The Moose Jaw Warriors have a storied history in the Western Hockey League (WHL), marked by periods of struggle, significant turning points, and ultimately, championship success. The team's journey from Winnipeg to Moose Jaw, coupled with strategic player development and key postseason victories, has solidified its place in WHL history.
Relocation and Early Challenges
Following the franchise's relocation from Winnipeg in 1984, the Moose Jaw Warriors experienced prolonged on-ice difficulties, characterized by infrequent playoff qualifications and finishes near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Over the first two decades, the team rarely contended for division honors, with success remaining elusive amid challenges in player development and consistent performance.
The relocation was facilitated by Moose Jaw's provision of the Civic Centre arena, a 3,146-seat facility that offered guaranteed access and community backing, addressing Winnipeg's gate woes without the distraction of major-league hockey in the market.
The Warriors played their home games at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre, a 3,146-seat arena constructed in 1959 and affectionately nicknamed "The Crushed Can" for its distinctive, dented-roof appearance. The facility's limited capacity-effectively around 2,750 seated spectators due to design constraints-and outdated infrastructure contributed to subdued attendance figures, averaging below optimal levels and hindering revenue generation.
In 2011, the team transitioned to the newly opened Moose Jaw Events Centre (later renamed Temple Gardens Centre), a modern facility with a hockey capacity of 4,714 seats, including suites and club seating. This upgrade facilitated improved attendance, correlating with enhanced fan engagement post-move, as the larger, more versatile venue supported better event hosting and accommodated growing interest amid gradual on-ice progress.
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Turning Points and Division Titles
A pivotal early turning point arrived in the 2003-04 season, when the Warriors captured their first East Division title, propelled by effective scouting and draft selections that bolstered roster depth.
Ed Chynoweth Cup Victory
In playoff milestones, the 2024 postseason marked the team's first Ed Chynoweth Cup victory, culminating in a 4-0 sweep of the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL Final on May 15, 2024, with Moose Jaw scoring 90 goals across the playoffs at an average of 4.5 per game while allowing 60. The preceding Eastern Conference Final against the Saskatoon Blades featured a seven-game series with a league-record six overtime contests, including the decisive Game 7, highlighting the Warriors' resilience in extended play.
Key Players in the 2024 Championship Run
Central to the Warriors' success was captain and defenseman Denton Mateychuk, named the 2024 WHL Playoffs MVP after leading all defensemen with 30 points (7 goals, 23 assists) in 18 games. Forward Martin Rysavy emerged as a key offensive contributor, scoring two goals in the championship-clinching Game 4 and providing consistent scoring throughout the postseason. Goaltender Atlee Rankin delivered critical performances, posting a strong goals-against average and save percentage that anchored the team's defensive efforts.
NHL Alumni and Player Development
The Moose Jaw Warriors have developed a robust pipeline to the National Hockey League, with numerous alumni advancing to professional rosters after excelling in the Western Hockey League. High-performing juniors, particularly top scorers and defensemen during their Warriors tenure, have shown accelerated transitions to NHL contention, often debuting within one to two seasons post-graduation.
Defenseman Jason Widmer, who played for the Warriors from 1989 to 1992, amassed 348 AHL games across teams like the Adirondack Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins, recording 119 points (27 goals, 92 assists) while accumulating 636 penalty minutes, highlighting a physical, defensive-oriented style suited to minor-pro demands.
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European leagues have attracted Warriors alumni seeking longer careers amid competitive North American pathways, with players like forward Tristin Langan (2016-2020) posting 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 7 Elite Ice Hockey League games for the Glasgow Clan in 2025-26.
Recent Seasons and Future Outlook
The Moose Jaw Warriors concluded the 2023-24 regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 44 wins, 21 losses, 0 overtime losses, and 3 shootout losses, accumulating 91 points. Entering the playoffs as the second seed in the East, the team exhibited dominance through a series of decisive victories: a 4-0 sweep over the Prince Albert Raiders in the first round, a 4-1 series win against the Swift Current Broncos in the division semifinals, and a 4-2 triumph over the top-seeded Saskatoon Blades in the Eastern Conference final.
The Moose Jaw Warriors entered the 2025-26 Western Hockey League season following a 2024-25 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs after their 2024 championship, with general manager Jason Ripplinger emphasizing a deliberate build through prospect development and roster depth. As of October 17, 2025, the team held a 5-6-0 record with 51 goals for and 51 against, reflecting balanced but inconsistent early performance against East Division rivals like the strengthening Saskatoon Blades and Regina Pats.
| Season | Record | Standing | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 44-21-0-3 | 2nd in Eastern Conference | Won Ed Chynoweth Cup |
| 2024-25 | N/A | N/A | Missed Playoffs |
| 2025-26 (as of Oct 17) | 5-6-0 | N/A | N/A |
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