Ryan Smyth's banner is unveiled during the special ceremony prior to Friday's game between the Moose Jaw Warriors and Spokane Chiefs. (Photo: Stephen Simon / MJ Warriors)

It's been 20 years since Ryan Smyth played for the Moose Jaw Warriors, but there's connection is still there between the former player and the Warriors' faithful.

A packed house turned out on Friday night to see Smyth's number 28 be raised to the rafters at Mosaic Place as he became the fourth member of the Warriors' franchise to have his number retired in the team's 30-year history, joining Theo Fleury, Mike Keane and Kelly Buchberger.

“I look at those three other ones that are up there and those are guys that would do anything for their teams and that's what you try to represent as a person in life, not only the game of hockey,” said Smyth. “Mixed emotions because the career is on the end side of it, but very humbled and honoured to be in (this situation).”

Ryan Smyth joins James Gallo and Derek Kletzel on Country 100 after seeing his number raised to the rafters at Mosaic Place on Friday night.

Smyth received a standing ovation at the end of the half-hour ceremony to honour the player that went on to become known as “Captain Canada”. To many in Moose Jaw however, Smyth remains the younger player that brought fans out of their seats during three seasons with the Warriors.

Smyth said his three seasons in Moose Jaw helped shape him into the player and person that he became in his career.

“Looking back on the three years that I played here, I don't regret anything that has come about of being a Warrior,” said Smyth. “I had some great coaches, great teammates and it's something that I'll cherish forever. It's a great stepping stone to make yourself into an NHL player.”

It all began in the 1991-92 season when Smyth would get the chance to play two games with the Warriors. He would post 19 goals and 33 points in 64 games during his rookie season the next year.

Smyth's draft year in 1993-94 was when he really started to shine, scoring 50 goals and leading the team with 105 points in 72 games.

“Scoring 50 goals was a memorable (moment),” said Smyth. “I think we did it on the last game or two, so scoring 50 was pretty neat.”

Click here to view a photo gallery from the entire Ryan Smyth Jersey Retirement Day.

Moving away from home in Banff, Alberta to the prairies in Saskatchewan was a big change for Smyth at 15 years old when he joined the Caronport midget AAA team the season before playing for the Warriors.

“Anytime you're a young lad leaving home at 15, you've got to find that transition from boyhood to being a man and you need good mentors along the way, my coaches that I had here were that, and my teammates, you grow together” said Smyth. “I have some good friends in Caronport and Moose Jaw, so you maintain those friendships because they help you through difficult times and transitions, but this community means a lot.”

After leaving Moose Jaw is when Smyth really made his name, as he starred for 18 seasons in the National Hockey League, the majority with the Edmonton Oilers. He finally hung the skates up after last season and Smyth said it's been a tough transition into retirement.

“It's only been 7-8 months. The first few, 4-5 months, have been tough mentally, I'm not going to sit here and sugar coat it, you do something for so long and you take that away, it's almost like a loss or a death,” said Smyth. “Recently I've really enjoyed my family and getting to know them at a different level now.”

Smyth's love for his family, which includes wife Stacey – who's originally from Moose Jaw – and his four kids, is evident immediately upon meeting him. Smyth and his seven-year-old son, Alex, got the chance to take part in the Warriors' pre-game skate on Friday morning and he said getting to share this day with his family made it even more special.

“It was awesome being on the ice surface with those guys and how they treated not only myself, but my son,” said Smyth. “The organization of the Warriors has been first class not only to myself, but my family, they treated my wife and daughters to a spa and stuff like that, so it means a lot.”

While the playing days are over for Smyth, his passion for the game remains strong and further involvement with the sport could be around the corner.

“The best advice I got was take a year off and really digest every thing,” Smyth said. “I'd like to stay in the game most likely. The Oilers' organization has been great, saying 'Take your time and we know that you're there,' but right now I'm relaxing.”