Moose Jaw Express Pedersen Column

Reprinted with permission of the Moose Jaw Express newspaper.

Rod Pedersen’s 10 Sports Things (& More)

1 – WE’RE THE MILLERS: It was quite a week for the WCBL’s Moose Jaw Miller Express. As the League handed out its 2026 year-end awards, first-year MJ skipper Michael Gonzalez was named Coach of the Year while fireballer Westin Walls was named Pitcher of the Year after setting a single season record for strikeouts. The Millers set a franchise record for wins with 41, including a 14-game win streak, also a club mark.

2 – TIME TO SHINE: Named to the 1st All Star team were C Garryn Plummer, SS Thomas Soto and P Jacob Glazener and Walls. Named to the 2nd All Star team were OF Chris Franks and DH Eduardo Saenz, and voted to the 3rd All Star team were OF Will Edwards and P Jacob Quiles. 2B Ben Waliczek received an honourable mention from the League.

3 – FROM THE TOP: Miller Express President Darryl Pisio provided this statement from the ball club: “The Moose Jaw Miller Express organization would like to thank all the WCBL coaches and selected members of the media for their involvement and time into these awards. Greatly appreciated. As we look through all the nominees, award winners, All Star selections and reflect on the season, we understand why the WCBL is considered a premier summer collegiate league. The level of talent is off the charts. The MJ Miller Express are extremely proud of our 9 All Star selections, Westin Walls winning Outstanding Pitcher, and of course a huge congratulations to our head coach Michael Gonzalez for his leadership and continued winning culture – leading us to a franchise record best 41-15. We are very excited for Michael on his award and are excited to have him back in Moose Jaw for the 2027 season.”

4 – CONGRATS GONZO: “There are a lot of good coaches in the league so to be selected is pretty special,” Gonzalez told the MJ Express from his off-season home in New Jersey. “I want to thank the coaches and voters who put me forward. Very fortunate to have a great coaching staff (Geoff Freeborn & Michael Hunt) that not only did a good job with the players day-to-day, but also made it a lot of fun. I’m incredibly honored to be named WCBL Coach of the Year. This is really a team award—our players showed up every day ready to compete and have fun, and I’m fortunate to work with a great organization that made it all possible. Thanks to everyone who supported us this summer.”

5 – IN THE HANGAR: At press time, the Moose Jaw Warriors sat 2-2-0 overall and in 9th place in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. However they’ve played by farrrrr the least amount of games, with their most recent being a 5-2 home loss to the Red Deer Rebels. By contrast, the 5-2 Brandon Wheat Kings lead the entire conference. The Tribe is at Saskatoon on Friday night and welcome Prince Albert to the Remple Temple on Saturday.

6 – INTO THE HALL: The Moose Jaw Warriors announced that Doctor Brennen Wray, Joey Perricone, and the Warriors Golf Committee will be inducted into the Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame next month. From San Juan Capistrano, CA, goaltender Perricone played five seasons in MJ (2003-08), suiting up in 211 games, and finishing with a record of 93-79-12-8. From Moose Jaw, Wray played 171 regular-season games for Moose Jaw (2004-07), and was a member of the 2006 Eastern Conference Championship team.

7 – DUB EAST POWER RANKINGS: 1) Medicine Hat, 2) Brandon, 3) Red Deer, 4) Calgary, 5) Swift Current, 6) Moose Jaw, 7), Regina 8) Saskatoon, 9) Edmonton, 10) Prince Albert, 11) Lethbridge.

8 – SJHL POWER RANKINGS: 1) Warman, 2) Weyburn, 3) Humboldt, 4) Flin Flon, 5) Melfort 6) Melville, 7) Yorkton, 8) Nipawin, 9) Kindersley, 10) Battlefords, 11) Estevan, 12) La Ronge.

9 – CFL POWER RANKINGS: 1) Montreal, 2) Edmonton, 3) BC, 4) Toronto, 5) Saskatchewan, 6) Calgary, 7) Winnipeg, 8) Hamilton, 9) Ottawa.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: DUB teams are flying now? I may make a comeback. … Don’t look now, but Mike Babcock’s Edmonton Oilers are in first-place in the NHL’s Pacific Division. … A man’s greatest strength is also his greatest weakness. … Michael Gonzalez has long supported hosting a Latino Night at Ross Wells Park. Can we make that happen this year?? … The CFL has moved up the start times of the Division Semifinals on October 31 to accommodate trick or treaters. No foolin’!

Y’er welcome,
RP

(For Moose Jaw sporting tips and scoops, email Rod at pedersenmedia@outlook.com)