Moose Jaw Warriors fans abuzz ahead of team's first-ever Memorial Cup
Warriors kick off tournament Friday against the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit
Gus Wilson knew what he had to do once the Moose Jaw Warriors took a 2-0 series lead against the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League finals.
The 50-year-old diehard Warriors fan began looking at tickets for the 2024 Memorial Cup in Saginaw, Mich.
"When I watched that second game on TV, I knew we were winning Game 3. I couldn't tell you I knew we were winning Game 4, but I knew at Game 3 it was time to start buying tickets," Wilson said.
The Warriors went on to finish the job, winning the third and fourth games of the series in front of a sold-out home arena to complete the sweep. It's the first time in the team's 40-year history that Moose Jaw has won the WHL championship and secured a berth to the Memorial Cup.
Now, the Warriors are looking to add another trophy to go alongside the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Moose Jaw is playing the Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit on Friday night in the opening match of the Memorial Cup. Puck drop is at 5:30 CST.
Wilson has been going to Warriors games since he was 10 years old, when the team moved to Moose Jaw in 1984. He cannot wait to see his team finally play in the Memorial Cup.
"I'm a 50-year-old man that wants to cry, right. I mean I shouldn't be wanting to cry, but I guess that's how excited I am," Wilson said.
This isn't Wilson's first Memorial Cup experience. He's been to the tournament in both Saskatoon and Regina with his son, but he expects this year's action will stand out.
"It was OK, but it sucked because you were watching a whole bunch of teams that weren't your team," Wilson said. " I actually cheered that year [in Saskatoon] for the Portland Winterhawks. The Saskatoon Blades were in it but you ain't gonna cheer for a rival."
Wilson is in Saginaw with two other Warriors fans. He said they're all there for the same reason.
"To go watch the Warriors win," Wilson said.
Back in Moose Jaw, there are watch parties with prizes planned at The Crushed Can, across from the Warriors' home arena, for all the Memorial Cup games.
Alex Carleton, the owner of the sports bar, said the Warriors' historic season has been great for business because people are packing the bar for all the games.
"It's been pretty electric. The loudest I've ever been to the hockey rink was in our playoffs here in those final games," Carleton said. "It was also definitely the loudest The Crushed Can has ever been during those away games and playoff wins and overtime wins."
Warriors forward Jagger Firkus was named WHL player of the year this year. He said team members are grateful for the city's support through their championship run.
"It means the world to us," Firkus said. " We've seen it in the playoffs with them showing up after games and in games as well."
"It's unbelievable."
Wilson said he is grateful for how well the players interact with the community.
He provided the example of when he approached a bunch of players on the golf course to take a photo with the Ed Chynoweth Cup.
"Just stand-up individuals too, like these guys could have just shunned [me]. They didn't have to [but] they're all part of it," Wilson said.
"They're very well-respected kids out there. It's great, because in 40 years, we've never seen anything like this."
The Warriors will also be playing the OHL champions, the London Knights, on Monday and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League champions, the Drummondville Voltigeurs, on Tuesday in the group stage of the tournament. The winner of the Memorial Cup will be crowned on June 2.
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