With overage forward Brayden Schuurman recovering from a serious lower body injury and listed as month-to-month in his recovery time, the Moose Jaw Warriors made a roster move to fill his overage spot on Thursday.
The Warriors announced that overage defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk will join the club from the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL.
Dowhaniuk started the season on the roster of the Prince George Cougars but was released in September.
“He was interested in returning to the Western Hockey League and we wanted to add a veteran defenceman with WHL experience to help the team moving forward,” Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger said.
Dowhaniuk, the younger brother of former Warriors defenceman Logan Dowhaniuk, played four seasons with the Cougars, posting eight goals and 77 points in 228 career Western Hockey League games.
After being released by the Cougars earlier this season, Dowhaniuk joined the BCHL’s Vipers where he put up one goal and five points in 11 games.
“He’ll bring character, he’ll bring grit and obviously plenty of WHL experience to our lineup,” added Ripplinger.
With the addition of Dowhaniuk, the Warriors now have four overage players on the team’s roster, including forwards Rilen Kovacevic and defenceman Kalem Parker. Due to Schuurman’s injury, the Warriors will continue to carry four overage players moving forward.
Dowhaniuk is expected to make his Warriors debut coming up on Thursday night against the Saskatoon Blades.
