2019-20 PLAYING SEASON. I want to remind all readers that this series of articles rating the junior hockey leagues in North America is based upon independent opinions and analysis of scouts throughout the United States and Canada. The league could do a better job at promoting itself and recruiting though. Its a small league, and some of the teams are hard to get to, but I was really happy I got to watch some players from the league. No matter what,” Tookenay vowed. The SIJHL says they plan to immediately begin a national search for a new commissioner, led by an internal hiring committee. The Kenora Thistles U18AAA’s and the Thunder Bay Kings U18AAA’s have accepted an invitation to participate in the SIJHL schedule as a means of providing all operating SIJHL teams […] Edged out slightly by the volume of players to volume of teams and a few other criteria, the MJHL is seen as been a fast and physical league that merely had a slightly down year in promotions or commitments. 6. If the two were to jump ship, that would leave only the three Thunder Bay-based teams in the SIJHL. Top players are legitimate top players. SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE. The Superior International Junior Hockey League announced on December 5 that both the Kenora Thistles and Thunder Bay Kings U18 squads w [...] Fighting Walleye Win the Battle, North Stars Win the War. “We’re still working at it and we’re very optimistic about being able to do this,” he said. The seven teams of the SIJHL played 56-game schedules. Even still the six team league was responsible for twelve promotions or commitments. “If I was a billionaire, we would not be talking about this. The Blaine showcase is a site to behold for any scout. Come February, the top teams of the league will play down for the Bill Salonen Cup, the SIJHL championship. Coaching is great and last year scouting was definitely on the rise. Thunder Bay – SPORTS – The Superior International Junior Hockey League is announcing the inclusion of guest teams to round out their 2020-21 regular season schedule. “The AJ is a great league, small enough for players to get noticed in, but big enough to keep players motivated about the teams they face off against. “So it was the old not in my backyard—‘Let’s expand, but not anywhere we’re at,’” explained Whitehead, who did admit the SIJHL has been behind in the expansion department. Scott Wrigley. Tookenay said the MJHL has more teams (11 in two divisions) compared to the five-team SIJHL, which would give fans more variety and, hence, put more bottoms in the seats. “We’re not bullying the league and neither is Dryden,” he stressed. Recent News. I watched some of the top teams, and they were every bit as good as some of the top teams from other leagues. The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League was a surprising tie with the Saskatchewan league. SIJHL announces leadership change Thunder Bay, Ont. “The MJ is a hidden jewel. Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors. Recent News. He admitted the Borderland Thunder has been quietly seeking membership in the MJHL for the past two years. EMAIL. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The SIJHL’s 2020-21 season will mark year 20 years of the league. The fourteen team QJAAAHL is known for being a a direct feeder to the QMJHL. “It is making it almost impossible to talk to anyone to put up the kind of dollars needed to expand,” he argued. “The talent in the league has gotten better, but in terms of the overall progression of the league, I don’t think it has at all,” argued Tookenay. Bringing the volume of teams down over a few years, has definitely concentrated the talent pool, and at the same time it has made scouting easier with less teams to watch.”. The Worlds Most Popular Source For Junior Hockey News. One franchise that did say “yes” was the Dryden Ice Dogs, who also are seeking membership into the MJHL and essentially are joined at the hip with the Thunder. The Superior International Junior Hockey League is the smallest of the Junior A leagues. Copyright Hockey Holdings Group SP ZO O 2020 © All rights reserved. Sanctioned by Hockey Canada and USA Hockey, teams in smaller cities struggled to recruit last year. But Whitehead contended the Thunder will be no better off in the 11-team MJHL than they are now with the SIJHL, citing travel times and costs as well as the fees needed to get a team up and running. Thistles, Ice Dogs affected by SIJHL's pause . “Contraction has worked for the league. “Best of luck to our Canadian partners and their respective clubs as they carry the torch for the league and fight for a championship.” The SIJHL schedule for the remainder of the 2020-21 season featuring the league’s 5 Canadian-based teams plus guest teams will be released in the coming days. On Tuesday, the Superior International Junior Hockey League … That’s fine. As first reported in last Thursday’s Daily Bulletin, the 12-man HNO board, which met Jan. 29, also nixed the request. The Thunder and Ice Dogs are looking to be a part of the MJHL for the 2005-06 season, but unlike the Rolling Stones, time is not on their side as the MJHL will set next season’s schedule by early June. The level of play was very good, and some of these coaches really know how to push players to NCAA programs. The Superior International Junior Hockey League is no exception. The AJHL was not too far behind the OJHL for the 2013-2014 season rankings. I like the league and its mixture of youth and experience. Leagues that consistently send it’s ex-players to the CHL / NCAA / CIS / ECHL ranks and beyond are generally pretty quality leagues. The SIJHL is one of 10 Junior ‘A’ Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a proud member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). Smaller and not as well known as the other leagues, the NOJHL is seen as a leader in player safety by many scouts and a league that is helping to innovate rule changes for all Canadian Junior Leagues and Teams. The issue I have is with a lack of parity in some cases. “The little Q is loaded with skill. Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations. The size of the league as in number of teams was also taken into account for depth of player talent throughout the league. The six teams of the SIJHL will play 50-game schedules. "We would like to thank Bryan Graham for his six years of service to the SIJHL and his many contributions to our league and the game of hockey," said Doug Lein, Chairman of The Board of Governors. That request was predictably denied, so the Thunder then took the next step and made their proposal to Hockey Northwestern Ontario. Douglas Lein. If you’re a top player in the league though, you’re going somewhere because you will stand out among the other players.”. “If those two teams were still in the league, I doubt that we’d be having this conversation,” Tookenay added. Thunder Bay – SPORTS – The Superior International Junior Hockey League is announcing today that the Thief River Falls Norskies and the Wisconsin Lumberjacks are pausing their activities for the 2020-21 SIJHL season due to restrictions arising from the COVID-19 global pandemic. Winners of the SIJHL playoffs compete for the Dudley Hewitt Cup against the winners of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. “We don’t want to be known as the people that killed the league, but what choice do we have?” asked Tookenay. Our attendance has dropped because you’re seeing the same show all the time,” reasoned Tookenay. “When you figure out the initiation fees to get into the league and the increased travel cost they are going to endure, I find it hard to believe that they will be any farther ahead by the end of the day,” said Whitehead. Dave Siciliano. “It’s also a matter of security,” said Tookenay. “The CCHL blew me away last year. Come February, the top teams of the league will play down for the Bill Salonen Cup, the SIJHL championship. Chairman of the Board of Governors. “Under the terms that we laid out for them, if they received the approval, then we will certainly take a look at their applications, but at this point I don’t know what the status is,” noted MJHL commissioner Kim Davis. Does anyone? Its also a great place for players not finishing their over age season in the QMJHL to end their careers on a high note before moving on to university. The SIJHL Board of Governors is excited about the future of the league and the fresh ideas and changes that will be made moving forward. “When we lost those teams, the league didn’t do anything about looking into the future,” he charged. Whitehead said the Thunder, currently owned by Couchiching First Nation, has a new group of owners ready with their cheque books—but that hinges solely on if the Thunder join the MJHL. The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League was a surprising tie with the Saskatchewan league. The 2011–12 SIJHL season is the 11th season of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). – Bryan Graham, who has served as the commissioner for the Superior International Junior Hockey League since 2014, has ended his term as league commissioner. The MJHL is Canada’ longest-running junior hockey league with 87 years of play. Phone: T.B.A. Twenty two teams were responsible for 160 promotions or commitments, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League was the clear runner up to the BCHL. “This could lead to the demise of the league, so for the health of the league, I don’t think anyone was about to vote that they [the Thunder] should leave,” SIJHL vice-president Ron Whitehead said of the league’s vote held earlier last month. By Gary Moskalyk, Special to the SIJHL. The SIJHL and its seven-member clubs take pride in providing the best development opportunities for players to advance on and off the ice. All around, I was happy in general.” The Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL)is a Junior 'A' hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Ontario plus the U.S. states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.The SIJHL is one of ten Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada. That’s changing now and its becoming a must watch league.”. THUNDER BAY, Ont.—The SIJHL announced last Wednesday its first and second all-star teams for the 2019-20 season. For a new team to join the MJHL, a $5,000 application fee must first be given. Come February, the top teams of the league played down for the Bill Salonen Cup, the SIJHL championship. There was a tie between the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. History. Eight teams were responsible for more than 30 promotions or commitments. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup then moves on to compete for the C… “The SIJHL is a good league, but they haven’t approached it the right way and they haven’t planned for the future of the league whereas other leagues in Canada do that,” he charged. After the fall of the Thunder Bay Flyers in 2001, the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) was founded. “You know when you go up to scout that you’re not going to see players that haven’t earned a roster spot. The SIJHL—and the Thunder—came into being in 2001. Players with the Dryden GM Ice Dogs and Kenora AAA Thistles have had their seasons stunted, as the Superior International Junior Hockey League announced a pause in their 2020-2021 schedule due to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns. So why does the Thunder want out of the SIJHL? Northwestern Ontario’s top junior hockey league plans to delay the start of its season by nearly two months. No, they’re a really good team. Bill Mosienko would be proud. Over that time the SIJHL boasts over 350 College commitments. The criteria that was used in rating these eleven leagues, was how do teams within the leagues compare when developing players who move on to the NHL, NCAA, Canadian University, the USHL and Major Junior hockey programs. December 5, 2020. Its a Canadian players league, and they do a great job at developing local boys.”. Commissioner. SIJHL commissioner Darrin Nicholas on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020 said the league still hopes to start playing on Nov. 14, but a number of factors could get in the way. The league operates in the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. All-time/historical regular season stats and leaders for SIJHL, including top goal scorers, most games played, PPG leaders and more. With the loss of the Wilderness franchise to the NAHL last off season, the leading development team was gone from the league. December 6, 2020. “Maybe they made a phone call or two, but that was it. With all Ontario Junior Hockey Leagues moving to the pay to play model, the Superior International Junior Hockey League may be shaping up to be the best option for those United States born players not making the North American Hockey League or United States Hockey League. On Friday, SIJHL commissioner Darrin Nicholas said in a press release it would be unlikely to finish a complete season and playoffs with the ongoing Ontario lockdown rules. Learn how your comment data is processed. “I don’t blame the people in Fort Frances and the district at all. Travel friendly for its players its the same for scouts. The North American Hockey League had surprisingly mixed reviews from scouts. The seven teams of the SIJHL will play 56-game schedules. So it may be off to the courts for a legal battle that has no definite outcome—along with no definite timetable. Superior International Junior Hockey League. But Tookenay is confident that if it does go that far, the Thunder will be get the decision they desire. Darrin Nicholas. Come February, the top teams of the league will play down for the Bill Salonen Cup, the SIJHL championship. “The NOJ surprised me last year. The Thunder Bay North Stars scored three goals in 25 seconds to tie up the score 5-5 in the third, but Joe McCollum scored with 1.2 seconds left in overtime to give the Kam River Fighting Walleye a 6-5 overtime win. Faced with an odd number of teams and a required 14-day reset period to switch … Well, that isn’t going to happen,” Tookenay stressed. Great coaching throughout the league makes it fun to watch and makes it worth the trip up to Alberta.”. “I don’t know how stable the SIJHL is right now. We hope this series of articles is informative and promotes a healthy discussion. SIJHL Reacts to Ontario State of Emergency; SIJHL Norskies, Lumberjacks to Pause for the 2020-21 Season; Elder Kings Continue Roll; Lakers Make it 4-in-a Row against Thistles December 5, 2020 By Gary Moskalyk, Special to the SIJHL. The 2013–14 SIJHL season was the 13th season of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). The eleven team Manitoba league boasted 36 promotions or commitments. Some late bloomers, and some good up and coming players last year. But the Thunder needed permission from the SIJHL to join the MJHL. But Whitehead countered that the Thunder have not been the most supportive in trying to expand the SIJHL, either. Twenty four teams lay claim to more than 200 player promotions or commitments. Last year the Maritime league had eleven teams and reports 19 players moved on to University hockey but that did not tell the whole story. “We’ve put in a lot of hours to get this thing going and to have it go down the tubes because we can’t get permission to go to the MJHL? The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League while smaller than the BCHL and OJHL, worked very hard to develop players and move them on to higher levels. A leagues history does not come into account in any way. For players looking at Major Junior its a great place to fine tune your game.”. First Team. Rating The Junior Hockey Leagues – Canadian Junior A And The NAHL, USPHL Southeast Showcase To Run Jan. 29 Through Feb. 1 in Charleston, Decatur posts consecutive shutouts in home sweep over Blackbirds, MJDP doles out offense in dominant 10-2 win Tuesday over Fort Wayne. I can make a nice easy trip up there and see six teams in a weekend all within easy driving distance of each other. Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) - Complete rosters, stats, standings, awards and facts from Eliteprospects.com. Its not entertaining or fun scouting one team beat up on another every time they play. And who will foot that bill if the Thunder joins the MJHL? This rating is based upon the 2013-2014 season and nothing more. If you want a point producing forward its a great place to find one. “We want to see this team stay here [Fort Frances] and we feel the only way we can do that is through the MJHL.”. SIJHL Reacts to Ontario State of Emergency; SIJHL Norskies, Lumberjacks to Pause for the 2020-21 Season; Elder Kings Continue Roll; Lakers Make it 4-in-a Row against Thistles The six teams of the SIJHL played 56-game schedules. A vote from the owners from each of the seven league teams was made, said Doug Lein, the chairman of the SIJHL board of governors. The 2006–07 SIJHL season is the 6th season of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). In other leagues you sometimes see politics being played with those roster spots. And for the past year, the team has made its intentions widely and clearly known—they want out. “We’re just trying to keep our franchises afloat and the only way to do that is to head west.”, © 2021 Fort Frances Times Ltd. ISSN 1911-3862 Built by Times Web Design Powered by Drupal, © 2021 Fort Frances Times Ltd. 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