The Western Hockey League champion Moose Jaw Warriors are the Golden West Radio – DiscoverMooseJaw Team of the Year for 2024.
There have been times in the past when we’ve had to take time to look back at the accomplishments of local teams and make tough decisions on which team was the best.
This year, there was no question. We didn’t even have to have a meeting.
Our local Western Hockey League team won 44 of their 68 regular season games.
The Warriors went into the playoffs as the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
They swept the Brandon Wheat Kings in 4 straight in the first round of the playoffs and needed but 5 games to get past Swift Current in the 2nd round.
The big test was next as they took on the #1 seed Saskatoon Blades. What a series it was. 6 of the 7 games went to OVERTIME, including game 7 in Saskatoon – a game the Warriors won 3-2, earning the right to play in the WHL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL for just the 2nd time in franchise history.
The Warriors stole games one and two against the Winterhawks in Portland and came home knowing they had three games on home ice to win it. They only needed two to complete the sweep and earn a trip to the Memorial Cup.
May 15th, 2024 was a magical night at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
There was a vibe in the rink like many had never felt before. A confident vibe with a sold-out crowd anticipating a celebration.
Dozens of Warriors alumni were there to see it. They came from across the country to share together.
I was in attendance that night and, as I walked around the rink during the 2nd intermission, I saw a number of people, including long-time season ticket holders and many current and former members of the Warriors Booster Club in the rink – people, supporters, who had been bleeding red and black for 40 years - People who were there on opening night when the Warriors played their first game in Moose Jaw in 1984.
The Warriors won that game 4-2 and the celebration was on. There were smiles, laughter, high-fives, hugs and tears of joy.
For the first time in the 40-year history of our Western Hockey League’s Moose Jaw Warriors, WE were the champions.
The team captured our imaginations, our support and gave us what so many had been waiting for, for so, so long.
We presented the Team of the Year Award at the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner on Saturday night.