A long-time member of the Moose Jaw Warriors’ front office is moving up to the pros and an experienced WHL front office member is joining the team.

Warriors’ director of scouting Doug Gasper has accepted a scouting position with an NHL team, while the Warriors have hired Regina’s Jason Ripplinger as the new Assistant General Manager to fill that hole.

General Manager Alan Millar said while losing Gasper is bittersweet, they’re happy to see him receive this opportunity.

“He’s certainly set a standard in terms of how we want to draft and develop our players and how we prepare for the Bantam Draft,” said Millar. “It’s tough to lose a quality person like Doug, but at the same time, our league is about advancement whether it’s a player, coach or scout, and for Doug to get an opportunity to get to go to the National Hockey League is a real special opportunity for him.”

Gasper joined the Warriors in 2007 and was promoted to Assistant Head Scout in 2012 before being named Director of Scouting in 2015.

Ripplinger comes to the Warriors after spending the past 17 seasons with the Vancouver Giants. He had been with the Giants since their inception in 2001, originally being hired as the Head Scout before moving into the role of Director of Player Personnel in 2008.

During his time with the Giants, Ripplinger helped the team to a WHL Championship in 2006 and a Memorial Cup in 2007.

“Jason was the number one guy that I targeted when we lost Doug,” said Millar.

The Warriors will be creating the Assistant General Manager role for Ripplinger and he will be involved in all aspects of the front office.

“He’ll oversee our scouting staff, the bantam draft and our player development initiatives,” said Millar. “Jason is very well respected throughout hockey, he’s also spent some time with the Chicago Blackhawks and 17 years with the Vancouver Giants. He brings a wealth of experience and will be an excellent addition to our team.

Ripplinger lives in Regina and stated in a media release that this was an opportunity that he couldn’t pass up.

“The opportunity to work with Alan Millar, the direction the Warriors are going and being close to my family were all keys in making my decision,” said Ripplinger.

The Warriors are now preparing for training camp coming up at the end of August.