Just a week after the SJHL approved the relocation of the Notre Dame Hounds to Warman, the La Ronge Ice Wolves have a new home as well.
Fortunately for Ice Wolves fans the team will still stay in the tri-community area.
The team announced Wednesday night that they will move their home games from the Mel Hegland Uniplex to the JRMCC Arena starting next season.
“This relocation is all about ensuring the future viability of our local junior franchise,” said Team President Grant Merriman. “It is essential that the La Ronge Ice Wolves play in a more modern facility, we believe this move will strengthen our sponsorship, improve attendance, increase season and game-day ticket sales and help with player recruitment.”
The JRMCC arena was constructed in 2005 and underwent a major expansion in 2016.
Some more renovations will be done in the off-season to welcome the Ice Wolves.
“We are extremely excited and proud to be the new home of the La Ronge Ice Wolves hockey club,” said Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson. “The growth of JRMCC over the last decade as a facility has been impressive, it is certainly the best hockey facility in the north.”
The team will continue to be owned and managed by Northern Lights Hockey Development.
In the meantime, the Ice Wolves are currently in a push for the playoffs.
After Wednesday night’s win against the Nipawin Hawks, the Ice Wolves are now just two points behind the Kindersley Klippers for that final post-season spot.
With the Klippers set for two games against La Ronge at the Mel this weekend, fans can certainly expect a playoff type atmosphere as both teams playoff hopes will be on the line.