Friday is opening day in the Western Hockey League and the Moose Jaw Warriors will open their 2019-2020 season with a game against the Regina Pats.

Despite the fact he's been here less than a year, there may be no one more experienced in the rivalry than Warriors forward Carson Denomie.

Born in Regina, he's played a few games against the Pats as a member of the Warriors. That's a rare thing right now on such a young team.

“We’re definitely younger than last year and I think everybody knows that,” said Denomie. “I think we’re still going to be a competitive hockey team and we still can win a lot of games. That’s what we’re going to be looking at doing. Going in for the start of the season is going to be exciting.

“Being able to do it in Regina is a bit of a perk but I think everyone’s just really excited right now.”

Warriors general manager Alan Millar talked at the team's annual general meeting Thursday with a message that they have a group of 11 17-year-old players that they want to develop to be a strong unit in a couple of years.

“You look at those 11 17-year-olds, 10 of them have come through our development plan either drafted or listed at 15 or 16 years old,” Millar said. “Ryder Korczak is the one exception we traded for from Calgary.”

Millar said they believe there's value in players growing up together and having success together.

“We’re excited to look at this group in terms of how they develop and see what they look like when they’re a significant group at 19 years of age,” he said.

The Warriors will be led at forward by overage Jadon Joseph, Brayden Tracey – who is still at Anaheim Ducks camp – and Korczak. They also have veteran presence in 19-year-olds Denomie, Tate Popple, Kaeden and Keenan Taphorn. Cameron Sterling, who recently turned 18, and lone import Daniil Stepanov will be getting time as well at forward

Some of those 17-year-olds getting their first taste of WHL experience include Payton McMekznie, Cade Hayes, Bryden Kiesman, Calder Anderson and Kade Runke. At 16, Eric Alarie could get significant ice time off the hop.

The defence right now has 19-yearold veteran Matthew Benson joined by 18-year-olds Matthew Sanders, Alek Sukunda and Drae Gardiner who are looking to get more time. Daemon Hunt, at 17, will get the lions share of special teams and 5-on-5 time, and other 17-year-olds are Braden Miller, Cory King and Cole Jordan.

Bailey Brkin, 20, will be looking to get a lot of starts in the first month or so as Adam Evanoff recovers from injury. Brkin will be backed up by 17-year-old rookie Jackson Berry.

Voice of the Warriors James Gallo will have all the action, starting with the pre-game show tonight on Country 100 at 6:40 p.m.