MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Warriors Hockey Club honoured January’s Special Olympian of the Month, Carl Paulhus, during a recent match against the Prince Albert Raiders.
Despite , the night still belonged to Paulhus who was recognized just before the start of the game.
“I went out to centre ice and I dropped the puck,” Paulhus recalled. “That was good because it’s good to get recognized… and it’s also good to put awareness on Special Olympics in general.
“It shows that any athlete can do anything, and it doesn’t have to be in one specific sport,” he added. “Any athlete, if they’re willing to try hard and do what it takes, can certainly become Athlete of the Month as well.”
Since 2015, the Moose Jaw Warriors, in partnership with WINMAR Property Restoration Specialists, have celebrated local Special Olympians through the WINMAR Special Olympics Athlete of the Month program.
Each month during the regular hockey season, one athlete is selected and honoured during a Warrior’s home game, given a personalized jersey, and asked to participate in a ceremonial faceoff.
Launched by former Warriors' captain Brett Howden to raise awareness for Special Olympics Moose Jaw, the program celebrates their achievements and also strengthens the hockey team’s bond with the community.
Paulhus said he was likely chosen because of his overall involvement with Special Olympics.
He has been with the Special Olympics program for as long as he can remember and has played in a wide range of sports, including bocce, bowling, floor hockey, and golf. His goal for 2025 is to try his hand at coaching.
“My goal is to become a coach for Special Olympics bowling, and… (I’m) not stepping away from competing, but (I would like to try) coaching (and) maybe help out the next round of athletes.”
The Special Olympics program has provided a life-changing experience throughout his career.
“It’s done me very well,” he said. “Of course, I’m part of the Moose Jaw Special Olympics board, and I’m also the ambassador for Moose Jaw’s athletes as well. So, that kind of puts stuff in perspective (regarding) what it takes to achieve your dream of becoming an Athlete of the Month.”
When asked about his proudest moment in the program, Paulhus cited two other memorable experiences.
“My proudest moment was helping develop and get more athletes involved in bowling, and getting more coaches and volunteers to come out.
“My other (recent) accomplishment was (winning) gold at a bocce ball tournament in Regina,” he added, referring to the tournament held at the Canada Games Athletic Complex on July 13, 2024.
Paulhus also competed in a bocce ball tournament back in 2017 during the Special Olympics Saskatchewan Summer Games held in Moose Jaw and MCed the 2022 SaskTel Awards Celebration.
Paulhus said he was thrilled to be recognized for his work and wished to extend his thanks to the Moose Jaw Warriors, fellow athletes, and to the community.
“I just want to say it’s always an honour when the Moose Jaw Warriors get together with Special Olympics and honour athletes of the month, and then come out and play floor hockey with us,” he said in his concluding remarks. “I take a big honour in that.
“I hope that every athlete in Moose Jaw reads this, (so) they know that they can do what they can to become Athlete of the Month (too). It doesn’t matter what sport you’re (playing), as long as you do good in it and have a good attitude.”
To learn more about Special Olympics Moose Jaw call 306-780-9247 or visit or ‘’ on Facebook.
