Draft week kicked off with the 2022 WHL U.S. Priority Draft on Wednesday morning.

The Moose Jaw Warriors made two selections, taking a defenceman and a goaltender.

With their first pick, fifth overall, the Warriors went to the Dallas Stars Elite 14U AAA team and selected five-foot-four defenceman Carter Murphy.

“We would like to welcome Carter to the organization,” Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger said.

No statistics are available for Murphy’s 2021-22 season, however, during the 2020-21 season with the Stars Elite 13U AAA team, he posted two goals and nine points in 17 games.

“Carter plays a fast game, he makes a good first pass and isn’t afraid to join the rush or jump up into the play,” Ripplinger said.

“Carter’s hockey sense can make him a two-way player. He can deliver some offence and isn’t afraid to play physical against bigger players.”

In the second round, 40th overall, the Warriors selected five-foot-11 goalie Kyle Jones from the Los Angeles Jr. Kings 14U AAA team.

“It’s exciting to add Kyle to our organization,” Ripplinger said.

Jones appeared in 33 games last season, posting a 2.90 goals against average.

“Kyle is an athletic goalie who has a lot of upside,” Ripplinger said. “Kyle is very competitive and does a great job trying to find pucks through traffic.”

In 2019-20, he represented the Jr. Kings at the Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament, posting a 1-1-0 record in two games.

For a full recap of the 2022 U.S. Priority Draft, click here.

The Warriors will now select 14th overall in the first round of Thursday’s 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.