The Superior International Junior Hockey League is down to six teams.
The Thief River Falls Norskies have suspended operations for the remainder of this season.
The team has been plagued by a shortage of players all year and at times were barely able to ice the minimum roster to even play.
The pause of organized sports in Ontario due to COVID also played a factor.
The league is working with team officials to ensure a return for next season.
The SIJHL campaign is scheduled to resume Friday and the league is now working on a new schedule and a modified playoff format.
Commissioner Darrin Nicholas says, “It’s never a good day to have to announce news such as this. I feel for the players, staff, team administrators and the faithful Norskie fans in Thief River Falls. The ‘Mini Ralph’ remains one of the best Junior A hockey building in the continent. The SIJHL fully intends to be dropping the puck for another season of Norskie hockey in the fall and will work tirelessly to see that transpire.”
Nicholas adds, “I want to specifically acknowledge the character of the young men that hung in with the Norskies right until the end. The loyalty you have shown your teammates, the Norskies fans and the City of Thief River Falls is admirable, and a quality that will serve you well in your post-hockey endeavours.”
He notes says the league will do a deeper dive into the circumstances that led to temporary departure of the team.
“Of course, we want to understand how the club ended up in the position it did. We have another US-based team in our league (Wisconsin Lumberjacks), plus there are US members of other CJHL leagues that faced very similar challenges yet managed to emerge with much different outcomes. So, it would be foolish to suggest there are no lessons to be learned, but our immediate priority is to facilitate these young athletes finding a home for the remainder of the season,” says Nicholas.
