Former Warriors goalie Joey Perricone is honoured during the Warriors' 30th anniversary celebrations on Friday night at Mosaic Place.

Joey Perricone’s impact on the Moose Jaw Warriors can be summed up in one magically season, but the city and organization’s impact on him was developed over the course of five seasons.

Perricone returned to Moose Jaw on Friday after being voted onto the Warriors’ 30th anniversary all-time team and was in attendance for Friday’s game against the Saskatoon Blades when the team was announced.

“I’m happy to be back,” said Perricone.  “A lot of memories coming through here, driving down the same roads that I’ve been down before.  Obviously I didn’t play at this rink, but it’s still the same culture and it’s good to be back.”

The Warriors’ all-time team was made up of three forwards — Theoren Fleury, Ryan Smyth and Troy Brouwer — as well as two defencemen — Morgan Rielly and Travis Hamonic — all who have went on to NHL careers after Moose Jaw.

Warriors’ all-time team member Joey Perricone joins James Gallo and Derek Kletzel on the Country 100 broadcast during Friday’s game.

Perricone was voted in as the greatest goalie in the team’s history without ever setting foot in the National Hockey League.  That just goes to show the type of career he was able to put together in Moose Jaw.

“To be in that company and here, I think I had a good career and I’m real honoured to be a part of this organization and I’m happy that the fans think that way of me,” said the goalie from San Juan Capistrano, California.

During his five seasons with the Warriors, Perricone played in 211 games and posted a 93-79-12-8 record.  He holds a number of franchise records, including games played by a goaltender (211), wins (93), minutes played (11,813) and shutouts (10).  

What Perricone is most remembered for though, is leading the team to their only WHL Final appearance in 2006 when he was named Eastern Conference MVP during the run to championship game.

“Obviously the finals run is a big reason why I’m in this company,” said Perricone.  

After his time in Moose Jaw, Perricone went on to play in the CIS with the St. Francis Xavier University for four years, playing in 70 games.  He posted a 14-4 record during 19 games in 2010-11.

Since retiring from the ice, Perricone remains involved in the game as a goalie coach with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Perricone attributes his five years in Moose Jaw with preparing him for the rest of his life.

“When I was 16 I didn’t know a thing,” he said.  “I’m the youngest of seven and I was certainly the youngest acting 16-year-old in the league at the time, but I grew up a lot in five years.”

Perricone was a member of the initial group of players that came to the WHL from California and he said coming to Moose Jaw was better for him that going to a bigger market.

“It was a different experience, small time atmosphere, but I loved it,” he said.  “It was for me for sure, I don’t think I would have succeed and done as well if I was in a bigger market.  This was the place I needed to be.”

Mike Brodeur was the Warriors goalie during Perricone’s rookie season and he said he played a big part in showing him what it takes to play at the WHL level.

“There’s a ton of guys like that who helped influence the way that I acted and who I’ve become today for sure,” said Perricone.

It’s been over ten years since Perricone first put on a Warriors’ jersey, but being a Warrior still means a lot to the “kid from California.”

“Not many guys can say that they were a part of the same team for five years,” said Perricone.  “I feel like it’s just part of me to say that I was part of the Warriors.  It’s tough to describe it with words, I know it’s my home in a sense.”

The Warriors will continue to celebrate their 30th anniversary on Saturday night with the Regina Pats in town.  Theo Fleury will also be on hand for the game.