Dmitri Zaitsev didn’t take much convincing to come join the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The 18-year-old import defenceman signed his WHL Standard Player Agreement, officially committing to the Warriors for the 2016-17 season, on Friday.

“We’re pleased with how the Import Draft fell for us with Zaitsev,” said General Manager Alan Millar.  “He’s a guy that has some roots in North America, he’s got some international experience and he’s a guy that we think is a good player and he’ll be a very valuable piece of the puzzle here for the next couple of years.”

Zaitsev arrived in Moose Jaw with his countryman Nikita Popugaev on Wednesday and has been getting acquainted with some of his new teammates and the city since arriving.

The product of Togliatti, Russia is coming to the Warriors after playing a season in the North American Hockey League with the Wilkes-Barrie/Scranton Knights.  He had seven goals and 22 points in 53 games last season.

“Last year was great year, it was good experience for me,” said Zaitsev. “(Playing the North American game) is hard to play and I didn’t play power play every game, but now I know how to play.”

The six-foot-one d-man was drafted in the seventh round, 207th overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 2016 NHL Draft.

“I was in their camp two months ago, it was great,” he said.

The Warriors are hoping that Zaitsev can step in and have an immediate impact on the defensive core.  He said he’s looking forward to helping the team find success.

“I want to win every game,” stated Zaitsev.

The Russian defenceman will be hitting the ice with his teammates for the first time next when the Warriors open training camp at Mosaic Place on Thursday.  The annual Black and White intrasquad game is next Sunday.