Moose Jaw Warriors leading scorer last year, Ryder Korczak, is in the top five A prospects listed by NHL Central Scouting.

He was one of five WHL players given an A rating, which indicates he has first-round potential.

Korczak scored 67 points last season, which ended over seven months ago now.

While his season ended in the second week of March, the NHL entry draft occurred only a few weeks ago.

“It’s crazy how fast we move on from the 2020 draft to the 2021 prospects,” he said. “I’m obviously excited. There’s still a lot of months coming ahead, but I think this season’s going to be a big season for me and the team and I feel like we can produce.”

While the A rating means that he is a candidate for the first round, Korczak knows not to rest on that laurel as he trains in Calgary and prepares himself for the upcoming season.

“I feel like I can bring more to the table and I feel like our team can as well,” said Korczak. “One of the things I wanted to work was my defensive game and getting stronger and harder to play against and I think I’m doing a good job of that in the off-season. So, yeah I’m excited to get started here.”

Korczak's Warriors teammates Eric Alarie and Cole Jordan were listed lower, as was Warriors 2020 import draft selection Martin Rysavy from the Czech Republic.

For his part, while he watches some of his teammates like Daemon Hunt playing a bit of junior A hockey before the WHL season is scheduled to start in January 2021, he’ll be training in Calgary.

“I’m working out and training there and I think the ice sessions there with a few pros and a couple of WHL guys, and I feel like that’s some high-paced practice as well,” he said. “I feel like I’d be better off practicing these guys than playing junior A.”

Korczak played well all season but he looked sharp playing with Czech import Martin Lang when Lang came over in a deal from the Kamloops Blazers. Korczak is looking forward to a full season with Lang, who has scored seven points in two games with his hometown HC Plzen of the Czech U20 league.

“You can say that we didn’t have the best season, but we made a few trades and everyone’s a year older as well,” Korczak said. “We got (Martin) Rysavy and we got (Brad) Ginnell and I feel like those two guys are key pieces for us too. And Martin Lang, he’s a returning guy. And I think me and him developed chemistry as well and I think it’ll be a fun year to watch.”