MOOSE JAW -- The Moose Jaw Warriors have added a pair of players in the 2025 Canadian Hockey League U.S. Priority Draft.
Thanks to some luck in the draft lottery last month, the Warriors had the second overall pick. They used that high selection to take Minneapolis product R.J. Thompson from the storied Detroit Little Caesars 14U program.
A 5-foot-10, 150-pound right-shooting forward, the 2010-born Thompson had an outstanding season in the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association U14 league, putting up 28 goals and 52 points in only 20 games.
Thompson consistently produced at or near a two-point-a-game pace throughout the season. He also had six goals and eight points in five games at the U.S. U14 Nationals, and while playing with the Western Canada Prime U15 team at the World Selects International tournament added a further three goals and 13 points in six games.
With the changing hockey landscape and CHL players now able to attend NCAA schools, it’s hoped that the Warriors will be an enticing team to play for their newest young top prospects.
“We’re getting a real high-octane offensive player that can bring skill and shoot,” said Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger on the team website. “Hopefully… he’ll be in our lineup to produce a lot of offense for us.”
The Warriors also had the 45th overall pick and selected Scottsdale, Ariz. product Derek Langkow, who played last season with the Phoenix Junior Coyotes 14U AAA team.
A 2010-born forward, Langkow already has a lot of size at 6-foot-1 and 178 pounds. He had an assist in four games in the Tier 1 14U Elite Hockey League and had a goal and assist in five games in the John Reid Memorial tournament.
“He’s a big strong power forward who plays really physical,” said Ripplinger. “As we move into the future he’ll bring us some size and grit.”
The 2025 WHL Prospects Draft continues this morning, and you can follow along with the Moose Jaw Warriors’ picks on and .
