The Triangle Hockey League has announced plans to fold ahead of the 2020-21 season.
At a recent league meeting the official decision was made after discussion and voting amongst teams and executives.
The Triangle Hockey League cup, in honour of former league president Emile Balogh, was given back to his family in Kipling, SK in order to preserve the important piece of history.
Those at the meeting tried to present ideas for a new league, but there are not enough teams interested at the moment.
According to icehockey.fandom.com, “The Triangle Hockey League is a senior hockey league that is based in Saskatchewan and started in 1965-66.”
Organizing the senior league is more difficult each year. Players are committed to the demand of their jobs and therefore miss chunks of time throughout the season, the referees have issues getting to certain locations and teams are looking for greener pastures elsewhere.
Last year the Langenburg Warriors headed to the North Central Hockey League to face other local teams like the Russell Rams.
Also last year, the Rocanville Tigers requested a one year leave of absence with the hopes of icing a team later on.
Those at the meeting last Saturday mentioned they are unsure of where the league is heading in the future, but the folding of the league has been rumoured for some time now.
Last season, the Theodore Buffalos senior hockey team made the unprecedented move to forfeit the fourth and deciding game of their Triangle Hockey League (THL) playoff series against the Ochapowace Thunder based on the safety of their players.
A tweet by the Theodore & District Recreation Board (@TheodoreDRB) on March 7 read, “Due to final minutes of last nights hockey game The Theodore Buffalos are cancelling the game tonight in Theodore and forfeiting the series in order to maintain and protect our players safety.”
According to Donovan Maess with the University of a Regina School of Journalism, “The Buffalos live streamed game three on their Facebook page. A play in-front of the net late in the game led to Thunder goaltender, Dustin Bear, being injured. He was favouring his lower body. Later in the game, a Buffalos defenseman circled the net and a Thunder forechecker made a large hit causing the Buffalos player’s helmet to come off. The player was injured. There was no penalty on either play.”
There may be various factors that played a role in the closure of the THL.
One factor that keeps the hope of a league alive is the fan support.
Senior hockey teams fuel our local rinks on cold winter nights. Being able to watch and cheer on local organizations is a tremendous asset to the municipalities fortunate enough to field a team. When the dust settles, let’s hope teams may find a way to continue their history of excellence.
Triangle Hockey League
Champions Since 2000
2000-01– Churchbridge Imperials
2001-02– Moosomin Rangers
2002-03– Ochapowace Thunder
2003-04– Langenburg Warriors
2004-05– Rocanville Tigers
2005-06– Esterhazy Flyers
2006-07– Esterhazy Flyers
2007-08– Rocanville Tigers
2008-09– Langenburg Warriors
2009-10– Esterhazy Flyers
2010-11– Langenburg Warriors
2011-12– Esterhazy Flyers
2012-13– Theodore Buffalos
2013-14– Esterhazy Flyers
2014-15– Rocanville Tigers
2015-16– Ochapowace Thunder
2016-17– Rocanville Tigers
2017-18– Rocanville Tigers
2018-19– Rocanville Tigers
2019-20– Playoffs cancelled prior to the start of the final due to the COVID-19 epidemic. No winner declared.
Teams involved in the THL last season include: The Bredenbury Cougars, Esterhazy Flyers, Hudson Bay Hunters, Ochapowace Thunder and Theodore Buffalos.