One of the Prairie Junior Hockey League’s most storied franchises has decided to call it quits for next season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Assiniboia Southern Rebels – who for much of the 2000s stood over the then-South Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey League like an iron colossus – announced on June 14 that they had requested and received a one-year leave-of-absence due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision comes on the heels of widespread uncertainty when it comes to fall and winter sports leagues all over Canada, and before the PJHL itself made any kind of official announcement.
“Based on the impact COVID-19 has had on individuals, businesses, and the fact that there are more unknowns than knowns, we feel trying to field a hockey team for the 20/21 season would be irresponsible to our community, fans, sponsors, players, and all individuals involved within our organization,” the Rebels said in a Facebook post announcing the decision.
The Rebels finished fourth in the Bill Johnston Division during the 2019-20 season, posting a 11-25-0-4 record before being swept in four games in the first round of the playoffs by the Regina Capitals. The season was then cancelled by Hockey Canada.
Assiniboia has been part of the SSJHL and PJHL since its inception in 1992, with the exception of the 2005-06 season when they were unable to ice a team.
The Southern Rebels reeled off seven SSJHL titles in the first 10 years of the league’s existence and tagged on five provincial titles along the way.
Then there are the seasons that put Assiniboia hockey on the Canadian hockey map – their Keystone Cup Western Canadian championships, won in 1996, 2001 and their most recent title in 2003.
The PJHL itself remains optimistic with regards to having a season, with no decision made as of yet with regards to potential delays or cancellations.
