The Moose Jaw Warriors announce that on Saturday, October 5th they will honor the Moose Jaw Canucks and welcome back former Canuck Chris Chelios proudly presented by Rodo’s Pizza, Mr. Sub, and the Mad Greek.
“Paying tribute to the Moose Jaw Canucks has been something we’ve been working on for a number of years,” said Warriors Director of Business Operations Corey Nyhagen. “The Canucks and their alumni have played a major role in the foundation of amateur hockey in Moose Jaw. Being able to honor them is something that we take great pride in and is well overdue.”
“Chris is without question one of the most notable hockey player to come out of the Moose Jaw program,” Nyhagen added. “We’re excited about his return to the Friendly City, and honoured to be able to pay tribute to him as he enters the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.”
The Moose Jaw Canucks were one of the founding members of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League, which is now known today as the Western Hockey League. The franchise began in 1934 and ended in 1984, during that time they played in a number of leagues including the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (1968-1984).
In 1966 the Canucks were one of five SJHL clubs that left the league to join the WCJHL, however they were denied the right to compete for the Memorial Cup. In the league’s inaugural season, the Canucks finished fourth in the overall standings and then went on to capture the league championship. Moose Jaw would rejoin the SJHL in 1968.
Chelios played with the Canucks from 1979 to 1981. In 108 games he had 35 goals, 98 assists, 131 points, and 295 penalty minutes. He left the Friendly City to attend the University of Wisconsin from 1981 to 1983, Montreal selected him 40th overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft.
Chelios played over two decades in the National Hockey League with Montreal, Chicago, Detroit, and Atlanta. He played in 1651 games, he had 185 goals, 763 assists, 948 points, and 2891 penalty minutes. He captured three Stanley Cups, in 1986 with Montreal and then again in 2002 and 2008 with Detroit. He retired from professional hockey in 2010, and will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame November 10th.
The Moose Jaw Warriors will honour Chelios by wearing Hockey Hall of Fame “Chelios” jersey’s during warm-up of the October 5th game, Chelios will take part in a ceremonial puck drop. The Warriors will honour the Moose Jaw Canucks by wearing special edition Canucks jersey for the game.
Hall of Fame Chelios jerseys will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Moose Jaw Humane Society, while the Moose Jaw Canucks jerseys will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family Program to help local families over the holidays.
2 comments:
I had no idea Chelios played in Moose Jaw. He must have dominated the SJ in that time.
Glen
Great move by the Warriors
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