. I think it will be good having both of us as rookies, we'll be able to lean on each other a little bit.
"Me and Justin have gotten along really good since day one, so it's going to be really nice. Instead of where you usually want to be above the guy, but we're both the same age, were both fighting for a spot, so now we're just going to battle."
"We've really hit it off," added Paulic. "I'm really looking forward (to working with Wapple), he's a great guy and he wants to help me get better and I'll help him get better too."
Paulic feels that having that teammate who is experience the same things he is will be a big benefit to both players as they start their WHL careers, "It's always key to have someone to look to and know what you're feeling especially as a goalie."
The last time Warrior fans saw Paulic, he was coming out of the stands to get the start in Game 4 of the WHL Eastern Conference Final and leading the tribe to a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings, their only win of the series. Paulic made 28 saves in his first WHL playoff action and only second WHL game.
The Thompson, Manitoba native went 1-0-1 during the preseason with a 2.40 GAA and an .800 save percentage. He says he worked hard over the summer to get ready for the jump up to junior hockey, "I spent all summer in Winnipeg working with Rick St. Croix, getting some ice and training. It was very helpful and helped improve my game."
Paulic describes himself as a steady goalie with not too much flashy about his game, "I just play a cool, calm game, try to stick to my angles and take away as much net as possible. I just try to let the puck hit me."
Wapple (pictured, right) comes to Moose Jaw from the Saskatoon Blazers Midget AAA program where he took first-team All-Star honours last season. He says he's excited to get his WHL career .jpg)
The Saskatoon born goalie isn't the biggest, coming in at 5'10" and 170-pounds, but he says his best trait is his ability to battle and never give up on a play, "I'm not the biggest guy in the world, so I've got to make up for it in other ways, so compete on every puck and be consistent."
The two goalies don't know who will be between the pipes on Friday night at Mosaic Place when the Warriors host the Swift Current Broncos to open the season, but they'll be in it together throughout the season/
You can catch all of the home opener action live on Country 100 (100.7 FM) on Friday night, starting with the pre-game ceremonies at around 6:30pm. Voice of the Warriors James Gallo, Derek Kletzel and Marc Smith will have the all the action.
Justin Paulic speaks with Marc Smith about the upcoming year.
Daniel Wapple talks about the new season with Marc Smith.
Thu, Apr 25, 12:00 AM
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