'I love this city:' Mateychuk and Warriors celebrate historic season

A historic season is officially in the books. 

The Moose Jaw Warriors returned to the Friendly City over the weekend following a franchise first appearance at the Memorial Cup, and we were greeted by hundreds of Warriors’ faithful as the team, coaches, office staff and the booster club paraded down Main Street from the Town N Country Mall to the Hangar. 

“This is awesome,” said Beth Longworth as her and her family waited for the parade to reach their vantage point. 

“I think this is great and I think they deserve all this recognition.” 

Longworth, a lifelong fan, recounted her experience witnessing the Warriors win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in front of a sold-out crowd at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. 

“It was unreal. We were screaming and just seeing the boys all happy and everything that was awesome,” said Longworth. 

It was a long road for the Warriors to get to this point and it all started back in “The Hub” during the 2021 season. 

Beth Longworth (right) and her family.

In an interview with Voice of the Warriors’ James Gallo last month, he called general manager Jason Ripplinger the “architect” of this team as the core of Denton Mateychuk, Jagger Firkus, Atley Calvert, Lucas Brenton and Jackson Ungar came together during that hub season.  

“It’s been years in the making,” said Gallo.  

The Warriors' first big moves this season came in October when the Warriors acquired Kalem Parker and Brayden Schuurman from Victoria. After Christmas, the Warriors added Rilen Kovacevic and Vojtech Port from the Edmonton Oil Kings.  

Then came the big move, as the Warriors made a trade at the deadline with the Wenatchee Wild to bring in star forward Matthew Savoie 

Todd Montgomery (right) with family and friends at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

With the team in place, the Warriors went on a run through the playoffs. Taking down Brandon and Swift Current with ease, before a grueling seven game battle with the Saskatoon Blades to win the Eastern Conference Championship. 

Then in fine form, the Warriors swept the Portland Winterhawks to capture the team’s first WHL Championship. 

“Everyone knows this is 40 years in the making and this is historic for Moose Jaw, and it means so much for everyone here,” said Chelsea Berjian in an interview with Discover Moose Jaw in May. 

“It was just electric in here and it means so much to bring it home in four and on home ice as well. We're a huge hockey family. We've been here for years. We've been season ticket holders and so it means so much to finally see such a great group of guys finish it off for us,” Berjian added.

The Moose Jaw Warriors with members of the Moose Jaw Police Service ahead of the parade. Photo credit: Moose Jaw Police Service.

The Warriors didn’t have long to rest and celebrate their WHL Championship win as the team was off to Saginaw, Mich. for the 104th Memorial Cup.  

The Warriors battled with the host team and the best of the OHL and QMJHL before exiting the tournament in third place. 

With the season officially over the celebration began! The team paraded down Main Street all the way to the Moose Jaw Events Centre where the team showed off their hardwear and thanked the fanbase for all the support. 

“This is unbelievable. This is great for the community. I'm happy to see this many people out. It's not every time you get to win a championship and the boys did it,” said Jeff Calvert, father of Atley Calvert. 

“Yeah, it was a really good run for the fellas. It was nice to see Atley get a chance to win and he got to play his brother in the semifinal, which was an unbelievable series. And for the family, it was a really good experience.” 

Over 600 Warriors’ fans packed into the Moose Jaw Events Centre to hear from the team and take pictures with the Eastern Conference Championship and the Ed Chynoweth Cup. 

The Moose Jaw Warriors on stage at the Moose Jaw Event Centre.

“You guys were there all the way, and it means everything to all the guys up here,” said Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk as the crowd chanted M.V.P. 

“From the bottom of my heart, I love this city,” Mateychuk added. 

As this historic chapter closes, just remember we are only three months away from the ride starting again. 

- with files from Shawn Slaght 

Share your photos and videos from the parade by emailing news@discovermoosejaw.com