In a landmark year for Saskatchewan sports, various teams and athletes achieved outstanding feats, leaving an indelible mark on 2024. The Moose Jaw Warriors clinched their first WHL championship, a victory underscored by their sweep against the Portland Winterhawks. Warriors’ head coach Mark O’Leary expressed profound admiration for his team, celebrating their historic achievement.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Roughriders found their way back to the CFL playoffs after a challenging few years. Under new head coach Corey Mace, the team advanced past the BC Lions before succumbing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West Division Final. Quarterback Trevor Harris’s contract extension signals stability for the Roughriders as they look forward to the next season.
Saskatchewan athletes also shone globally at the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris. Collectively, they brought home five medals, highlighted by a silver in rugby sevens and bronzes in cycling, volleyball, swimming, and synchronized diving. Rylan Wiens and Nathan Zsombor-Murray’s historic diving bronze added a significant chapter in Canada’s sporting annals.
The advent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League was a boon for female athletes, with several Saskatchewan natives making their mark in the inaugural season. Saskatoon’s Emily Clark and Sophie Shirley, alongside others, excelled both domestically and internationally. Team McEwen’s curling contingent also generated excitement, nearly ending a provincial championship drought at the Brier, ultimately succumbing to Team Canada in the final.
These stories reflect a year where Saskatchewan sports not only captured victories but also hearts, laying a promising foundation for the future.
