MOOSE JAW -- Moose Jaw Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger has been busy over the last few months restocking the Western Hockey League team’s Prospects Draft list, and that continued with a second deal Thursday prior to the WHL trade deadline.
The Warriors swung a three-way deal with the Swift Current Broncos and Red Deer Rebels, with the defending WHL champions adding overage defenceman Eric Johnston from the Broncos as well as a sixth-round draft pick in 2026 and fourth round pick in 2027 from the Rebels in exchange for overage defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk.
“With Eric, we are getting a great puck-moving defenceman who brings stability and leadership to our organization,” said Ripplinger.
Dowhaniuk joins Red Deer, who also added forward Ty Coupland and a fourth round pick from Swift Current. The Broncos receive overage defenceman Hunter Mayo and 2006-born forward Trae Wilke from the Rebels
Johnston, a 6-foot-0, 190-pound defenceman, has four goals and 13 points in 37 games this season. The former captain of the Prince Albert Raiders put up five goals and 22 points last season before being traded to Swift Current this past July.
Dowhaniuk was released by the Prince George Cougars at the start of the season before signing on with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL. The Warriors picked up Dowhaniuk on Nov. 15, and the Star City product had a goal and four points with Moose Jaw in 18 games.
He is committed to the NCAA’s University of Alaska-Fairbanks for the 2025-26 season.
“I would like to thank Keaton for his leadership on and off the ice, and I want to wish him all the best with his future endeavours,” said Ripplinger.
As reported earlier, the Warriors now have picks in every round of the 2025 Prospects Draft except the eighth, including two picks in the third round, four in the fourth and two more in the seventh, with a total of 16 overall.
Moose Jaw is still missing first and second round picks in 2026 and a first round pick in 2027 but have two first-round selections in 2028 and six picks in the first three rounds.
All told, the Warriors have traded nine players this season and recouped 19 draft picks since November.
The WHL trade deadline is set for 7 p.m. Moose Jaw time on Thursday.
