Wednesday, January 23, 2013

SIJHL revokes Duluth Clydesdales franchise

Press Release

THUNDER BAY, Ont. -- The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday that the SIJHL board of governors has voted to revoke the Duluth Clydesdales member franchise, effective immediately.

The SIJHL Board made the decision based on a number of determining factors, including Duluth not being able to ice enough players on a consistent basis for the remainder of the season.

“It’s extremely unfortunate that this step has been taken, but we must take into account that with the Clydesdales having postponed or forfeited a number of games already and an uncertainty of whether they would be able to have enough players on a consistent basis moving forward, it is in the best interest of player safety and the league as a whole that this decision has been made,” stated SIJHL President/Commissioner Ron Whitehead.

“Duluth is a great hockey market and the success of our two other Minnesota-based organizations this season bodes well for the league,” added Whitehead. “We certainly look forward to working with the people in Duluth in an effort to reestablish a franchise there in the not too distant future.”

Despite this decision the league is looking forward to the remainder of the regular season and upcoming playoffs.

“Certainly we’ve had a couple setbacks this season, but we’ve also had some major positives as well,” offered Whitehead.

“The Minnesota Wilderness is currently the No. 2 team overall in the entire CJHL; the Minnesota Iron Rangers have done a great job getting things turned around there while Dryden, Fort Frances and Thunder Bay remain ultra-competitive with each member group having solid ownership, management and coaching staffs in place.”

An announcement on the remaining games in the regular season that were to have involved Duluth will be made once that is finalized.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

No comments: