The North Central Hockey League will take a one-year “pause” after a league meeting determined there would not be enough teams to form a league for the 2022-23 season.
The Miniota-Elkhorn C-Hawks signalled their intention to join the Tiger Hills Hockey League, while the Waywayseecappo Warriors asked for a leave of absence citing player shortages and organizational difficulties.
The other two teams from last season also indicated player shortages. The Russell Rams said they would not be able to ice a team, while the Swan Valley Axemen were low in numbers but said they would have enough players to play this season.
The Grandview Comets attended the meeting held on Sept. 8 and showed interest in returning to the league.
In the end, a motion was passed to not form a league this season and reconvene in the spring of 2023 to reconsider for the 2023-24 season.
The league has been operating since 1956-57 and has missed only one season – 2020-21 – due to the pandemic.