In January 2024, I travelled to Prince Albert to absorb a sport between the Prince Albert Raiders and the Saskatoon Blades. The hockey was incredible and the sport resulted in a shootout victory for the hometown workforce, however what I loved probably the most was the environment. Prince Albert’s area, the Artwork Hauser Centre, was a throwback to the outdated days of junior hockey; it was a barn with few fashionable upgrades however held all of the allure of a neighborhood rink. It was lovingly cared for by the group that got here out in droves to help the workforce, overwhelming the handful of visiting Blades followers with inexperienced and gold. When the Raiders scored, the roar of the group was in contrast to something I’d ever skilled.
Eight months later in September 2024, I travelled south to look at the Moose Jaw Warriors tackle the Regina Pats. In contrast to with the Raiders, I used to be accustomed to the Warriors earlier than the sport. From 2009-13, I attended a school simply exterior Moose Jaw and noticed a number of video games over these 4 years. Again then, the Warriors performed in a barn that, regardless of its many quirks, was onerous to not love, very similar to the Artwork Hauser Centre.
So much has modified within the decade since. Moose Jaw’s outdated area is lifeless and gone, changed by a large new occasions centre, and the outdated brand was changed with a pointy new design. There’s not quite a bit left of the workforce I remembered from 2010. But, for many who caught with the workforce and lived via its ups and downs, the Warriors by no means modified. To assist me perceive the workforce and its place within the metropolis a bit higher, I reached out to Leroy, a Moose Jaw native and co-creator of the favored social media account, Leroy & Leroy, who instructed me that the Warriors are nonetheless that small-town, community-owned group with all the heat and allure I remembered, simply with a brand new coat of paint.
Warriors Historical past
Rebrands are by no means simple. A workforce’s brand is its story, and when the Warriors, who had used the identify since 1984-85 and worn an Indigenous chief in a headdress as their main brand since 1987-88, underwent a proper overview of their picture in 2020, it was a giant deal. Fred Sasakamoose, the primary Indigenous hockey participant to play within the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, didn’t see any subject with the Warriors’ jersey. “I used to be in Moose Jaw about 5, six years in the past,” he mentioned when the workforce started the method, “they usually honoured me with that sweater. That’s one of many proudest issues (I personal)…I’m proud to put on that brand. I’m pleased with what I’m, who I’m” (from “Fred Sasakamoose likes the Moose Jaw Warriors’ brand simply the way in which it’s,” Regina Chief-Put up – 10/03/2020).
Sasakamoose’s phrases held weight in Moose Jaw. Though he by no means performed for the Warriors, he was a part of Moose Jaw’s hockey story and began his profession with the Moose Jaw Canucks within the early Fifties. It’s a narrative that not solely stretched again 36 years to the Warriors’ arrival, however a long time earlier, weaving generations of individuals collectively as each followers and gamers. If a rebrand was going to achieve success, it wanted to be extremely cautious to not write a brand new chapter that individuals felt was disingenuous.
#WaybackWednesday Comfortable birthday to the late Fred Sasakamoose who would have been 91 years outdated at present. Right here’s Fred as a member of the Moose Jaw Canucks within the WJHL (1953) pic.twitter.com/XvoBNo7aSI
— Classic Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) December 25, 2024
The story started over 100 years in the past with an unnamed junior workforce. In 1901 on a highway journey to play in Regina, the Moose Jaw Junior Hockey workforce was led out by “Wild Jack,” a Sioux man who wore a “fancy costume” and led cheers supporting the workforce. He was little question a fixture within the small prairie metropolis. He, or his picture, doubtless led to the creation of the Moose Jaw Warriors, a founding member of the Prairie Hockey League (PHL), knowledgeable circuit established to interchange the recently-defunct Western Hockey League in 1926. The unique Warriors solely lasted one season, whereas the PHL solely lasted for 2 earlier than it folded as a consequence of low attendance.
Following the unique Warriors’ collapse, Moose Jaw noticed many groups go via their metropolis limits, however none discovered a lot traction within the numerous leagues. That’s, not till the Canucks got here to city and introduced Moose Jaw into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) in 1933. The junior membership made the SJHL Ultimate 11 occasions from 1934-48, successful it 5 occasions and showing within the Memorial Cup twice. Their success led to an affiliation with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1945, which prompted the workforce to half methods with utilizing a moose as their main brand and begin to undertake the look of their new guardian membership. That yr additionally they made their first of two Memorial Cup appearances, with the second coming two years later, each of which they misplaced.
In 1966, the Canucks joined 4 different Saskatchewan-based groups and two Alberta groups to create the brand new Canadian Main Junior Hockey League (CMJHL) with Moose Jaw taking residence the inaugural title over the Pats. Nonetheless, by 1968-69, that they had returned to the SJHL. The Canadian Newbie Hockey Affiliation had rejected the CMJHL’s try and create a Main Junior league within the West and thus banned all member groups from competing for the Memorial Cup. The league was hopeful they’d change their thoughts, however after two years, a number of groups acquired uninterested in ready.
Upon their return to the SJHL, the Canucks struggled to recapture their earlier success, failing to win any championships regardless of having Chris Chelios on their workforce from 1979-81. By the early Nineteen Eighties, it began to appear to be junior hockey’s time in Moose Jaw was coming to an finish. Issues got here to a head in 1983 when proprietor John Waronek, lower than a yr after buying the franchise, put it up on the market once more intending to search out extra group assist. Fan help had been dwindling in current seasons, and whereas the on-ice product was nonetheless aggressive, the workforce was dropping cash. “There must be some group involvement in junior hockey,” he mentioned in April of that yr. “It’s actually robust operating junior hockey as a person. There may be much more work concerned than individuals assume” (from “Canucks up on the market second time round,” Moose Jaw Occasions-Herald – 12/04/1983).
Nonetheless, when a bid was lastly acquired from a group group, Waronek resisted and backtracked the sale, which led to a prolonged, 18-day course of that noticed the gamers lastly refuse to play till the possession squabble concluded. However one constructive factor got here out of the ugly negotiations. “The group has stood behind us via this factor,” mentioned new Membership President Dennis McIvor, “and I don’t assume they’ve modified. We want their help to place the puck again within the web” (from “Hockey ordeal ends after 18 attempting days,” Moose Jaw Occasions-Herald – 4/11/1983).
With the outdated proprietor ousted, the brand new community-led group set their sights on bringing the best degree of junior hockey to Moose Jaw. That led to a profitable bid to affix the WHL, buying the struggling Winnipeg Warriors for the 1984-85 season. The one downside was that, with only one small area, there was no room for the Canucks. Regardless of their finest efforts, the group couldn’t help each, so the Canucks folded to make approach for the incoming Main Junior workforce. There additionally gave the impression to be some painful reminiscences across the Canucks, so slightly than give the outdated identify to the brand new franchise, Moose Jaw caught with the Warriors. In any case, the Warriors had loads of historical past in Moose Jaw. The one change they made was to take away the indigenous ‘warrior’ driving on a skate from its brand, changing it with the acquainted crimson silhouette in 1987-88.
The Warriors had been instantly welcomed in Moose Jaw, they usually had been pleased to have a prime junior workforce of their metropolis once more, but it surely took some time for the workforce to search out its footing. Regardless of boasting abilities like Theoren Fleury, Mike Keane, and Lyle Odelein, it wasn’t till the mid-Nineteen Nineties that the Warriors turned common playoff contenders. It might take almost a decade after that earlier than they received their first Division title in 2003-04 and didn’t seem in a WHL Ultimate till 2005-06. They had been not often the worst workforce however struggled to search out the success many youthful groups skilled.
But, all through these years of ups and downs, the workforce turned greater than only a hockey workforce in Moose Jaw. To have the workforce within the metropolis was a mark of pleasure, and the crimson headdress on their chests unified those that supported it. Nevertheless it wasn’t good, and the workforce confronted criticism once they introduced again the outdated Winnipeg brand for its thirtieth anniversary in 2014. That opened the door for a dialog on whether or not using Indigenous imagery ought to proceed to be a part of Moose Jaw’s story. Possession made no guarantees when the overview began, saying they had been merely wanting into whether or not it was time for a change.
“We really feel it’s the proper time and the correct factor to do, to undergo a proper course of and formal overview of our main brand. We really feel it’s vital, with the good help we now have in Moose Jaw from our followers and company sponsors, that we interact with leaders in our group and we interact with our stakeholders and our companions to take a look at the brand and see at the moment if we transfer ahead with our present brand or if it’s time for a change.”
Being that the workforce was community-owned, administration started an exhaustive course of, gathering as a lot enter as doable to make sure the method was achieved proper. So, when the workforce introduced that that they had concluded it was time for a change after which unveiled its new brand that includes a CT-114 Tutor jet utilized by the well-known Snowbirds for the 2022-23 season, there have been few dissenting voices. “So far as the brand new brand goes, I find it irresistible,” mentioned Leroy. “The Snowbirds have been a giant a part of Moose Jaw for a very long time. Every season the workforce does a Snowbirds night time and it’s a pure match.”
However, after all, nothing makes a narrative higher than successful, and in 2023-24, the Warriors, with their brand-new brand received their first WHL Championship, defeating the first-place Saskatoon Blades within the semifinal and sweeping the Portland Winterhawks for his or her first Memorial Cup look. It’s honest to say that the jet has now turn into synonymous with success and received’t be going anyplace anytime quickly.
Different Franchise Leaders:
- Most Factors (Complete): Theoren Fleury (1984-88) – 472
- Most Factors (Season): Theoren Fleury (1987-88) – 160
- Most Objectives (Season): Blair Atcheynum (1988-89) and Jayden Halbgewachs (2017-18) – 70
- Most Video games Performed: Jason Bast (2005-10) – 337
- Most Wins (Complete): Joey Perricone (2003-08) – 93
- Most Wins (Season): Brody Willms (2017-18) – 37
- Retired Numbers: 4– #9 Theoren Fleury; #24 Kelly Buchberger; #25 Mike Keane; #28 Ryan Smyth
- Highest Drafted Gamers: Morgan Rielly, fifth (Toronto, 2012); Ryan Smyth, sixth (Edmonton, 1994); Jamie Lundmark, ninth (Rangers, 1999)
Moose Jaw Occasions Centre
All through the WHL’s historical past, there have been few extra iconic arenas than Moose Jaw’s outdated Civic Centre, affectionately often called the ‘Crushed Can’ as a consequence of its swooping roof that wasn’t dissimilar to a pop can that was stepped on. Nonetheless, the Civic Centre wasn’t simply presupposed to be eye-catching. Constructed in 1959, the associated fee was a giant concern for town of Moose Jaw, and the architect they employed got here up with an concept to make use of cables to help the roof, eradicating the necessity for inside helps and thus offering an unobstructed view of the ice. The roof’s design additionally helped with power conservation, as the warmth was pushed up into the stands and away from the ice, that means the sector didn’t have so as to add extra heaters for followers close to the highest of the sector. All of that allowed for the constructing to be shorter than different arenas and value $525,000, or about $5.4 million at present.
The Civic Centre was awarded the Massey Award for Structure for its ingenious use of cables and hanging design, but it surely did have its drawbacks. The swooping roof meant that there was simply 12 toes of clearance at centre ice, and when you might see the entire ice from an upper-level seat, you couldn’t see the alternative facet of the constructing. The distinctive design additionally meant that repairs had been tough. By the 2000s, main work was wanted to get it as much as the WHL’s requirements. It had a capability of three,146, however solely match 2,750 seated followers on sport days, and the seats had been smaller than common – one other cost-cutting measure applied when it was constructed. The roof additionally prevented a scoreboard from hanging at centre ice for everybody to see, and exterior temperatures would have an effect on the ice inside because the leaking roof would drip proper onto the objective line.
Regardless of the historic significance, nobody needed to tackle the expansive preservation venture and in 2012, it was demolished. To interchange the Civic Centre, Moose Jaw opened Mosaic Place in 2011. The brand new area was virtually the alternative of the outdated area in virtually each approach. As a substitute of a small, cost-cutting constructing with a novel look, Mosaic Place resembled an airplane hanger, with a large footprint and a roof that bowed upward and value town double the projected value, with the ultimate price ticket coming in at $61 million. It was additionally tucked away in an older a part of downtown as an alternative of on the principle highway via town, making it a bit tougher to search out than earlier than.
Early evaluations of Mosaic Place, like different arenas that changed beloved outdated barns, had been combined. Followers had been crucial of the overpriced additions, the inconsistent occasion administration, and the poor parking choices. Administration might have ignored the complaints and instructed followers they’d get used to it, however that’s not how Moose Jaw operates. They listened to the issues, and over the following 12 years, labored to make Mosaic Stadium, now known as the Moose Jaw Occasions Centre, to make it one of the best expertise for the over 4,700 followers that might match within the constructing.
Nonetheless, one of the best factor was that the Crushed Can was not forgotten when the workforce moved. The Warriors’ workforce retailer nonetheless goes by the outdated area nickname, and the buildings that had been constructed within the ashes of the Civic Centre all have integrated the swooping designs on the highest of their storefronts. That is clearly a city that cares about its workforce, and people little particulars are what flip a big, soulless constructing right into a heat, welcoming place for all followers and honouring the story of the Warriors in Moose Jaw.
Meals and Extras
Abstract
- Tickets – $24.75 ($29 after SaskTix charges)
- Hat – $44.99
- Jersey – $159.99
- Puck – $9.99
In comparison with different arenas in my journey, the Warriors sit squarely within the center. The meals choices are restricted, however removed from the worst. There have been two customary concession stands: one provided alcoholic drinks with just a few snacks, and the opposite provided more-typical meals choices. On the latter, I acquired the Warrior Burger, which had an onion ring and BBQ sauce on it, and my spouse went for the Korean Beef Poutine. Neither had been all that particular, however they had been removed from disappointing. There have been some extra area of interest stands, with one serving primarily sizzling canines simply above our part, and on the far finish from us, an ice cream stand had an assortment of intriguing desserts.
I admit I used to be disillusioned with the out there souvenirs. The Crushed Can retailer sits exterior the principle area and we had been instructed explicitly that our tickets don’t allow re-entry, so testing all of the Warriors’ merchandise choices was a no-go. Inside the sector, there was a small space with some hoodies, hats, t-shirts, and a small assortment of your typical souvenirs like mini-sticks, posters, stickers, and pens. I additionally discovered the costs a bit steeper than I used to be anticipating, with hoodies clocking in at $80 and hats almost $50. It was considerably surreal after I added up the value of tickets, souvenirs, and meals, and found I paid much less to go to a sport within the Scotiabank Saddledome than I did for a Warriors sport.
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The upper costs doubtless come all the way down to the truth that Moose Jaw is a little bit of a vacationer city, boasting the well-known Temple Backyard Spa and the traditionally vital Tunnels of Moose Jaw, which Al Capone allegedly used to run alcohol throughout prohibition. In fact, my spouse and I needed to do each whereas visiting, since they’re two issues that give Moose Jaw its allure. However, similar to Banff or Niagara Falls, the whole lot was a bit costlier than I anticipated.
We additionally discovered just a few different attention-grabbing spots whereas wandering round downtown. Put up Horizon Books is a beautiful small-town used bookstore with some hidden gems and attention-grabbing native subjects. Comfortable Leisure Sports activities provided the whole lot a hockey fan might ask for, from team-branded merchandise to hockey playing cards. The Vintage Barn was additionally an attention-grabbing discover, with a way more eclectic assortment of antiques from across the prairies. In comparison with spots in Saskatoon, all of those shops charged a bit greater than I might have preferred, however they had been removed from vacationer traps. Moose Jaw could also be a vacationer city, but it surely’s nonetheless stuffed with that small-town allure and honesty. In the event that they’re going to do one thing, they will be certain it’s achieved proper.
Sept. 27, 2024 – Warriors vs. Pats
Moose Jaw has at all times achieved issues a little bit in another way in my expertise. Simply have a look at the Crushed Can – no different junior workforce within the WHL ever tried such a daring design to chop prices, however Moose Jaw thought exterior the field and got here up with probably the most iconic arenas ever to grace the league. The identical factor might be mentioned about their new place. The entrance entrance is surprisingly unobtrusive to the purpose the place I started to surprise if I used to be getting in the correct doorways however certain sufficient, I used to be shortly surrounded by Warriors’ jerseys. Nonetheless, as I walked by the Warriors’ official retailer, down a protracted hallway previous the ticket sales space, and round to the steps that led as much as the principle concourse, it regarded extra just like the basement of an workplace constructing than a hockey area.
As soon as inside the sector, nonetheless, the whole lot was the Warriors. In every single place I regarded was colored crimson and black; even the ice was bathed in a crimson glow. Then, when the pre-show started, the sound of a jet taking off reverberated via the sector simply earlier than “Hazard Zone” by Kenny Loggins began together with some static radio communication between fighter pilots. Sure, it was very Prime Gun, but it surely completely matched the Warriors’ new picture of the Snowbirds jet. To date in my journey, I haven’t seen any workforce embrace a theme so wholeheartedly.
It was additionally shocking for each my spouse and me as a result of, when the brand new area was unveiled, I purchased tickets for a sport as quickly as I might. Nonetheless, my expertise was much like that of the Medication Hat Tigers’ new area, in that the constructing was clear and spacious however lacked coronary heart. Now, nonetheless, that was actually not the case. The whole lot within the area was all in regards to the Warriors.
When the sport acquired going, I used to be excited to look at Lynden Lakovic, a prime 2025 NHL Entry Draft prospect. I’d seen him play a few occasions the earlier season when the Warriors had been in Saskatoon for the playoffs, and he stood out as a wise, hard-working participant who did a variety of little issues proper. He was going to be leaned on fairly closely for this sport, too, as Brayden Yager was nonetheless on the Winnipeg Jets’ coaching camp.
Issues didn’t begin nicely for the house workforce, although, because the Regina Pats’ veteran Zackary Shantz scored lower than a minute after the puck was dropped. The Warriors struggled to carry onto the puck, and though Lakovic had some good probabilities, nothing was getting by the Pats’ Kelton Pyne. It was robust to look at, however one brilliant spot was that, when Regina was despatched to the penalty field, the audio system performed one of many finest penalty songs I’ve ever heard at a hockey sport.
Lastly, early within the second interval, the Warriors broke via with an attractive breakaway from Rilen Kovacevic. With the sport tied, Moose Jaw turned on the gasoline, scoring two extra occasions earlier than the buzzer sounded to finish the interval, together with one from Lakovic. Every time they scored, a jet engine roared via the constructing. The Warriors scored as soon as extra to earn a 4-2 victory and Lakovic earned the sport’s second star.
I’ve to confess, I used to be impressed. This small-town workforce was placing on a greater present simply three video games into the season than I’ve seen at some NHL video games. With 3,274 individuals in attendance, the place wasn’t packed, however similar to Prince Albert, it sounded crammed to bursting each time the Warriors scored, which was spectacular sufficient with out considering the cavernous constructing. We sat 11 rows up, however nonetheless felt like we had been proper up towards the boards and had some incredible views of the motion. The walkways felt full, but it surely additionally appeared like individuals had been very happy to only stand and chat with their neighbours and pals.
That’s when it started to daybreak on me that this wasn’t only a place for hockey followers. There’s an additional degree of group and camaraderie right here I hadn’t ever observed earlier than in some other arenas. After I went to a sport in Saskatoon with my buddy Chad, he appeared to know everybody, however that appeared extra like an exception to the rule. The identical went for Regina, Prince Albert, Medication Hat, and Calgary. Folks had been there to look at hockey.
However in Moose Jaw, hockey virtually appeared like a secondary attraction, which lined up with what Leroy instructed me. “My earliest reminiscence of watching the Warriors goes again to the outdated Crushed Can, our outdated rink,” he mentioned, concerning going to video games within the Nineteen Eighties. “As youngsters, we’d all sit within the first couple of rows subsequent to the Warriors bench. When the Warriors scored, we’d all soar up on the boards and the gamers would come down the road and high-five the workforce and all the children leaning over the boards, that’s how quick the glass was again then!”
My dad has instructed me tales of watching Tigers video games as a child within the Seventies, and it by no means appeared like he had that type of entry to his favorite gamers. But the children of Moose Jaw had been getting high-fives from the likes of Fleury, Odelein, Keane, and Jim McKenzie, all of whom went on to play within the NHL. It was a particular connection particularly between the Warriors and their followers, and that got here straight again to the truth that the workforce was owned by the group and, thus, for the group.
Nonetheless, regardless of all these heat reminiscences, one of the best second got here a lot later. “My favorite reminiscence watching the workforce was this previous season,” Leroy mentioned. “Seeing them win the WHL championship at residence was superb. By way of the playoffs watching how the group rallied across the workforce was fairly particular.”
There it’s once more – group. “The environment on the rink is nice!” he added. “Even when issues aren’t going our approach on the ice, it’s at all times nice hockey to look at and it’s the group’s workforce. Moose Jaw isn’t a giant metropolis, so it’s a social occasion as nicely, you at all times run into individuals you recognize on the rink.”
After I talked with a fan on the Raiders sport, he additionally talked about how good it was to see outdated pals and the way it was simply one thing to do in a spot that didn’t have many different choices. There, too, individuals stood on the prime of the stands and chatted whereas watching the sport. However hockey was nonetheless the first focus. Moose Jaw has confirmed prior to now that, even when the hockey is nice, they received’t help a misguided franchise. The way in which that the Canucks’ ultimate proprietor dealt with enterprise virtually actually led to their downfall. Even the Warriors have struggled in very current years; forward of its championship-winning season, the workforce reported an total lack of over $280,000 from 2022-23.
However the Warriors are the place to be if you wish to see individuals. In a touristy city with a world-class spa and notorious tunnels beneath the streets, hockey remains to be the premier attraction for locals and the group has taken care of it. Virtually instantly after talking in regards to the dire monetary scenario, the Warriors president Chad Taylor mentioned, “The group at all times steps up for this workforce, it doesn’t matter what. The Warriors are wholesome; they’ve cash within the financial institution. However we at all times have to do a greater job discovering a brand new fan to turn into engaged and be a part of what the Moose Jaw Warriors carry. It’s about group, getting individuals out to hockey video games and it takes one particular person at a time.”
That’s the way in which the Warriors see it, and it attracts individuals in. It makes every fan a part of the story of the Warriors, even somebody like me, who solely went to a handful of video games after I lived close by. That’s what makes the Warriors a hit way over the banner that now hangs from the rafters – staying true to the historical past and story of the workforce, and staying true to the followers which might be with them each step of the way in which.
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