Thursday, November 7, 2024
Brock's Only Independent Student Newspaper
One of the only worker-owned and operated newspapers in Canada

Newfoundland Growlers terminated from ECHL 

|
|

The Newfoundland Growlers membership has been terminated as of April 2, 2024, effective immediately.  

The decision was made by the ECHL Board of Directors after the Growlers ownership group failed to fulfil obligations under the ECHL bylaws.  

The owners of the Growlers, Deacon Sports and Entertainment were reportedly bankrupt and given a deadline of April 2nd to sell the team. Deacon managed to sell their majority stake in their other ECHL team, the Trois-Rivieres Lions, but were unable to find a buyer for the Growlers. The ECHL cut all ties with the Growlers, and all players have become free agents.  

The Growlers were founded in 2018 and became the ECHL affiliate to the NHLs Toronto Maple Leafs and AHLs Toronto Marlies. The Growlers won the Kelly Cup in their inaugural season and reached the Eastern Conference finals twice in 2021-22 and 2022-23.  

The Growlers were one of the first organizations to focus on using their team as a development team for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Up until the Growlers, the ECHL was known as a fighting league, and not many “skilled players” were in the league.  

Maple Leafs players Bobby McMann, Timothy Liljegren and Mikko Kokkonen all played for the Growlers at one point in their careers. Now, McMann and Liljegren are significantly impacting the Maple Leafs roster. Many other teams have started to value using the ECHL as a development for prospects in their system.  

So, with the termination of the membership, the Maple Leafs are left with no ECHL affiliate and may be forced to share a team like the Winnipeg Jets and Carolina Hurricanes.  

Newfoundland sports fans are also very upset with the termination of the team as they have now seen four teams come and go in the past two decades – St. John’s (AHL), Fog Devils (QMJHL), IceCaps (AHL) and now the Growlers (ECHL).  

On top of the impact on the Maple Leafs and local Newfoundland hockey fans, the loss of the Growlers will also affect local businesses, such as restaurants and bars that would host fans before and after games.  

But this is not the first time an ECHL team has had financial issues and ceased operations. Over the past two decades, 31 teams have had to do the same or similar reasons such as absorptions by other leagues.  

Teams such as the Bakersfield Condors, Colorado Eagles and Ontario Reign have been absorbed by the AHL; while teams such as Quad City Mallards and Brampton Beasts joined the CHL.  

For more information on the Newfoundland Growlers and all news on the ECHL, visit echl.com.  

More by this author

RELATED ARTICLES

Getting to know the Liberty franchise  

The New York Liberty clinched their first-ever WNBA championship title on Sunday, marking a historic achievement for the franchise.  

Brock Women’s basketball kicks off season with win   

On Thursday, the Brock women’s basketball team kicked off their season with a strong start, securing a victory on the Guelph Gryphons’ home court. With a new head coach at the helm, the team is poised for a memorable season, and this opening win sets an optimistic tone for what is yet to come.  

Lebron and Bronny’s NBA debut raises questions  

During the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, a momentous occasion unfolded as LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, shared the court together for the first time, and fans are not happy.  

Balanced attack leads Badgers men’s basketball to home opener win over Gryphons 

The Brock Badgers men’s basketball team begin their 2024-25 season with a huge win in front of the packed Bob Davis Gymnasium, crushing the Guelph Gryphons 64-47 on Oct. 24. 

Badgers women’s hockey lose hard-fought game to Varsity Blues 

The Brock Badgers women’s hockey team fall 3-2 to the Varsity Blues in Toronto, as the Badgers’ comeback is cut short. 

Lynx and Liberty battle for WNBA Championship  

The WNBA Finals have reached a thrilling point as the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty go head-to-head for the championship title.  

David’s late goal gives Canada win over Panama in home return 

It was a celebratory return to Canadian soil for the senior men’s national team on Oct. 15, defeating Panama 2-1 in an international friendly in Toronto, playing in their first home match of 2024. 

PWHL unveils 2024-25 schedule, second season begins Nov. 30 

After an exciting first season, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) returns on Nov. 30 with more games, rebranded team names, bigger venues and a lot more anticipation entering year two.