Winnipeg Warriors (minor pro)

The Winnipeg Warriors were a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Several different teams used the "Warriors" name in Winnipeg throughout hockey history, with varying affiliations and league memberships. This entry primarily refers to the Warriors team that played in the Western Hockey League (WHL) – not the major junior league of the same name today, but a previous iteration that operated as a professional league.

This WHL Warriors team existed from 1955 to 1961. They played their home games at the Winnipeg Amphitheatre. The Warriors were notable for competing against other Western Canadian cities with established hockey histories, and for providing a stepping stone for players aiming for the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was owned by Ben Hatskin, who later became involved with the World Hockey Association's Winnipeg Jets.

During their relatively short existence, the Warriors were a competitive team, reaching the WHL finals multiple times. They were known for their strong goaltending and physical style of play. Players who spent time with the Warriors included several who went on to have NHL careers.

The WHL Warriors folded in 1961, due to financial difficulties and the challenges of competing with larger markets. The departure of the Warriors left a void in Winnipeg's professional hockey scene until the arrival of the Winnipeg Jets in 1972. The legacy of the Warriors remains a part of Winnipeg's rich hockey history, representing a period of minor professional hockey in the city.