In the Very Beginning

IN THE VERY BEGINNING BEFORE THE WHL Hockey in Moose Jaw goes by many names. The “Warriors” name can be traced back to as far as 1926, when the Moose Jaw Warriors, a member of the Prairie Hockey League played for a single season. With a 13-12-2-3-3 record, the Warriors soon became the Moose Jaw Maroons from 1927-1928. Next, the Maroons became the Millers from 1937-1942. In 1938 until 1966, the Moose Jaw Canucks were part of the SJHL and WCJHL. The Moose Jaw Pla-Mors of the SSHL and WCSHL played in 1958-1971. The Moose Jaw Canucks became part of the WHL for just two seasons in 1966. They were part of the SJHL from 1968-1984. HOME SWEET HOME Opened in 1959, the “Crushed Can” was home to hockey for 51 years. Designed by Saskatchewan architect Joseph Pettick and Vancouver structural engineer J.L. Miller, the Civic Centre won the Massey Medal for architecture. The innovative cable structure roof that gives the building its unique shape was an ingenious and cost effective solution that allowed such a large building to be constructed on a modest budget, while maintaining an unobstructed view of the arena surface from all seats. At the time it was built it was the largest cable structure in Canada. It is sometimes called "The Crushed Can" because of its unusual shape. The building was officially opened as The Moose Jaw Community Centre on September 19, 1959, with a gala event hosted by Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas, and featuring a performance by Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars. The main reason for the building was a fire that destroyed the old arena rink on Ross Street in the fall of 1955. City Council then appointed a group of citizens to oversee plans for a new building. From the opening night program: "The project is the largest of its type undertaken in the City. Its history is one of courage, energy and enthusiasm unhampered by adversity." A CANUCKS TALE The Moose Jaw Canucks were one of the founding members of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League (today known as the WHL). The franchise itself was founded in 1934 and ended in 1984. The Canucks played in a number of different leagues. 1935-48-: Southern Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League 1948-56: Western Canada Junior Hockey League 1956-66: Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League 1966-68: Western Canada Junior Hockey League 1968-84: Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League In the summer of 1966, the Canucks were one of five SJHL clubs that left the provincial league to join franchises in Calgary and Edmonton in the new Western Canada Junior Hockey League. The league was considered a "rebel league" by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, and thus denied the right to compete for Canadian junior hockey's top prize, the Memorial Cup. In the WCJHL's inaugural season, the Canucks won the league championship despite finishing 4th in the overall standings. The following year, the Canucks would lose out in the league semi-finals after another 4th place finish. Concerned about the WCJHL's poor reputation with the CAHA and hoping to once again compete for the Memorial Cup, the Canucks, along with the Regina Pats and Weyburn Red Wings, would leave the WCJHL to return to the reborn SJHL. Following the reorganization of junior hockey in 1970, which saw the Western Canada Hockey League gain Tier-I status, the Canucks attempted to rejoin the WCHL but were denied. The Canucks would remain in the Tier-II SJHL until the arrival of the Warriors. .

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