Moose Jaw Warriors win first WHL championship in 40-year franchise history

The Moose Jaw Warriors made history on Wednesday night by winning the team's first-ever Western Hockey League championship.

The Saskatchewan team clinched the WHL title with a 4-2 victory over the Portland Winterhawks to complete the series sweep in front of a sold-out home crowd.

Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk was named WHL playoff MVP after leading all defencemen in scoring, with 30 points.

Celebrating a WHL championship with his teammates is an unbelievable experience, he said.

"It's super special to win with all the brothers that I have in that room — you know, I got 25 of them," Mateychuk said after Game 4.

"We're so excited."

WATCH | Moose Jaw Warriors fans out in full force to support team in WHL championship: 

Moose Jaw Warriors fans out in full force to support team in WHL championship

6 months ago

Duration 1:05

Moose Jaw Warriors fans were showing off their team pride in advance of Game 4 of the WHL championship series Wednesday. The Warriors went on to win the game and the series with a 4-2 victory.

Jackson Unger made 24 saves in game four to help the Warriors secure their first Ed Chynoweth Cup. The goalie said he's never experienced anything like winning four straight games in the WHL final.

"This is so special. This has got to be the best moment of my hockey career by far, even my life," Unger said. "This feeling is incomparable."

Moose Jaw had only made it to the WHL championship series once in their 40-year history prior to this season. The Warriors were swept by the Vancouver Giants in 2006.

Moose Jaw forward Atley Calvert, who grew up going to Warriors games with his family, said it means a lot to be part of the team that finally won a championship for his hometown.

"To do it in my hometown in front of these amazing people that I grew up with, it's something truly special that I can't describe," Calvert said.

Throughout the championship run, Warriors' players have credited the fans in Moose Jaw for giving them a boost.

Zeb Smith said he's been a Moose Jaw Warriors' fan since he was born in 1995. His grandfather had season tickets, and Smith now tries to make it to every home game with his dad and brother.

Watching the Warriors win their first WHL championship was emotional, said Smith.

"I could get emotional right now just talking about it," he said on Thursday.

"It's everything for this community — especially for my family. We love the Warriors. This city loves the Warriors. It's a very special thing for all of us."

Smith said the Warriors are a representation of the city of Moose Jaw.

"Not being afraid to get down and get dirty, that's what Moose Jaw is," Smith said. "We go to work and we work, but we also play hard."

Jason Edwards has had Warriors season tickets for 20 years. Watching this group of players succeed has been awesome, he said.

"They grew every game. This is the best team in Warriors history," Edwards said. "It's been huge for our community and there's been great support from our community."

Gerry Meili, 78, has been a Warriors season ticket holder for nearly 30 years. He believes this championship run will create a new generation of life-long fans.

"Even in the last two games, how many young people were in the rink, it's unbelievable," Meili said. 

"To bring your kid and pay $40 for a seat, they know that's important. I think that's going to really resonate with the kids."

Now the Warriors have the chance to make more history. 

Moose Jaw booked their ticket to Saginaw, Mich., for the Memorial Cup by winning the WHL championship. 

The Warriors will be competing against the Drummondville Voltigeurs, who won the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship, the London Knights, who won the Ontario Hockey League, and the Saginaw Spirit, who are hosting the tournament.

The Warriors kick off their tournament campaign against the Spirit on May 24, in the opening game of the Memorial Cup. 

Moose Jaw head coach Mark O'Leary said he's confident in his team's chances to win the franchise's first-ever Memorial Cup.

"We're going to go there and win that too," O'Leary said.