Staff
The group staging an effort to save Junior ‘A’ hockey in Fort Frances is hosting a meeting this Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Adventure Inn to gauge interest.
Fort Frances Jr. Sabres’ coach Wayne Strachan and Grant Perreault, the team’s director of scouting, are spearheading an attempt to run the team as a locally-based, not-for-profit operation.
The effort was hatched after an attempted sale of the franchise to an unnamed buyer from its original Thunder Bay owners, Scott and Carolyn Kellaway, fell through.
Strachan said a deal with the Kellaways is in the works, but also stressed the need for substantial support from the community before they can expect to proceed.
“The Kellaways are co-operating to get the franchise in Fort Frances’ hands,” Strachan noted.
“We have to forget about the past and look towards what the future can be with a junior team,” he stressed.
Strachan said the plan is to use a similar template to what got fellow SIJHL franchises, the Sioux Lookout Flyers and Dryden Ice Dogs, on solid footing.
“If we are truly ‘Hockeytown Northwestern Ontario,’ this meeting will prove it, I believe,” he remarked. “Both Sioux Lookout and Dryden operate as community-sponsored teams, why can’t Fort Frances?
“It is going to take a big effort and we don’t have a lot of time, but Sioux Lookout saved their team in less than two weeks at a town meeting,” Strachan noted.
“The businesses we have talked to, and people around town that have responded, seem to be on board and believe with a town effort this could work.”
The team will need to submit the proper paperwork to the SIJHL and Hockey Northwestern Ontario branch offices by Sept. 1 in order to be eligible.
The next task would be to put together a roster, though Strachan said three-five local players could be ready to suit up and another 15-20 could be brought in within the next week or two.
“If this is going to go, and we should see from [Sunday’s] meeting, [then] camp would open Sept. 2,” Strachan said.
“We have players, and teams are willing to help and send players here to get us started,” he added.
The Sabres are scheduled to open their third SIJHL season on Sept. 17 against the defending champion Fort William North Stars.
All fans, potential sponsors, town administration, and members of the public are invited to attend and have their voices heard.
