Petition Launched to Save Cloverdale Junior Hockey Team

A petition has been launched to save the Cloverdale Junior Hockey team after its season was abruptly cancelled by the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL). The petition, titled “Save Cloverdale Junior Hockey Season – Reverse The PJHL’s Decision,” was initiated by local advocate Mitch Warnock on change.org. This development follows the recent removal of the Cloverdale franchise from the PJHL’s official website, raising concerns among players, fans, and community members.

The Cloverdale Reporter initially reported on the cancellation, noting that all games for the junior team were called off just days before the season was set to begin. Efforts to obtain clarification from the PJHL have not yielded any responses, with Trevor Alto, the league commissioner, failing to acknowledge inquiries from the media.

In his petition, Warnock criticized the PJHL’s decision, describing it as a “blatant display of greed” that undermines the efforts of players, volunteers, and coaches who have invested significant time preparing for the season. He stated, “Players, volunteers, coaches, and staff have invested hundreds of hours…yet their dedication is blatantly undervalued by owners who seem intent on cancelling it purely out of spite.”

A source familiar with the situation provided further insight, suggesting that the cancellation stems from internal disputes among team owners regarding the league’s structure. “This is a massive fight among owners over this Tier 1 and Tier 2 stuff,” said the source, who requested anonymity. “And they’ve put the kids in the middle.”

The controversy comes in the wake of the PJHL’s unsuccessful attempt to split into two leagues—Junior A Tier 1 and Junior A Tier 2. Earlier this year, a vote to approve this change failed at summer league meetings, with the results reportedly falling short of the required two-thirds majority by a narrow margin of 8-7. Despite the significance of this outcome, the PJHL has not publicly acknowledged it.

Warnock highlighted the implications of the owners’ actions, stating, “These owners have shown they do not care about the development of players or the relationships they hold with the communities in which they play.” He urged the local hockey community to consider the direction of junior hockey in British Columbia and the impact of these decisions.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the role of the City of Surrey in this situation. Jill Lobley, a local resident, expressed her disappointment on social media, advocating for greater city involvement. “The city has already renovated the arena to support the team as well as committed to building a junior-ready arena at the new development,” Lobley noted. She criticized recent comments made by the mayor as insufficient for addressing the crisis.

Warnock remains hopeful that the petition will lead to a reversal of the PJHL’s decision, allowing Cloverdale to proceed with its home opener scheduled for September 11, 2023. As of now, the petition has garnered nearly 3,000 signatures, reflecting strong community support for the junior hockey team.

The unfolding situation highlights the complexities within junior hockey leagues and the importance of community engagement in supporting young athletes. As the petition continues to gain traction, the future of the Cloverdale Junior Hockey team remains uncertain, drawing attention from local fans and stakeholders alike.