KENORA — The Superior International Junior Hockey League has confirmed long-awaited expansion to Kenora.
The Islanders are hoping to start play in time for the 2023-24 season, but must clear a number of hurdles, including securing the necessary ice time.
Islanders owner Jack Dawson said he’s confident a solution is there for the taking.
“We’re still very-much in that process,” he said in a statement issued by the league on Friday. “We’ve had some encouraging and productive communications with Kenora elected officials and administration that are ongoing,” Dawson said, acknowledging the team may have to play some of its games outside of Kenora, due to a lack of available ice.
“It’s not an ‘all-or-nothing’ proposition. We’re optimistic we’ll be able to demonstrate an ability to play at least some of our schedule out of the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre in Kenora without any disruption to other user groups as we work towards a full schedule there in time for the 2024-25 season.
“In the meantime, we’ve been humbled by the support we’ve received from nearby communities such as Vermillion Bay. We have an open invitation from the elected officials there to play at their Woodland Arena for which we’re grateful.”
Earlier this year, the City of Kenora announced the Islanders would not be provided ice times, after concerns were raised by community groups, arena users and city officials. The city was also seeking more time to determine the impact the addition of a Junior A team would have on the programming at either the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre of the Bowman Electric Keewatin Memorial Arena.
A team representative appeared before Kenora city council this week, asking for support.
The SIJHL has been working for several years to bring a team to Kenora and the addition of the Islanders makes it an eight team circuit, joining the Kam River Fighting Walleye, the Thunder Bay North Stars, the Fort Frances Lakers, the Red Lake Miners, the Dryden Ice Dogs, the Sioux Lookout Bombers and the Wisconsin Lumberjacks.
Dawson said he chose the Islanders nickname as a tribute to the Kenora area.
“It was suggested to me by a longtime friend, Trevor Iserhoff and resonated with me immediately. It’s one of the things the area is well-known for,” said Dawson. “We’re grateful to live on the big lake. It drives the recreation and economic engines of our part of the province and was an obvious choice as the identity of our team.”
The team also considered the Thistles, a name with historic connections in the community, including the 1907 Stanley Cup-winning team of the same name.
SIJHL commissioner Darrin Nicholas, who welcomed Sioux Lookout back into fold this past season, said he’s excited to bring Kenora into the mix this season.
“It’s no secret that the Kenora market has been a glaring omission from the SIJHL’s footprint since the league’s inception. It’s actually a bit of a surreal experience to finally be on the precipice of dropping the puck. Full credit to Jack Dawson and his team for their commitment, vision and perseverance in getting it to this point. Our Board of Governors couldn’t be happier to welcome the Islanders to the SIJHL,” Nicholas said, in a release issued by the league.
