Superior International Junior Hockey League
Encyclopedia
The Superior International Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey
league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada
. The winner of the SIJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup
with the winners of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup
then moves on to compete for the Royal Bank Cup
.
Although founded in 2001, the SIJHL is another chapter in a long history of Thunder Bay
Junior "A" Hockey. The Fort William War Veterans were the first representatives of the Thunder Bay region, winning the 1922 Memorial Cup
as Canadian National Junior "A" Champions. Although there is not abundant information on the subject, the Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League may date back to the War Veterans, and existed until 1980. From 1980 until 2000, the region (Hockey Northwestern Ontario
) was represented by a single team at the Junior "A" level—the Thunder Bay Flyers
. The Flyers played their regular season games in the United States Hockey League
, America's Tier I of Junior Hockey, and returned to Canada for the playoffs. The Flyers won the Dudley Hewitt Cup
as Central Canadian Junior Champions in 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1995. The Flyers were also National Champions in 1989 and 1992, winning the Centennial Cup
. The Flyers folded after the 1999-2000 USHL Season.
The Northwestern Ontario region has also been well represented in the past in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
. From 1968 until 1982, the city of Kenora, Ontario
was represented by the Kenora Muskies/Thistles
and in the mid-1980s, Thunder Bay had an entry with the Thunder Bay Hornets
.
The folding of the Thunder Bay Flyers opened the way for a rebirth of Junior "A" hockey in the Thunder Bay region. The league came back to life under the "Superior International" label in 2001 with 5 teams, including the Thunder Bay Wolves (now the Fort William North Stars
), the Nipigon Featherman Hawks (now the Thunder Bay Bearcats
), the Fort Frances Borderland Thunder
, Dryden Ice Dogs
, and the Thunder Bay Bulldogs
.
won the Dudley Hewitt Cup
with a 7-6 overtime win over the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
's Sudbury Jr. Wolves to earn the team and the league its first regional title and its first shot at the national title at the 2006 Royal Bank Cup. The North Stars would eventually be eliminated in the Royal Bank Cup semi-final in Brampton, Ontario
with a 3-2 overtime loss to the British Columbia Hockey League
's Kyle Turris
and the Burnaby Express
.
, Ignace
, Atikokan
, Geraldton, and Wawa
yet to be explored by the SIJHL. League chairman Ron Whitehead has also spoken about the potential for expansion into the United States, with markets such as nearby Warroad
and other towns throughout Minnesota
and Wisconsin
offering notable potential for growth in the SIJHL.
and Marathon Renegades
. A Wawa, Ontario
franchise was also in the works, but never came to fruition.
On December 17, 2007, it was announced that the Schreiber Diesels
folded mid-season, without warning. The organization claimed disappointment in the season's fan support, but also said it was not only reason for the cessation of play. On December 21, the team was bought by a group of local fans in an effort to keep the Diesels alive. But with good came the ugly. The Marathon Renegades
at one point were as high as third place in the SIJHL this season, but after 37 games played were forced to resign from the rest of the 2007-08 campaign. Their problems resulted from weeks of playing with just over two lines of players. Injuries and early defections were blamed for this. Al Cresswell, team president, claimed that the shortage of players had become a health risk. The Renegades have not suspended operations, but have pulled out of the season.
Although the 2008-09 season did not see a return to Marathon, the SIJHL did add the Sioux Lookout Flyers
. In the 2008 off-season, the Thunder Bay Bulldogs
elected to retract to embolden the Thunder Bay Bearcats
. Despite a strong year from the Bearcats and the Schreiber Diesels
, both teams elected to cease operation in the summer of 2009. The Fort Frances Jr. Sabres
claimed that they would be back for 2009-10, but their owners sold the rights to their players to teams across Canada. In a last ditch effort, the town of Fort Frances bought the team and renamed them the Fort Frances Lakers, but were forced to find all new players due to the actions of the previous ownership. The Thunder Bay Wolverines elected to apply for promotion to the SIJHL for 2009-10 fresh off of their silver medal performance at the Keystone Cup
Canadian Jr. B Championships. Back up to five teams, the SIJHL also made a 20-game interleague setup with the Minnesota Junior Hockey League
's Wisconsin Mustangs
to diversify the league's competition.
teams: Duluth and Spooner.
In June, the Thunder Bay Wolverines unceremoniously pulled out of the SIJHL. A few days later USA Hockey
rejected the transfer bid by the Wisconsin Mustangs
to join the SIJHL and the expansion bid of the potential of Duluth, Minnesota
despite approval by Hockey Canada
and the SIJHL. The league sat at four teams. The two teams appealed the decision and won their appeal, officially giving the league six teams and making the league truly an international league.
The Fort William North Stars were dominant early in 2010-11, but due to a financial hiccup that lead to an ownership and name change (Thunder Bay North Stars), the Wisconsin Wilderness jumped into the lead mid-season and never looked back. The Wilderness won their first season and playoff title in their first season of play in the league.
In the Summer of 2011, the SIJHL was told that would be allowed to expand into Iron Range Township, Minnesota
for a third American team by USA Hockey
as long as the local hockey branch agreed. With permission from Minnesota Hockey, all that awaited was an "okay" from the USA Hockey Council -- which like 2009-10 was denied. The decision was appealed and on July 12, 2011 expansion was allowed by USA Hockey as well as the continuation of the Duluth and Spooner franchises.
Dudley Hewitt Cup
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
. The winner of the SIJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
with the winners of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and Hockey Canada. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario...
. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
then moves on to compete for the Royal Bank Cup
Royal Bank Cup
The Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...
.
Background
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
Junior "A" Hockey. The Fort William War Veterans were the first representatives of the Thunder Bay region, winning the 1922 Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
as Canadian National Junior "A" Champions. Although there is not abundant information on the subject, the Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League may date back to the War Veterans, and existed until 1980. From 1980 until 2000, the region (Hockey Northwestern Ontario
Hockey Northwestern Ontario
Hockey Northwestern Ontario is the governing body of all ice hockey in Northern Ontario, Canada. Hockey Northwestern Ontario is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Jurisdiction:...
) was represented by a single team at the Junior "A" level—the Thunder Bay Flyers
Thunder Bay Flyers
The Thunder Bay Flyers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.-History:On July 6, 1980, the Degagne Buccaneers and Thunder Bay North Stars were informed by the TBAHA that they would not be permitted to field teams in the 1980-81 City League...
. The Flyers played their regular season games in the United States Hockey League
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
, America's Tier I of Junior Hockey, and returned to Canada for the playoffs. The Flyers won the Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
as Central Canadian Junior Champions in 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1995. The Flyers were also National Champions in 1989 and 1992, winning the Centennial Cup
Royal Bank Cup
The Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...
. The Flyers folded after the 1999-2000 USHL Season.
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
. From 1968 until 1982, the city of Kenora, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
was represented by the Kenora Muskies/Thistles
Kenora Thistles (1968–1982)
The Kenora Thistles were a Manitoba Junior Hockey League team playing in the Canadian town of Kenora, Ontario, on the Manitoba border.-History:The Kenora Muskies were granted expansion into the Memorial Cup-eligible Manitoba Junior Hockey League in 1968...
and in the mid-1980s, Thunder Bay had an entry with the Thunder Bay Hornets
Thunder Bay Hornets
The Thunder Bay Hornets were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. At their height, they won two consecutive Bronze Medals at the Western Canadian Junior B Championships - the Keystone Cup and later were in competition for the National Junior A Championship, the...
.
The folding of the Thunder Bay Flyers opened the way for a rebirth of Junior "A" hockey in the Thunder Bay region. The league came back to life under the "Superior International" label in 2001 with 5 teams, including the Thunder Bay Wolves (now the Fort William North Stars
Fort William North Stars
The Thunder Bay North Stars are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
), the Nipigon Featherman Hawks (now the Thunder Bay Bearcats
Thunder Bay Bearcats
The Thunder Bay Bearcats are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
), the Fort Frances Borderland Thunder
Fort Frances Borderland Thunder
The Borderland Thunder are a defunct Junior "A" ice hockey team from Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
, Dryden Ice Dogs
Dryden Ice Dogs
The Dryden Ice Dogs are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Dryden, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
, and the Thunder Bay Bulldogs
Thunder Bay Bulldogs
The Thunder Bay Bulldogs were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from the Port Arthur section of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
.
2006 Dudley Hewitt Cup
In 2006, the Fort William North StarsFort William North Stars
The Thunder Bay North Stars are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
won the Dudley Hewitt Cup
Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
with a 7-6 overtime win over the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and Hockey Canada. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario...
's Sudbury Jr. Wolves to earn the team and the league its first regional title and its first shot at the national title at the 2006 Royal Bank Cup. The North Stars would eventually be eliminated in the Royal Bank Cup semi-final in Brampton, Ontario
Brampton, Ontario
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
with a 3-2 overtime loss to the British Columbia Hockey League
British Columbia Hockey League
The British Columbia Hockey League is a Junior "A" ice hockey league from British Columbia under Hockey Canada, a subsection of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Founded in Vernon in 1961, the BCHL now includes 16 teams. These teams play in two conferences, known as the Coastal and the Interior...
's Kyle Turris
Kyle Turris
Kyle Turris is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre with the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was selected third overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
and the Burnaby Express
Burnaby Express
The Coquitlam Express are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Coastal Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League...
.
Potential Markets
There are numerous potential markets in Northern Ontario like Kenora, Red LakeRed Lake, Ontario
Population trend:* Population in 2006: 4526* Population in 2001: 4233* Population total in 1996: 4778** Golden : 2248** Red Lake : 2277* Population in 1991:** Golden : 2355** Red Lake : 2268-Climate:...
, Ignace
Ignace, Ontario
Ignace is a township in the Kenora District of Northwestern Ontario, Canada, located at Highway 17 and Secondary Highway 599, and on the Canadian Pacific Railway between Thunder Bay and Kenora. It is on the shore of Agimak Lake, and, as of 2006, the population of Ignace was 1,431.The town was...
, Atikokan
Atikokan, Ontario
Atikokan is a township in the District of Rainy River in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. In 2006, the population was 3,293. The town is one of the main entry points into Quetico Provincial Park and promotes itself as the "Canoeing Capital of Canada"...
, Geraldton, and Wawa
Wawa, Ontario
Wawa is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located within the Algoma District. Formerly known as the township of Michipicoten, the township was officially renamed for its largest and best-known community in 2009....
yet to be explored by the SIJHL. League chairman Ron Whitehead has also spoken about the potential for expansion into the United States, with markets such as nearby Warroad
Warroad, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,722 people, 657 households, and 419 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 766 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 81.65% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 7.38% Native American,...
and other towns throughout Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
offering notable potential for growth in the SIJHL.
Expansion East and Retraction
The presence of the SIJHL in Northwestern Ontario marks the first time since the 1970s that the region has effectively supported a junior hockey league. In the mid-2000s, the SIJHL expanded East of Thunder Bay with the Schreiber DieselsSchreiber Diesels
The Schreiber Diesels were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Schreiber, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Schreiber Diesels were coached by Bobby Spadoni, a life long resident of the area...
and Marathon Renegades
Marathon Renegades
The Marathon Renegades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Marathon, Ontario. They are currently members of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:They were members of the North of Superior Junior B Hockey League from 1996 until 2004...
. A Wawa, Ontario
Wawa, Ontario
Wawa is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located within the Algoma District. Formerly known as the township of Michipicoten, the township was officially renamed for its largest and best-known community in 2009....
franchise was also in the works, but never came to fruition.
On December 17, 2007, it was announced that the Schreiber Diesels
Schreiber Diesels
The Schreiber Diesels were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Schreiber, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Schreiber Diesels were coached by Bobby Spadoni, a life long resident of the area...
folded mid-season, without warning. The organization claimed disappointment in the season's fan support, but also said it was not only reason for the cessation of play. On December 21, the team was bought by a group of local fans in an effort to keep the Diesels alive. But with good came the ugly. The Marathon Renegades
Marathon Renegades
The Marathon Renegades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Marathon, Ontario. They are currently members of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:They were members of the North of Superior Junior B Hockey League from 1996 until 2004...
at one point were as high as third place in the SIJHL this season, but after 37 games played were forced to resign from the rest of the 2007-08 campaign. Their problems resulted from weeks of playing with just over two lines of players. Injuries and early defections were blamed for this. Al Cresswell, team president, claimed that the shortage of players had become a health risk. The Renegades have not suspended operations, but have pulled out of the season.
Although the 2008-09 season did not see a return to Marathon, the SIJHL did add the Sioux Lookout Flyers
Sioux Lookout Flyers
The Sioux Lookout Flyers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
. In the 2008 off-season, the Thunder Bay Bulldogs
Thunder Bay Bulldogs
The Thunder Bay Bulldogs were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from the Port Arthur section of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
elected to retract to embolden the Thunder Bay Bearcats
Thunder Bay Bearcats
The Thunder Bay Bearcats are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
. Despite a strong year from the Bearcats and the Schreiber Diesels
Schreiber Diesels
The Schreiber Diesels were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Schreiber, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Schreiber Diesels were coached by Bobby Spadoni, a life long resident of the area...
, both teams elected to cease operation in the summer of 2009. The Fort Frances Jr. Sabres
Fort Frances Jr. Sabres
The Fort Frances Lakers are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team based in Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-Jr. Sabres:...
claimed that they would be back for 2009-10, but their owners sold the rights to their players to teams across Canada. In a last ditch effort, the town of Fort Frances bought the team and renamed them the Fort Frances Lakers, but were forced to find all new players due to the actions of the previous ownership. The Thunder Bay Wolverines elected to apply for promotion to the SIJHL for 2009-10 fresh off of their silver medal performance at the Keystone Cup
Keystone Cup
The Keystone Cup is the Junior "B" ice hockey championship and trophy for Western Canada. The Championship is the culmination of the champions of 12 hockey leagues in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.-History:...
Canadian Jr. B Championships. Back up to five teams, the SIJHL also made a 20-game interleague setup with the Minnesota Junior Hockey League
Minnesota Junior Hockey League
The Minnesota Junior Hockey League is a USA Hockey Tier III sanctioned junior ice hockey league operated out of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota. The league currently has eight member teams in Minnesota and Wisconsin...
's Wisconsin Mustangs
Wisconsin Mustangs
The Wisconsin Wilderness are an American Junior ice hockey team based in Spooner, Wisconsin. The Wilderness play in the Canadian-based Superior International Junior Hockey League...
to diversify the league's competition.
10th Season and onward
The 2010-11 season will be the tenth season of the SIJHL. Marking its tenth season, the SIJHL received offers for expansion by two AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
teams: Duluth and Spooner.
In June, the Thunder Bay Wolverines unceremoniously pulled out of the SIJHL. A few days later USA Hockey
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
rejected the transfer bid by the Wisconsin Mustangs
Wisconsin Mustangs
The Wisconsin Wilderness are an American Junior ice hockey team based in Spooner, Wisconsin. The Wilderness play in the Canadian-based Superior International Junior Hockey League...
to join the SIJHL and the expansion bid of the potential of Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
despite approval by Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
and the SIJHL. The league sat at four teams. The two teams appealed the decision and won their appeal, officially giving the league six teams and making the league truly an international league.
The Fort William North Stars were dominant early in 2010-11, but due to a financial hiccup that lead to an ownership and name change (Thunder Bay North Stars), the Wisconsin Wilderness jumped into the lead mid-season and never looked back. The Wilderness won their first season and playoff title in their first season of play in the league.
In the Summer of 2011, the SIJHL was told that would be allowed to expand into Iron Range Township, Minnesota
Iron Range Township, Minnesota
Iron Range Township is a township in Itasca County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 651 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
for a third American team by USA Hockey
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
as long as the local hockey branch agreed. With permission from Minnesota Hockey, all that awaited was an "okay" from the USA Hockey Council -- which like 2009-10 was denied. The decision was appealed and on July 12, 2011 expansion was allowed by USA Hockey as well as the continuation of the Duluth and Spooner franchises.
The teams
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Bill Salonen Cup Champions
The winners of the SIJHL Playoffs are awarded the Bill Salonen Cup. Although the Jack Adams Trophy is supposed to be awarded to the branch Junior A champion, Hockey Northwestern Ontario will not bring it out unless there are two leagues vying for the Branch Championship.EWLINE
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Dudley Hewitt CupDudley Hewitt CupThe Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...
Central Canada Championships
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Former Member Teams
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Former Interleague Teams
- Iron Range Yellow JacketsIron Range Yellow JacketsThe Iron Range Yellow Jackets were a Junior "B" ice hockey team from Coleraine, Minnesota, United States. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League and an interleague member of the Junior "A" Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Yellow Jackets...
- Minot State University-Bottineau LumberjacksMinot State University-Bottineau LumberjacksThe Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks Ice Hockey are a Junior Collegiate ice hockey team from Bottineau, North Dakota. The Lumberjacks are a part of Dakota College at Bottineau and member of the National Junior College Athletic Association. The Lumberjacks play their home games at the...
Team Records
- Best Winning Record:
-
- 2005-06 Fort William North StarsFort William North StarsThe Thunder Bay North Stars are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
- 50-2-0-0- Most Goals For in One Season:
- 2005-06 Fort William North StarsFort William North StarsThe Thunder Bay North Stars are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
- 353 Goals For- Least Goals Against in One Season:
- 2004-05 Fort William North StarsFort William North StarsThe Thunder Bay North Stars are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
- 66 Goals Against- Worst Winning Record:
- 2008-09 Sioux Lookout FlyersSioux Lookout FlyersThe Sioux Lookout Flyers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
- 2-46-0-2- Least Goals For in One Season:
- 2004-05 Thunder Bay BulldogsThunder Bay BulldogsThe Thunder Bay Bulldogs were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from the Port Arthur section of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:...
- 72 Goals For- Most Goals Against in One Season:
- 2006-07 Marathon RenegadesMarathon RenegadesThe Marathon Renegades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Marathon, Ontario. They are currently members of the Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:They were members of the North of Superior Junior B Hockey League from 1996 until 2004...
- 404 Goals Against
- 2005-06 Fort William North Stars
Timeline of Teams in the SIJHL
- 2001 - SIJHL is founded with five teams: Fort Frances Borderland Thunder, Nipigon Featherman Hawks, Thunder Bay Wolves, Dryden Ice Dogs, and Thunder Bay Bulldogs; as well as two interleague teams: Northwest Wisconsin Knights and Iron Range Yellow JacketsIron Range Yellow JacketsThe Iron Range Yellow Jackets were a Junior "B" ice hockey team from Coleraine, Minnesota, United States. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League and an interleague member of the Junior "A" Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Yellow Jackets...
- 2002 - Thunder Bay Wolves become Fort William Wolves
- 2002 - Nipigon Featherman Hawks become Thunder Bay Golden Hawks
- 2002 - Iron Range Yellow JacketsIron Range Yellow JacketsThe Iron Range Yellow Jackets were a Junior "B" ice hockey team from Coleraine, Minnesota, United States. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League and an interleague member of the Junior "A" Superior International Junior Hockey League.-History:The Yellow Jackets...
break off interlock - 2003 - Fort William Wolves become Fort William North Stars
- 2003 - Northwest Wisconsin Knights break off interlock
- 2005 - Schreiber Diesels join league
- 2005 - Fort Frances Borderland Thunder leaves league
- 2005 - MSU-Bottineau Lumberjacks enter into interlocking schedules
- 2006 - Marathon Renegades join league
- 2006 - Thunder Bay Golden Hawks become Thunder Bay Bearcats
- 2006 - MSU-Bottineau Lumberjacks break off interlock
- 2007 - Fort Frances Jr. Sabres join league
- 2007 - Marathon Renegades withdraw from league mid-season (January)
- 2008 - Sioux Lookout Flyers join league
- 2008 - Thunder Bay Bulldogs merge into Thunder Bay Bearcats
- 2009 - Schreiber Diesels leave league
- 2009 - Thunder Bay Bearcats leave league
- 2009 - Fort Frances Jr. Sabres are renamed Fort Frances Lakers
- 2009 - Thunder Bay Wolverines join league from Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey LeagueThunder Bay Junior B Hockey LeagueThe Thunder Bay Junior B Hockey League is a Canadian Junior ice hockey league in Northwestern Ontario, sanctioned by Hockey Northwestern Ontario and Hockey Canada. The Thunder Bay League has produced one Keystone Cup Western Canada Junior "B" champion and five Brewers Cup Western Canada Junior "C"...
- 2009 - Wisconsin Mustangs enter into interlocking schedule
- 2010 - Thunder Bay Wolverines leave league
- 2010 - Wisconsin Wilderness (formerly Mustangs) join league from Minnesota Junior Hockey LeagueMinnesota Junior Hockey LeagueThe Minnesota Junior Hockey League is a USA Hockey Tier III sanctioned junior ice hockey league operated out of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota. The league currently has eight member teams in Minnesota and Wisconsin...
- 2010 - Duluth Clydesdales join league
- 2011 - Iron Range Ironheads join league
See also
- Hockey Northwestern OntarioHockey Northwestern OntarioHockey Northwestern Ontario is the governing body of all ice hockey in Northern Ontario, Canada. Hockey Northwestern Ontario is a branch of Hockey Canada.-Jurisdiction:...
- Canadian Junior A Hockey LeagueCanadian Junior A Hockey LeagueThe Canadian Junior Hockey League , an association of Canadian Junior A ice hockey leagues and teams, formed in November 1993, emerging from the Canada West Association of Junior 'A' Hockey. The champion of the Canadian Junior Hockey League wins the Royal Bank Cup.The CJHL spans the majority of...
- Thunder Bay Junior Hockey League
- Thunder Bay FlyersThunder Bay FlyersThe Thunder Bay Flyers were a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.-History:On July 6, 1980, the Degagne Buccaneers and Thunder Bay North Stars were informed by the TBAHA that they would not be permitted to field teams in the 1980-81 City League...
- Thunder Bay BombersThunder Bay BombersThe Thunder Bay Twins are a Canadian Senior ice hockey team from Thunder Bay, Ontario. They play an independent schedule under the supervision of Hockey Northwestern Ontario...
- Royal Bank CupRoyal Bank CupThe Royal Bank Cup is an annual ice hockey tournament held to determine the Canadian Junior A champion. The winner of the tournament wins the Royal Bank Cup...
- Dudley Hewitt CupDudley Hewitt CupThe Dudley Hewitt Cup is a championship ice hockey trophy, won by tournaments conducted by the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The trophy was first awarded in 1979. The winner of the Dudley Hewitt Cup competes at the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.-History:...