The Moose Jaw Warriors kick-off their 2018 preseason schedule on Friday afternoon against the Saskatoon Blades.

The two East Division rivals will square off at the Brandt Centre in Regina as part of the Pats Preseason Tournament. Moose Jaw will also go up against the Pats on Saturday night.

Friday's game marks the first opportunity for the players that broke camp with the team to impress the coaching staff during real game action.

The common theme around the Warriors so far this season is opportunity with a number of young players coming in looking to crack the squad.

Defenceman Drae Gardiner was able to get into the Warriors' lineup for three games last season and showed well. He's now looking to parlay that into a roster spot this season.

"I worked hard over the summer and I've been looking forward to this tryout my whole life, I've dreamed of playing in the (Western Hockey League) and now that I have a chance, I'm more than excited," said Gardiner.

"A lot of the vets have helped me out, they've calmed me down, told me what I need to do and that's helped me out with this tryout."

Gardiner was originally selected by the Warriors with the 166th overall pick in the eighth round of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. He had three goals, 15 points and 40 penalty minutes in 34 games last season with the Calgary Midget AAA Buffaloes.

The five-foot-eight, 170-pound defenceman said that knowing what is expected of him after playing with the team last season will help him in his quest to make the team.

"Confidence is everything right now, having those games under my belt gives me the belief that I can play here and I belong here so that always helps," said Gardiner.

"I just want to show the coaches that I can play here and that I'm not going to just be the seventh defenceman, I want to be in the top four and I can play along with Josh Brook and Jett Woo."

Gardiner's teammate with the Buffaloes last season, forward Cameron Sterling is also hoping to secure a spot on the Warriors this season. He came into camp as a listed player last season and turned heads to earn a WHL Standard Player Agreement.

"I'm very nervous but very excited at the same time," said Sterling. "I'm lucky to even have a chance to make the team and I'm just trying to work my hardest to make it."

Sterling had seven goals and 21 points in 34 games last season with the Buffaloes. He also had a goal and two points in two games with the Canmore Eagles in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Sterling said he's been focused on increasing his speed over the summer, "My speed has been lacking and then I've been working on my stickhandling and shot a bit more," he said.

One thing that has helped Sterling standout over his two training camps with the Warriors has been his nose for the net, the 16-year-old has shown an ability to put the puck in the net.

Sterling said he can't leave anything in the tank, "If you don't go full out, someone else is and someone else will take your spot," he said.

With the chance to play some junior hockey last year in the AJHL, Sterling feels that his game has grown to the point that he’s ready for the jump to the Warriors this season.

"The AJHL gives me a good look at what to look forward to," he said. "Last year's preseason was really fun, it was a big learning step and I knew what I needed to improve on going into this year."

Sterling, Gardiner and the rest of the roster hopefuls will be looking for strong performances on Friday and Saturday as the Warriors open the preseason. Moose Jaw faces Saskatoon on Friday at 3 p.m. and then squares off with Regina at 7 p.m.