(Courtesy Marc Smith, discovermoosejaw.com)  The Moose Jaw Warriors got a big piece of last year’s team back on the weekend with the return of Tanner Eberle to the line-up. The Regina native had offseason shoulder and missed the team’s first seven games.  He says it felt good after playing two games in two nights, “No pain or anything and felt a lot stronger than last year, so that’s always a good sign.”

Eberle provided an instant spark for the tribe, picking up three assists in the Warriors 9-0 triumph over the Prince Albert Raiders.   He says getting to watched the opening games really helped him transition into the line-up seamlessly, “I saw what our team needs to do and I was able to reflect on that, hopefully now I can start contributing more points wise as well as hitting.”

The second year WHL forward looked to have an extra gear during his two-game debut, while also picking up right where he left off last season in the physical game.  “My skating has improved a lot from last year and I feel like an extra year has given me more confidence to move the puck and what not.  “My legs have got a lot stronger over the year, so the speed’s nice out there.”

After playing with veterans Carter Hansen and Jordan Wyton on a checking line over the weekend, Eberle was practicing on a line with WHL-leading goal scorer Sam Fioretti and rookie forward Brayden Point on Monday at Mosaic Place.

He says he’d be hoping to add another dimension to the top line, “Playing with a couple of pretty skilled guys compared to myself, but I can’t start thinking I’m a goal scorer now, I’ve still got to grind and help those guys get points.”

Eberle has taken on a leadership role with the young Warriors team and brings grittiness to the line-up that has been lacking at times so far this year.  “I’m only 18, but it’s still pretty cool to be a leader,” stated Eberle. “We’ve got a young team and it’s really a privilege to be a leader for these young guys.”

The Warriors host NHL 2nd overall pick Ryan Murray and the Everett Silvertips on Tuesday night for their second straight game against a US Division opponent.  Coming off a 5-0 loss to the Tri-City Americans on Sunday night, Eberle says the team has something to prove.  “You always have something to prove after a loss, especially losing 5-0 after winning 9-0,” said Eberle. “We’re just young and we’re trying to figure it out.”

The Warriors and Silvertips hit the ice at 7:00pm on Tuesday night. If you can’t make it out to the game, tune in live on Country 100, starting with the Pre-Game Show at 6:40pm.  For tickets call the Mosaic Place box office, 624-2050, or go online to www.mjwarriors.ca.