This year's lineup won't be short on skill for the Moose Jaw Warriors with the likes of Justin Almeida, Ryan Peckford and Brayden Tracey. Size doesn't look like it will be an issue either with a couple of prospects hoping to crack the team's regular season roster.

Six-foot-five forward Kale Clouston and six-foot-three defenceman Austin Herron are both in their third training camps with the Warriors after being selected by the team in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft -- Herron in the third round and Clouston in the fifth round.

Clouston could fill a much-needed void up front for the Warriors, who will be missing some physicality in their forward group after the graduation of Tanner Jeannot and release of Barrett Sheen.

"I feel great, the past couple of years I've been really nervous (coming into training camp) and the confidence that I have right now is huge," said Clouston.

"I'm just going to have to give 100-percent effort, whether it's practice, game, workout, even just showing up early to do some extra stretching or workouts, that's the top thing, make sure there's no days off out here, you want to be the one who's going all out seven-out-of-seven days."

The Rockyview, AB product had eight goals, 15 points and 18 penalty minutes in 32 games with the Okotoks Oilers in the Alberta Midget Hockey League last season. He knows that he will need to show a physical side to crack the Warriors’ roster.

"I was blessed with this gift of being a taller guy, playing physical hockey it's always a positive if you can take those hits and deliver them when needed," said Clouston, who added that he's put on about 20 pounds to help prepare him for the season.

"I did a lot of strength and conditioning and with the extra muscle, I've been skating better and I've been able to use my body a lot better."

Herron is looking to find his way into a loaded Warriors defensive group that includes returnees Josh Brook, Jett Woo, Brandon Schuldhaus and Matthew Benson, as well as Daemon Hunt, Matthew Sanders and Brenden Kwiatkowski, who all saw time with the team last season.

Herron said he's feeling good about how he's performed so far, "I feel more confident than other years and I'm having a lot of fun right now and just trying to work my hardest to earn a spot on the team," he said.

"I worked out all summer and was able to get bigger, stronger and faster, and I've been trying to improve my skills each and every day, which has helped me out."

Herron had one goal, six points and 62 penalty minutes in 38 games for the Okanagan Rockets in the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League last season.

The Warriors aren't lacking in size on the back end, but bringing a physical, hard nosed edge could be just what helps Herron rise above the competition for a spot on the team.

He said he's ready to play whatever role is needed to crack the squad, "I've been able to build up my strength, which will help me coming into the league," said Herron. "Being able to move the puck (quickly) is my biggest area to work on right now."

Herron and Clouston will have two more opportunities to impress as the Warriors finish the preseason this weekend with a home-and-home against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The Warriors reassigned four 16-year-olds on Monday: goalie Jackson Berry, defenceman Braden Miller and forwards Levi Thiessen and Cade Hayes, which brings their roster down to 28 players.

Forward Tate Popple attempts a wraparound during Friday night's 5-2 win for the Warriors over the Tigers. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Still Work to Do for Warriors

The Warriors came away with a split of their home-and-home with the Medicine Hat Tigers over the weekend, winning 5-2 on Friday night at Mosaic Place and then losing 3-0 on Saturday in Irvine, AB.

Friday night saw the Warriors capitalize with four power-play goals, but the team struggled to get much going in Saturday's loss. 

Forward Tate Popple said Saturday's effort wasn't what they were looking for, "It looked like a preseason game from the bench," he said. "We've got to come out better than that, make better plays, better passes, all around we were little sloppy through and through."

The Warriors will close out the preseason coming up this weekend when they play the Brandon Wheat Kings in a home-and-home.

Popple said they need to focus on bringing a more complete effort this week in practice.

"Friday night, we had a good game and (Saturday), we kind of took a step back," said Popple. "We need to get back to working hard and making smarter plays, and come back with a fresh mindset."

The Warriors head to Brandon on Friday and then host the Wheat Kings on Sunday afternoon, 4 p.m, at Mosaic Place.