The Nelson Leafs are yet another hockey team reporting money problems. At their AGM a few weeks ago they said the cost of running their franchise went up $100,000 in the last four years... although revenue did move up $80,000 it’s still not good. And Nelson like 100 Mile Fernie Kimberley and Revelstoke do very well at the gate.
Even worse for the fans in general, the Leafs say the return of inter-conference games and resulting longer schedule cost them $72,378. You can read Tyler Harper’s story here
- It would be horrible to see the league go back to conference only games like we had a few seasons ago. But it’s probably heading that way. It wasn’t that long ago there was semi serious talk of splitting the KIJHL into two leagues and have two reps at the Cyclone Taylor Cup.
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I missed the Ghostrider AGM this year, the first time since 1992. But found out they made around $8000 plus paid off some of their debt incurred when they had to play out of Sparwood a couple of years ago. Just not enough fans in Sparwood.
- But overall I would say the Ghostriders did well enough. Getting rid of the Showcase and a few tweaks of the schedule this season could keep the Riders heads above water, however they still need more billets and are losing volunteers so it’s not perfect.
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The Winnipeg Blues of the Jr A MJHL are charging players up to $12000 to play Jr A. The price went up from $3000 last year because... get this, they are now owned by the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice who you’ll remember just left Cranbrook in a messy divorce. You could learn to hate them....
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The Coaching washing machine
The Merritt Centennials of the JR A BCHL lost longtime head coach Joe Martin (formerly with Creston) this season. He left because Merritt has money problems and can’t hire a HC for more than a year because they don’t know if they will even be around next season. So Martin went to Alberni Valley where he will join another CVT coach Jeff Dubios.
AND Former Rider Coach Barry Wolff who was with the Swan Valley Stampeders last year is going to Merritt.
- Could Merritt be the team the City of Cranbrook has plans for? They reportedly didn’t want an AJHL team or a KIJHL team, story by David Opinko.
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Still no word on if the media friendly Larry Martel is staying on as the new League Commissioner, and I have not seen any ad for a Commissioner either. Although I have heard a few names out there some of them are under contract so no nothing here.
But we do know there is a new league structure and an advertisement for a Communications Police Man, I mean Manager. Hopefully the new Comish is the one who picks the new Twitter Cop. Kinda like how a coach picks his assistants. But what do I know.
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The New League Office Bosses from the AGM Report
The last piece of business at the AGM saw the new League Steering committee get voted in as part of the new governance. Tom Bachynski (100 Mile House) will be the new Chairman of the Board. Dean Keller (NOK Knights), Brett Holt (CV Rockies) and Jeff Wright (Nelson Leafs) will be directors and help the new the office adminstration run the league going forward.
Jim Harrington will stay on a Vice-Chairman and will look after discipline. Kathy Merkel will step in as Executive Assistant for the league office. Larry Martel was hired as the League's first Commissioner by the Chairman of the Board to oversee all hockey business.
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