Joey Payeur
The days of SIJHL opponents being in heavier rotation than a Madonna video on MTV in the 1980s may be starting to reach their end.
Fort Frances Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan is encouraged with news Friday of a conditional franchise being granted by the league to Thief River Falls, Mn. for the start of next season.
“It’s a huge step in the right direction for the league,” Strachan said about the SIJHL moving from five teams to six.
And there’s a good possibility of it growing to seven given recent reports indicating the league is on track to add a franchise in Kenora this fall.
“Expansion is something we’ve really needed,” stressed Strachan.
“I hope it’s not the only new team next season.”
The league’s board of governors voted unanimously to award the Thief River Falls franchise—contingent on approval by Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League, as well as an arena lease agreement between the team and the City of Thief River Falls.
The franchise already was approved by USA Hockey during its annual winter meeting Jan. 15 in Orlando, Fla.
“We are extremely excited to bring Junior ‘A’ hockey to the great community of Thief River Falls and the beautiful Ralph Engelstad Arena,” SIJHL Commissioner Bryan Graham said in a press release.
“The franchise has a solid ownership group made up of some very familiar names to hockey fans of Thief River Falls and the surrounding area,” he continued.
Among those overseeing the new team are former NHL player and current Thief River Falls high school boys’ head coach Tim Berglund, along with Northern State Bank president Dave Beito and former WCHA official Tom Goddard.
The most intriguing member of the ownership group is Kevin McCallum of Thunder Bay, who at last report was heading the expansion team being targeted for Kenora.
That team likely would have begun play this season except for the renovations being done on the Keewatin Arena, which left the Kenora Recreation Centre not enough ice time to fit in a roughly 30-game home schedule for a Junior ‘A’ squad.
“I thank the ownership group for stepping up,” Strachan said in regards to those running what will be a second SIJHL team from Minnesota, joining the Iron Rangers (Hoyt Lakes).
“I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that the CJHL and Hockey Canada end up giving their approval,” he added.
Meanwhile, the newest addition to the SIJHL will have the added attraction of playing its home games in the 3,593-seat Ralph Engelstad facility.
“Having them play in the Ralph Engelstad . . . it’s going to be tough for us to recruit U.S. kids,” Strachan chuckled only half-jokingly.
Fort Frances native Nolan Ross, in his final year of junior eligibility, said the expansion to Thief River Falls only can help the future of the SIJHL.
“I think it’s great for the league if you can keep expanding,” he remarked.
