The Thief River Falls Norskies and the Wisconsin Lumberjacks won’t be a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League when the 2020-2021 season resumes in the new year.
The League says the ongoing closure of the U.S./Canadian border to non-essential travel continues to make it impossible for the league and its two American based teams to meaningfully participate in any regular season or playoff schedule.
Officials from all three sides stress they worked their best to find a solution but the challenges appear insurmountable this winter and spring.
SIJHL Commissioner Darrin Nicholas says it’s a sad day and his heart goes out to the players, staff, management and those associated with both teams as they have worked tirelessly to try and find a way to get their respective teams on the ice.
He stresses both teams are integral partners in the SIJHL, and the league looks forward to having them back next September.
Norskies team Governor David Beito says they did everything in their power to find a way to play hockey but ran out of solutions.
Beito says the Norskies appreciate the SIJHL for sticking with them and looking for any opportunity to get the team into action this year.
He adds the team “has an eye to a very exciting and successful season starting in 2021 and we wish our Canadian SIJHL teams the best of luck in the remainder of this season.”
Lumberjacks President Sophia Lein says they are disappointed but optimistic for the future.
Lein says the Commissioner and the league worked tirelessly to find a way for them to compete this season but it just wasn’t in the cards.
“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.
