MOOSE JAW WARRIORS: Trio Inducted To Hall Of Fame

(Story courtesy Marc Smith, DiscoverMooseJaw.com)  The memories were flowing and three important pieces of Moose Jaw Warriors’ history were honoured on Thursday night.

The Conexus Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame grew by three members during the induction banquet on Thursday with Lyle Odelein and Darryl Laplante going into the hall as players and Lyle Helland joining them in the builder category.

A record of almost 450 people was on hand to celebrate the induction of these three important members of the Warriors’ organization.

Odelein Grows Into NHLer In MJ

For 189 games from 1985 to 1988, Lyle Odelein patrolled the blue line for the Moose Jaw Warriors.  That would just be the start of his hockey career, but it laid the foundation for what was to come.

His accomplishments were honoured on Thursday with his induction into the Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame.

“I never thought I’d make it to the WHL, let alone play so long in the NHL, but it’s quite an honour and I’m quite thrilled, and really happy to be here,” Odelein said prior to the banquet on Thursday.

Odelein finished with 163 points during his Warriors career, which put him third all-time among team defencemen.  After that he would go onto a 19-year NHL career that included 1,056 career games with eight teams, 50 goals, 252 points and 2,316 penalty minutes.

It didn’t come as a surprise to many that Odelein found his way back to Moose Jaw to be inducted into the hall, but he said he was shocked.  “I talked to (Mike Keane) and some of the boys, Jim McKenzie emailed me, so I was pretty excited,” said Odelein.

Playing in the early days of the Warriors organization with the likes of Keane, Kelly Buchberger and Theoren Fleury – all previous inductees – Odelein said his time in Moose Jaw was something that he’ll always cherish.

“It was great,” he said.  “In 85-86, there are five of us that have eight Stanley Cup rings, so that’s pretty amazing for the guys that I played with.

“I loved it.  First of all playing in the WHL was a big thing and then moving on.  The Civic Centre was a great arena.”

Odelein retired from the NHL in 2006 and now lives in Pittsburgh with his wife.

Laplante Remembered For Smooth Style

He was the first back-to-back captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors and led the charge for the tribe over three seasons.  Darryl Laplante was remembered as a true leader and for his “silky smooth” skills as he was inducted into the Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame.

“There have been so many great players that have come through Moose Jaw and to be recognized as one of them is quite an honour,” said the veteran of 212 WHL games with the Warriors.

Laplante finished his Warriors career with 102 goals and 208 points before going onto play 35 games in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings and spending time in the AHL and ECHL from 1997 to 2004.

While he hasn’t called the Friendly City home since 1997, Laplante still considers Moose Jaw a second home.  

“Being here was great, I loved the people here and I made a lot of great friends here,” he said.  “I’ve driven through Moose Jaw a few times and I get that same feeling driving to Moose Jaw that I did when I would drive back home to Calgary when you get excited and know you’re going home.”

Laplante was honoured to be recognized by the organization that gave him his start towards the professional hockey ranks.

“I’ve got nothing but great things to say about Moose Jaw and my time here,” he said.  “It’s just such a great feeling to be recognized.  I spent three years here and you always wondering what kind of impression you left and this allows me to know that what I did here was worthwhile.”

During his induction speech, Laplante thanked his billets, Jim and Linda Low, who he still remains close with until this day.

Since his hockey career ended in 2004, Laplante has graduated from nursing school and recently began medical sales.

Helland Key In Warriors History

Without Lyle Helland, there might not have been a Moose Jaw Warriors.  He was a part of the original group that brought the Warriors to Moose Jaw from Winnipeg in 1984 and he literally brought the team here, moving them over in his truck.

“It was a lot of work, a lot of heartaches and a lot of begging for money,” said Helland on the early days.  “We would run out of money and wouldn’t even have money for stamps.”

At one point, Helland took out a mortgage on his home to ensure that the team was able to come to Moose Jaw.  He then served on the team’s Board of Directors throughout the 1980s and has been a season ticket holder for 29 years.

“I use to go to little towns around the country and I would give people a half of dozen tickets, saying ‘Come on into a game,’” he said.  “About 3-4 times like that and it wasn’t long before those people were buying tickets, so it went like that.”

Through all his years associated with the team and following the team, Helland says his favourite remains that first season in 1984-85.

“I really like that first year, I was deeply involved with the Warriors that first year because we had no office staff, I ran the whole show,” he said.

Although he played a large role in building the foundation for the team, Helland never thought he would be going into the Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame.

“I never expected anything like this,” he said.  “I always said I’ve probably done a lot, but I don’t know if I’m deserving or not.”

The Hall of Fame Weekend will continue on Saturday when Helland, along with Odelein and Laplante will be on hand at the game between the Warriors and Regina Pats at Mosaic Place.  They will be a part of a pre-game ceremony that will recognize their induction.