Hawks lock up building blocks

On Tuesday the team announced the 2006-born forward and recent Nipawin first-round draft choice Konnor Watson of Spiritwood has signed a Letter of Intent for the 2023-24 season. Watson currently leads the Prince Albert Mintos in scoring with four goals and six assists in eight games played. Kozun said signing the 6’2” power forward was important to the Hawks’ staff.

“He came to camp and showed he could play with our team now too,” Kozun said. “Getting that year in P.A. is going to do him wonders. He’s a first-round pick of ours so to be able to lock him up for next year. Things can always change with the Western Hockey League, but we’re really excited to have him on board. We think he’s going to be a great Nipawin Hawk.”

Wednesday the team announced that current Under-18 AAA Warman Wildcat Deegan Wapass of Debden has also committed to the club next season. Another 6’2” forward Wapass has a goal and two assists with the Wildcats in six games this season. Warman has a strong under-18 program and will host the 2023 Western Regional Championship next April. Kozun said Wapass will play meaningful games late in the year that will translate to the junior level.

“We know he’s going to get to play hockey late in the year and play in some big games,” he said.

“Watching all these guys develop is going to be fun all year and we’re looking forward to having all these kids in Hawks jerseys next year,” Kozun added.

On the ice, Nipawin returns to action Thursday against the visiting Notre Dame Hounds. The Hawks are coming off an uninspired 11-4 beatdown courtesy of the Humboldt Broncos at home last Saturday. Kozun said the team has had a chance to regroup and try and build on their record of five wins, six regulation losses, and a loss in both overtime and a shootout.

“We’re really happy with the week of practice we’ve got, we’ve talked about it before that our start was really busy and we didn’t have a lot of practice time. To be able to get three days under our belts at practice we could get back to basics and focus on what makes the Nipawin Hawks successful,” Kozun said.

Nipawin has an overtime loss against Notre Dame at home this year, the Hawks won in Wilcox earlier this month. With a trip to Humboldt scheduled for Saturday the team’s lone home game, this week is an important one.

“We’ve gotten back to work and we’re really happy with the last couple of days. We’re looking forward to getting back on the ice and getting after it,” he concluded.

Face-off is at 7 p.m. at the Centennial Arena.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork

by Clark Stork

Hawks lock up building blocks

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