“We’re going to be brothers forever”: Winning the WHL Championship, in their own words

SASKTODAY.CA -- A season filled with promise, expectations and hope has paid off in the most incredible fashion possible.

For the first time in franchise history, the Moose Jaw Warriors are Western Hockey League champions.

SaskToday.ca was on the ice with the players as they celebrated their championship, here’s a selection of what they had to say about a magical night in Moose Jaw

Denton Mateychuk, Team captain and WHL Playoffs MVP

Winning the championship

“It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had, it’s crazy. Just feeling that thing, lifting it up, it doesn’t get any better than that.

Winning together

“It’s unbelievable, it’s absolutely great. I grew up with these guys and our goal was to always do this and today we (bleep)-ing did it… this city deserved it and we’re glad we can bring it to them.”

Atley Calvert, Moose Jaw product and graduating overager

Winning the championship

“I can’t describe it. So much work has gone into this, highs and lows throughout the year, but at the end of the day I’m going to remember this group of guys and obviously the fans, they really helped us this year.

Winning together

“It was our goal from day one, I knew it was going to be a special year, this is a special group and we’re going to be brothers forever.”

Mark O’Leary, head coach

Winning the championship

This is unbelievable. I just love this group, everything they’re about and even when I’m mad at them I love ‘em. And to have the opportunity to do this at home is special

First team to win championship

It means everything. Moose Jaw, I consider home now, I came here 12 years ago, I met my wife here, it’s home. To see how much it means to them is unbelievable. I can’t wait to share it with them.

Martin Rysavy, Two goals in Game 4 and graduating overager

Winning the championship

I’m just so proud, not just the team, but the whole city. You saw it on social media, the fans were absolutely amazing and they were the engine for us the whole time in the playoffs. It’s just incredible and just don’t have the words to describe it… it’s been a long journey and going for a Memorial Cup is just going to be so special.

Lucas Brenton, graduating overager and veteran defence presence

Winning the championship

“It’s unbelievable. I grew up with most of these guys, they’re my best buddies in the world except for my brothers and my family and it means so much to win this. It’s best feeling you could ask for, it’s just amazing.

Winning with fellow veterans

“Firky, Dents and Yags, we knew anything was possible with those guys and we did it, baby.”

Brayden Schuurman, Championship-winning goal scorer

Winning Game 4

“It’s incredible, it’s an incredible feeling to get that done as a group, and to battle through such a tight game, it was tough. Coming into that third period, we had confidence in our group we were going to come out on top and to make a play you have to throw it at the net. 

Final seconds of Game 4

“The dying seconds the guys were jumping up and down and we were feeling it all season. There’s a lot of bumps and bruises from the grind of the season and the playoffs, and to come out on a positive note is such a great feeling.”

Matthew Savoie, Key contributor throughout playoffs

Winning after being in the Final in 2023

It feels unreal, I mean, with how special of a group we had and how special of a run we had, that series against Saskatoon took a lot out of us but we fought the whole way and there’s no group I’d rather do it with.

Being part of championship run

I think if you want to go deep in the playoffs, you have to have that brotherhood and that camaraderie to play for each other every night and we had that right from the get go. Right from when I got here, they took me in and it was so much fun coming to rink every day.

Jackson Unger, veteran goaltender

Winning the championship

“It’s unbelievable. There’s no feeling like this. I feel so accomplished, I built my entire hockey career for this moment and we made it.”

Closeness of the team

We’ve been brothers since the (2021 COVID) bubble. We’ve been thorough lows, we’ve been through highs, this is the closest we’ve ever been and I’m so happy to share this moment with them.

Brayden Yager, key playoff contributor and veteran presence

Winning the championship

“It’s crazy. I grew up with these guys the past five years, it’s hard to explain and it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Living the dream

“I think every kid has the same dream, you’re counting down the seconds on the driveway playing road hockey and winning a championship. It’s crazy to think we’ve actually done it.”