Moose Jaw Warriors facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moose Jaw Warriors |
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| City | Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | East |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Home arena | Moose Jaw Events Centre |
| Colours | Red, white, black |
| General manager | Jason Ripplinger |
| Head coach | Mark O'Leary |
| Championships | Ed Chynoweth Cup 1 (2024) Conference Championships 2 (2005–06, 2023–24) |
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Website chl.ca/whl-warriors/ |
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| Franchise history | |
| 1980–1984 | Winnipeg Warriors |
| 1984–present | Moose Jaw Warriors |
The Moose Jaw Warriors are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Warriors play in the East Division of the Western Hockey League's Eastern Conference, hosting games at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. The team was founded in 1980 as the Winnipeg Warriors, and relocated to Moose Jaw in 1984. The Warriors won their first league championship in 2024.
Contents
History
The Moose Jaw Canucks were a founding franchise of the then-Western Canada Hockey League in 1966, and were the new league's first champion. However, after just two seasons and with the WCHL barred by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) from competing for the Memorial Cup, the Canucks opted to return to the revived Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in 1968. When the WCHL became recognized by CAHA in 1970, Moose Jaw was left without top-level junior hockey.
The Warriors franchise was established as the Winnipeg Warriors prior to the start of the 1980–81 WHL season, and played out of Winnipeg Arena, which they shared with the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets. In 1984, the franchise relocated to Moose Jaw, bringing major junior hockey back to the city for the first time since 1970.
The Warriors played in the Moose Jaw Civic Centre, also known as "The Crushed Can", for 26 seasons, before moving to Mosaic Place, now the Moose Jaw Events Centre, in the city centre in 2011.
The team's first few seasons in Moose Jaw saw Theoren Fleury emerge as the team's primary star—Fleury finished among the top five scorers in the WHL during his tenure with the team. Led by Fleury, Kelly Buchberger, Mike Keane, and Lyle Odelein, the Warriors made the franchise's first playoff appearance after the relocation during the 1985–86 season. The team captured its first regular season division title in 2003–04. In 2005–06, led by Troy Brouwer and Dustin Boyd, the Warriors followed their best regular season with their first ever trip to the championship series, in which they were swept by the Vancouver Giants. In 2017–18, the Warriors captured their first Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions with their first 50-win and 100-point season, before bowing out in the second round of the playoffs to the eventual champion Swift Current Broncos.
In the 2023–24 season—the Warriors' 40th in Moose Jaw—the Warriors won their first Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions. Led by Jagger Firkus, Denton Mateychuk, and Brayden Yager, the Warriors advanced to their second league final by defeating the regular-season champion Saskatoon Blades in a seven game series that featured a WHL-record six overtime games, including the seventh and deciding game. In the final, they won four straight games versus the Portland Winterhawks to secure the championship and a berth in the 2024 Memorial Cup tournament. At their first Memorial Cup, the Warriors advanced to the semi-final, where they were eliminated by the host and eventual champion Saginaw Spirit.
Logo and uniforms
The Warriors' original branding, based on the founding franchise in Winnipeg, featured Indigenous imagery, including a long-used logo featuring a silhouetted side-profile of a head wearing an Indigenous headdress. In 2020, in light of the Native American mascot controversy, the Warriors announced that they were reviewing their branding. In 2022, the team unveiled a new brand and logo based on the city's aviation history and connection with the Royal Canadian Air Force and Snowbirds—the logo features a CT-114 Tutor jet emblazoned with the Snowbirds logo. The team retained its original colour scheme featuring red, black, and white.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties OTL = Overtime losses Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1984–85 | 72 | 21 | 50 | 1 | – | 320 | 438 | 43 | 7th East | Did not qualify |
| 1985–86 | 72 | 25 | 44 | 3 | – | 294 | 375 | 53 | 6th East | Lost East Division semifinal |
| 1986–87 | 72 | 38 | 31 | 3 | – | 366 | 321 | 79 | 4th East | Lost East Division semifinal |
| 1987–88 | 72 | 18 | 52 | 2 | – | 308 | 458 | 38 | 8th East | Did not qualify |
| 1988–89 | 72 | 27 | 42 | 3 | – | 318 | 372 | 57 | 6th East | Lost East Division semifinal |
| 1989–90 | 72 | 28 | 41 | 3 | – | 287 | 330 | 59 | 8th East | Did not qualify |
| 1990–91 | 72 | 31 | 39 | 2 | – | 336 | 369 | 64 | 6th East | Lost East Division semifinal |
| 1991–92 | 72 | 33 | 36 | 3 | – | 279 | 316 | 69 | 6th East | Lost East Division quarterfinal |
| 1992–93 | 72 | 27 | 42 | 3 | – | 277 | 346 | 57 | 8th East | Did not qualify |
| 1993–94 | 72 | 21 | 48 | 3 | – | 269 | 361 | 45 | 9th East | Did not qualify |
| 1994–95 | 72 | 39 | 32 | 1 | – | 315 | 275 | 79 | 4th East | Lost East Division semifinal |
| 1995–96 | 72 | 18 | 49 | 5 | – | 223 | 331 | 41 | 6th East | Did not qualify |
| 1996–97 | 72 | 36 | 29 | 7 | – | 278 | 240 | 79 | 4th East | Lost East Division semifinal |
| 1997–98 | 72 | 23 | 39 | 10 | – | 235 | 281 | 56 | 5th East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| 1998–99 | 72 | 39 | 31 | 2 | – | 292 | 262 | 80 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference semifinal |
| 1999–00 | 72 | 25 | 34 | 9 | 4 | 221 | 259 | 63 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| 2000–01 | 72 | 34 | 29 | 4 | 5 | 287 | 291 | 77 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| 2001–02 | 72 | 30 | 34 | 6 | 2 | 226 | 239 | 68 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference semifinal |
| 2002–03 | 72 | 36 | 22 | 11 | 3 | 266 | 208 | 86 | 2nd East | Lost Eastern Conference semifinal |
| 2003–04 | 72 | 41 | 22 | 8 | 1 | 209 | 172 | 91 | 1st East | Lost Eastern Conference semifinal |
| 2004–05 | 72 | 14 | 47 | 10 | 1 | 182 | 282 | 39 | 4th East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2005–06 | 72 | 44 | 20 | 5 | 3 | 278 | 205 | 96 | 1st East | Lost final |
| 2006–07 | 72 | 28 | 41 | 3 | 0 | 217 | 271 | 59 | 5th East | Did not qualify |
| 2007–08 | 72 | 37 | 21 | 6 | 8 | 229 | 214 | 88 | 4th East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| 2008–09 | 72 | 19 | 50 | 1 | 2 | 198 | 352 | 41 | 6th East | Did not qualify |
| 2009–10 | 72 | 33 | 27 | 5 | 8 | 243 | 247 | 78 | 4th East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| 2010–11 | 72 | 40 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 245 | 240 | 86 | 2nd East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| 2011–12 | 72 | 45 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 258 | 213 | 98 | 1st East | Lost Eastern Conference final |
| 2012–13 | 72 | 25 | 36 | 4 | 7 | 182 | 249 | 61 | 4th East | Did not qualify |
| 2013–14 | 72 | 21 | 42 | 3 | 6 | 202 | 283 | 51 | 5th East | Did not qualify |
| 2014–15 | 72 | 32 | 35 | 4 | 1 | 221 | 266 | 69 | 4th East | Did not qualify |
| 2015–16 | 72 | 36 | 27 | 7 | 2 | 249 | 231 | 81 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference semifinal |
| 2016–17 | 72 | 42 | 21 | 8 | 1 | 255 | 219 | 93 | 2nd East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| 2017–18 | 72 | 52 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 326 | 216 | 109 | 1st East | Lost Eastern Conference semifinal |
| 2018–19 | 68 | 40 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 234 | 192 | 88 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference quarterfinal |
| 2019–20 | 62 | 14 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 146 | 291 | 32 | 6th East | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020–21 | 24 | 8 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 71 | 95 | 19 | 6th East | No playoffs were held due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021–22 | 68 | 37 | 24 | 4 | 3 | 251 | 221 | 81 | 2nd East | Lost Eastern Conference semifinal |
| 2022–23 | 68 | 41 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 252 | 237 | 85 | 3rd East | Lost Eastern Conference semifinal |
| 2023–24 | 68 | 44 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 297 | 228 | 91 | 2nd East | Won Championship |
Championship history
- Ed Chynoweth Cup (1): 2023–24
- Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (1): 2017–18
- Regular Season Division titles (4): 2003–04, 2005–06, 2011–12, 2017–18
- Conference Championships (2): 2005–06, 2023–24
WHL Championship
- 2005–06: Loss, 0–4 vs Vancouver Giants
- 2023–24: Win, 4–0 vs Portland Winterhawks
Players
NHL alumni
The following Moose Jaw Warriors alumni have played in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Chris Armstrong
- Blair Atcheynum
- Scott Bailey
- Lonny Bohonos
- Johnny Boychuk
- Dustin Boyd
- Mike Brodeur
- Kyle Brodziak
- Troy Brouwer
- Curtis Brown
- Kelly Buchberger
- Frederic Chabot
- Joel Edmundson
- Deryk Engelland
- Tomas Fleischmann
- Theoren Fleury
- Owen Fussey
- Noah Gregor
- Travis Hamonic
- Matt Higgins
- Quinton Howden
- Daemon Hunt
- Tanner Jeannot
- Blair Jones
- Mike Keane
- Sheldon Kennedy
- Paul Kruse
- Pavel Kubina
- Dale Kushner
- Brooks Laich
- Darryl Laplante
- Reed Low
- Jamie Lundmark
- Masi Marjamaki
- Jim McKenzie
- Tomas Mojzis
- Lyle Odelein
- Nathan Paetsch
- Brayden Point
- Dale Purinton
- Morgan Rielly
- Aaron Rome
- Jiri Smejkal
- Kevin Smyth
- Ryan Smyth
- Martin Spanhel
- Rastislav Stana
- Ryan Stanton
- Brian Sutherby
- Dave Thomlinson
- Ryan Tobler
- Roman Vopat
- Jason Widmer
NLL alumni
Warriors alumnus Kaleb Toth played thirteen seasons in the National Lacrosse League for the Calgary Roughnecks and Toronto Rock; he was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2022.
Team records
| Statistic | Total | Season |
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| Most points | 109 | 2017–18 |
| Most wins | 52 | 2017–18 |
| Most goals for | 366 | 1986–87 |
| Fewest points for | 32 | 2019–20 |
| Fewest wins for | 14 | 2004–05/2019–20 |
| Fewest goals for | 146 | 2019–20 |
| Fewest goals against | 172 | 2003–04 |
| Most goals against | 458 | 1987–88 |
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals | Blair Atcheynum | 70 | 1988–89 |
| Most assists | Theoren Fleury | 92 | 1987–88 |
| Most points | Theoren Fleury | 160 | 1987–88 |
| Most points, rookie | Mark MacKay | 140 | 1984–85 |
| Most points, defenceman | Scott Schoneck | 76 | 1998–99 |
| Best GAA (goalie) | Mike Brodeur | 2.11 | 2003–04 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played | |||
Awards
Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL top scorer)
- Theoren Fleury: 1987–88 (tied with Joe Sakic, Swift Current Broncos)
- Troy Brouwer: 2005–06
- Jayden Halbgewachs: 2017–18
- Jagger Firkus: 2023–24
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL player of the year)
- Dryden Hunt: 2015–16
- Jagger Firkus: 2023–24
WHL Playoff MVP
- Denton Mateychuk: 2023–24
Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL top defenceman)
- Kale Clague: 2017–18
- Denton Mateychuk: 2023–24
Del Wilson Trophy (WHL top goaltender)
- Ken Brown: 1966–67
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL rookie of the year)
- Mark MacKay: 1984–85
- Donovan Nunweiler: 1996–97
- Brayden Tracey: 2018–19
- Brayden Yager: 2021–22
Doc Seaman Trophy (WHL scholastic player of the year)
- Brennen Wray: 2005–06
Brad Hornung Trophy (WHL most sportsmanlike)
- Blair Atcheynum: 1988–89
- Jason Bast: 2009–10
- Justin Almeida: 2018–19
- Brayden Yager: 2022–23
- Brayden Yager: 2023–24
See also
- List of ice hockey teams in Saskatchewan
- CILG (broadcasts Moose Jaw Warriors games)
- Ice hockey in Saskatchewan
