The Moose Jaw Warriors Alumni Golf Tournament has become one of those events that just seems to find success year in and year out like clockwork.
The 2023 edition of the tournament Friday at the Hillcrest Golf Club was no exception, as the 100-plus competitors took to the course on another beautiful day, enjoying the camaraderie while doing their part to support the education fund.
That aspect remains the most important part of the event, as organizer Todd Hudson expects another $100,000 or more to be added to the education fund coffers by the time things are said and done.
“That’s kind of the benchmark we try and reach every year,” Hudson said shortly after tee-off on Friday morning. “It’s pretty good that a WHL hockey team can raise that much money in one day, and it’s all about the community coming out and showing their support.”
It’s not difficult to find former players who have put the education fund to good use. At least three-quarters of the alumni on hand this year had dipped into fund to create their post-WHL careers, including one member of the Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame.
“I look forward to this weekend every year, just to see the guys and be a part of it all and support the organization,” said Scott Thomas, who was inducted in 2010 alongside Theoren Fleury. “It meant a lot to me back in the day, it’s a big part of who I’ve become…. I married a girl from Moose Jaw, we have a cabin at Buffalo Pound so we keep coming back here.
“And supporting the scholarship fund is very important, too. I was lucky enough to be a recipient back in its infancy and it’s certainly far larger now, thanks to events like this. They’re pretty much fully funded when they go to school and I’m honoured to be a part of that and to support that cause.”
Former Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Scott Thomas is now Dr. Scott Thomas, a chiropractor with Attridge Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic in Saskatoon. As he touched on, the education fund played a role in him earning his degree and launching his career, even if the program was in its earliest days when he was playing in the early 90s.
“For me, it became pretty apparent I wasn’t going to make a future playing hockey when I was about 19 and I started thinking about what I was going to do after that,” Thomas said. “Fortunately for me at the time, I got into school thinking I was going to be a teacher but three years in decided to become a chiropractor. The scholarship fund definitely helped me get through my undergrad, and kick-started me into my career and I’ll always appreciate that.”
While the fund only covered a small portion of Thomas’ education, seeing it grow into the kind of system that can support four years of college or university education is a hugely positive development in his eyes.
“These kids are going to be comfortably supported, they’re not going to have that stress and that’s so important,” Thomas said. “For these kids to play hockey and know they have that nest egg, that’s an amazing thing and makes a huge difference.”
Fleury himself didn’t need to rely on the education fund -- a 16-year NHL career saw to that -- but being able to support the program is one of the things that keeps him coming back year after year.
“I think that was the best thing the league put in, having a chance to earn money for U.S. colleges, and there are guys who have used it to become very successful people,” Fleury said. “Guys like Scott Thomas and so many others, there are so many untold stories of guys who used the education fund and went on to great things.”
Of course, none of this would be a thing if it wasn’t for the ongoing support of the Moose Jaw business community. Hudson barely even has to ask for their help at this point, just putting out the word is often enough to see the funds roll in.
“The Moose Jaw business community is so behind this tournament, it’s been 12 years and it’s the same guys who step up year after year,” Hudson said. “They help make this tournament so successful.”
And, of course, the alumni. With so many players coming back every year, the tournament has the star power to keep everyone interested.
“Guys like Korzy (Ryder Korczak) and Theoren Fleury of course, (Cody) Beach, some real character guys like Tanner Eberle, the list goes on and on,” Hudson said. “Those guys help make this tournament what it is, and we can never thank them enough.”
