Superior International Junior Hockey League

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Superior International Junior
Hockey League
Current season or competition:
2012–13 SIJHL season
Superior International Junior A.jpg
Region(s) Northwestern Ontario
Minnesota
Commissioner Ron Whitehead
Referee-in-Chief Gary Nistico
Founded 2001
No. of teams 5
Associated Title(s) Royal Bank Cup (National Championship)
Dudley Hewitt Cup (Central Championship)
Recent Champions Minnesota Wilderness (2013)
Headquarters Thunder Bay, Ontario
Website SIJHL

The Superior International Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada. The winner of the SIJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup then moves on to compete for the Royal Bank Cup.[1]

Contents

History [edit]

Background [edit]

North Stars Sean Bassingthwaite battles with Fort Frances player (2008)

Although founded in 2001, the SIJHL is another chapter in a long history of Thunder Bay Junior "A" Hockey. The Fort William War Veterans were the first representatives of the Thunder Bay region, winning the 1922 Memorial Cup as Canadian National Junior "A" Champions.[2] Although there is not abundant information on the subject, the Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League may date back to the War Veterans, and existed until 1980. From 1980 until 2000, the region (Hockey Northwestern Ontario) was represented by a single team at the Junior "A" level—the Thunder Bay Flyers. The Flyers played their regular season games in the United States Hockey League, America's Tier I of Junior Hockey, and returned to Canada for the playoffs. The Flyers won the Dudley Hewitt Cup as Central Canadian Junior Champions in 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1995.[3] The Flyers were also National Champions in 1989 and 1992, winning the Centennial Cup.[4] The Flyers folded after the 1999-2000 USHL Season.[5]

Diesels captain Reilly Miller (2007)

The Northwestern Ontario region has also been well represented in the past in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. From 1968 until 1982, the city of Kenora, Ontario was represented by the Kenora Muskies/Thistles and in the mid-1980s,[6] Thunder Bay had an entry with the Thunder Bay Hornets.[7]

The folding of the Thunder Bay Flyers opened the way for a rebirth of Junior "A" hockey in the Thunder Bay region. The league came back to life under the "Superior International" label in 2001 with 5 teams, including the Thunder Bay Wolves (now the Fort William North Stars), the Nipigon Featherman Hawks (now the Thunder Bay Bearcats), the Fort Frances Borderland Thunder, Dryden Ice Dogs, and the Thunder Bay Bulldogs.[8]

2006 Dudley Hewitt Cup [edit]

In 2006, the Fort William North Stars won the Dudley Hewitt Cup with a 7-6 overtime win over the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Sudbury Jr. Wolves to earn the team and the league its first regional title and its first shot at the national title at the 2006 Royal Bank Cup.[9] The North Stars would eventually be eliminated in the Royal Bank Cup semi-final in Brampton, Ontario with a 3-2 overtime loss to the British Columbia Hockey League's Kyle Turris and the Burnaby Express.

Potential Markets [edit]

There are numerous potential markets in Northern Ontario like Kenora, Red Lake, Ignace, Atikokan, Geraldton, and Wawa yet to be explored by the SIJHL. League chairman Ron Whitehead has also spoken about the potential for expansion into the United States,[10] with markets such as nearby Warroad and other towns throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin offering notable potential for growth in the SIJHL.[11]

Expansion East and Retraction [edit]

The presence of the SIJHL in Northwestern Ontario marks the first time since the 1970s that the region has effectively supported a junior hockey league. In the mid-2000s, the SIJHL expanded East of Thunder Bay with the Schreiber Diesels[12] and Marathon Renegades.[13] A Wawa, Ontario franchise was also in the works, but never came to fruition.[14]

2011 Action - Fort Frances vs. Sioux Lookout

On December 17, 2007, it was announced that the Schreiber Diesels folded mid-season, without warning. The organization claimed disappointment in the season's fan support, but also said it was not only reason for the cessation of play.[15] On December 21, the team was bought by a group of local fans in an effort to keep the Diesels alive.[16] But with good came the ugly. The Marathon Renegades at one point were as high as third place in the SIJHL this season, but after 37 games played were forced to resign from the rest of the 2007-08 campaign. Their problems resulted from weeks of playing with just over two lines of players. Injuries and early defections were blamed for this. Al Cresswell, team president, claimed that the shortage of players had become a health risk. The Renegades have not suspended operations, but have pulled out of the season.[17]

Although the 2008-09 season did not see a return to Marathon, the SIJHL did add the Sioux Lookout Flyers.[18] In the 2008 off-season, the Thunder Bay Bulldogs elected to retract to embolden the Thunder Bay Bearcats.[19] Despite a strong year from the Bearcats and the Schreiber Diesels, both teams elected to cease operation in the summer of 2009. The Fort Frances Jr. Sabres claimed that they would be back for 2009-10, but their owners sold the rights to their players to teams across Canada. In a last-ditch effort, the town of Fort Frances bought the team and renamed them the Fort Frances Lakers, but were forced to find all new players due to the actions of the previous ownership. The Thunder Bay Wolverines elected to apply for promotion to the SIJHL for 2009-10 fresh off of their silver medal performance at the Keystone Cup Canadian Jr. B Championships.[20][21] Back up to five teams, the SIJHL also made a 20-game interleague setup with the Minnesota Junior Hockey League's Wisconsin Mustangs to diversify the league's competition.[22]

10th Season and onward [edit]

Goalie fight between Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout (2011)

The 2010-11 season will be the tenth season of the SIJHL. Marking its tenth season, the SIJHL received offers for expansion by two American teams: Duluth and Spooner.

In June, the Thunder Bay Wolverines unceremoniously pulled out of the SIJHL.[23] A few days later USA Hockey rejected the transfer bid by the Wisconsin Mustangs to join the SIJHL and the expansion bid of the potential of Duluth, Minnesota despite approval by Hockey Canada and the SIJHL. The league sat at four teams.[24] The two teams appealed the decision and won their appeal, officially giving the league six teams and making the league truly an international league.[25]

The Fort William North Stars were dominant early in 2010-11, but due to a financial hiccup that lead to an ownership and name change (Thunder Bay North Stars), the Wisconsin Wilderness jumped into the lead mid-season and never looked back. The Wilderness won their first season and playoff title in their first season of play in the league.

In the Summer of 2011, the SIJHL elected to expand with the Iron Range Ironheads with the permission of USA Hockey and Hockey Minnesota. All that awaited was an "okay" from the USA Hockey Council -- which like 2009-10 was denied. The decision was appealed and on July 12, 2011 expansion was allowed by USA Hockey as well as the continuation of the Duluth and Spooner franchises.

The teams [edit]

2010-11 Team Locations in Northwestern Ontario
Team Joined Centre Arena
Dryden Ice Dogs 2001 Dryden, Ontario Dryden Memorial Arena
Ear Falls Eagles 2013 Ear Falls, Ontario Ear Falls Arena
Fort Frances Lakers 2007 Fort Frances, Ontario Fort Frances Memorial Sports Center
Minnesota Iron Rangers 2011 Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota Hoyt Lakes Arena
Minnesota Wilderness 2010 Cloquet, Minnesota Cloquet Area Recreation Center
Thunder Bay North Stars 2001 Thunder Bay, Ontario Fort William Gardens

Bill Salonen Cup Champions [edit]

Bill Salonen Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup - Regional Championship, competed for by SIJHL champions since 2001. Won in 2006.

The winners of the SIJHL Playoffs are awarded the Bill Salonen Cup. Although the Jack Adams Trophy is supposed to be awarded to the branch Junior A champion, Hockey Northwestern Ontario will not bring it out unless there are two leagues vying for the Branch Championship.[26]

Year Champion Finalist
2002 Dryden Ice Dogs Fort Frances Borderland Thunder
2003 Fort Frances Borderland Thunder Thunder Bay Bulldogs
2004 Fort William North Stars Dryden Ice Dogs
2005 Fort William North Stars Fort Frances Borderland Thunder
2006 Fort William North Stars Dryden Ice Dogs
2007 Schreiber Diesels Fort William North Stars
2008 Dryden Ice Dogs Fort William North Stars
2009 Fort William North Stars Thunder Bay Bearcats
2010 Fort William North Stars Dryden Ice Dogs
2011 Wisconsin Wilderness Dryden Ice Dogs
2012 Wisconsin Wilderness Fort Frances Lakers
2013 Minnesota Wilderness Fort Frances Lakers

Dudley Hewitt Cup Central Canada Championships [edit]

Year Champion Finalist Host
2006 Fort William North Stars Sudbury Jr. Wolves (NOJHL) Thunder Bay, Ontario
2013 Minnesota Wilderness St. Michael's Buzzers (OJHL) North Bay, Ontario

Former Member Teams [edit]

Former Teams
Team Centre Joined Left Status
Duluth Clydesdales Duluth, Minnesota 2010 2013 Suspended from play
Fort Frances Borderland Thunder Fort Frances, Ontario 2001 2005 Folded
Marathon Renegades Marathon, Ontario 2006 2008 Folded
Schreiber Diesels Schreiber, Ontario 2005 2009 Folded
Sioux Lookout Flyers Sioux Lookout, Ontario 2008 2012 Folded
Thunder Bay Bearcats Thunder Bay, Ontario 2001 2009 Folded
Thunder Bay Bulldogs Thunder Bay, Ontario 2001 2008 Merged w/ Bearcats
Thunder Bay Wolverines Thunder Bay, Ontario 2009 2010 Folded

Former Interleague Teams [edit]

Team Records [edit]

  • Best Winning Record:
2005-06 Fort William North Stars - 50-2-0-0
  • Most Goals For in One Season:
2005-06 Fort William North Stars - 353 Goals For
  • Least Goals Against in One Season:
2004-05 Fort William North Stars - 66 Goals Against
  • Worst Winning Record:
2008-09 Sioux Lookout Flyers - 2-46-0-2
  • Least Goals For in One Season:
2004-05 Thunder Bay Bulldogs - 72 Goals For
  • Most Goals Against in One Season:
2006-07 Marathon Renegades - 404 Goals Against

Timeline of Teams in the SIJHL [edit]

Line brawl breaks out between Sabres and Ice Dogs (2007)
  • 2001 - SIJHL is founded with five teams: Fort Frances Borderland Thunder, Featherman Hawks, Thunder Bay Wolves, Dryden Ice Dogs, and Thunder Bay Bulldogs; as well as two interleague teams: Northwest Wisconsin Knights and Iron Range Yellow Jackets[27]
  • 2002 - Thunder Bay Wolves become Fort William Wolves[28]
  • 2002 - Featherman Hawks become Nipigon Golden Hawks
  • 2002 - Iron Range Yellow Jackets break off interlock
  • 2003 - Nipigon Golden Hawks move to Thunder Bay and become K&A Golden Hawks
  • 2003 - Fort William Wolves become Fort William North Stars[29]
  • 2003 - Northwest Wisconsin Knights break off interlock
  • 2005 - Schreiber Diesels join league[30]
  • 2005 - Fort Frances Borderland Thunder leaves league[31]
  • 2005 - MSU-Bottineau Lumberjacks enter into interlocking schedules
  • 2006 - Marathon Renegades join league[32]
  • 2006 - Thunder Bay Golden Hawks become Thunder Bay Bearcats[33]
  • 2006 - MSU-Bottineau Lumberjacks break off interlock
  • 2007 - Fort Frances Jr. Sabres join league[34]
  • 2007 - Marathon Renegades withdraw from league mid-season (January)[35]
  • 2008 - Sioux Lookout Flyers join league[36]
  • 2008 - Thunder Bay Bulldogs merge into Thunder Bay Bearcats[37]
  • 2009 - Schreiber Diesels leave league[38]
  • 2009 - Thunder Bay Bearcats leave league[39]
  • 2009 - Fort Frances Jr. Sabres are renamed Fort Frances Lakers[40]
  • 2009 - Thunder Bay Wolverines join league from Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey League[41]
  • 2009 - Wisconsin Mustangs enter into interlocking schedule[42]
  • 2010 - Thunder Bay Wolverines leave league[43]
  • 2010 - Wisconsin Wilderness (formerly Mustangs) join league from Minnesota Junior Hockey League[44]
  • 2010 - Duluth Clydesdales join league[45]
  • 2011 - Iron Range Ironheads join league[46]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ http://huntsvilleotters.pointstreaksites.com/view/huntsvilleotters/dudley-hewitt-cup-2011
  2. ^ http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashmemorialcup.htm
  3. ^ http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/hockey/junior/dudleyhewittcup.html
  4. ^ http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/hockey/junior/royalbankcup.html
  5. ^ http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/664/ushlflyers_write_final_chapter/
  6. ^ http://www.officialgamepuck.com/TownIndex/Canadian/OntarioTowns/KenoraThistles.htm
  7. ^ http://www.officialgamepuck.com/TownIndex/Canadian/OntarioTowns/ThunderBayHornets.htm
  8. ^ Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, March 2002.
  9. ^ http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/20918/la_id/1.htm
  10. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/81196
  11. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/81196
  12. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/73037
  13. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/76423
  14. ^ http://www.ontariohockey.com/story.aspx?c=33&id=1280
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ [2]
  17. ^ [3]
  18. ^ http://www.ontariohockey.com/story.aspx?c=33&id=1280
  19. ^ http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=125117
  20. ^ http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/Default.asp?u=kanda&s=hockey&t=c
  21. ^ http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/59868/SIJHL-ups-its-roster
  22. ^ http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/standings.html?leagueid=698&seasonid=4666
  23. ^ http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local_sports.php?id=272668
  24. ^ http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local_sports.php?id=272668
  25. ^ http://www.tbnewswatch.com/sports/100919/Hockey-USA-allows-American-teams-to-join-SIJHL
  26. ^ Hockey Northwestern Ontario Handbook. http://www.hockeyhno.com/
  27. ^ Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, March 2002.
  28. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/63355
  29. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/63355
  30. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/73037
  31. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/71472
  32. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/76423
  33. ^ http://www.bearcats.ca/
  34. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/81165
  35. ^ http://www.ontariohockey.com/story.aspx?c=33&id=1280
  36. ^ http://sijhl.pointstreaksites.com/files/uploaded_documents/130/SIJHL_This_Week_1-090915.pdf
  37. ^ http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=125117
  38. ^ http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/59868/SIJHL-ups-its-roster
  39. ^ http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/59868/SIJHL-ups-its-roster
  40. ^ http://www.fftimes.com/node/227336
  41. ^ http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/59868/SIJHL-ups-its-roster
  42. ^ http://sijhl.pointstreaksites.com/files/uploaded_documents/130/SIJHL_This_Week_1-090915.pdf
  43. ^ http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local_sports.php?id=272668
  44. ^ http://www.tbnewswatch.com/sports/100919/Hockey-USA-allows-American-teams-to-join-SIJHL
  45. ^ http://www.tbnewswatch.com/sports/100919/Hockey-USA-allows-American-teams-to-join-SIJHL
  46. ^ http://fftimes.com/node/244156

External links [edit]

Superior International Junior Hockey League
Current Teams
Former Teams
History
Seasons
Members and championships of the Canadian Junior Hockey League
Dudley Hewitt Cup
Fred Page Cup
Western Canada Cup
Royal Bank Cup
WJAC
History
Junior ice hockey leagues in North America
Canada
Major Junior
Junior A
Junior B
Junior C
Independent
United States
Tier I
Tier II
Tier III
Independent
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