The owner of the Growlers (Deacon Sports and Entertainment) has reportedly had a lengthy behind-the-scenes battle over payments, which has led to their team being disbanded by the ECHL.
The owner of the Growlers (Deacon Sports and Entertainment) has reportedly had a lengthy behind-the-scenes battle over payments, which has led to their team being disbanded by the ECHL.
Professional hockey in Newfoundland has come to an unfortunate end.
The ECHL announced on Tuesday afternoon that the league's Board of Governers have terminated the Newfoundland Growlers' membership, effective immediately.
“We are saddened to lose ECHL hockey in the Newfoundland market,” ECHL commissioner Ryan Crelin said in a statement. “We’d like to thank the Growlers fans and partners for their support of the team throughout their existence, and are hopeful that hockey can return to the region for their dedicated and passionate fanbase.”
Each of the players on Newfoundland who have ECHL contracts are now unrestricted free agents. The league has stated that no ECHL team may sign more than two of the unrestricted free agents from the Growlers.
All players that were on AHL deals with Newfoundland will join the Marlies for the remainder of this season. Those include forwards Isaac Johnson, Jackson Berezowski, Brock Caufield, Neil Shea, Tyler Weiss, and Keenan Suthers.
Jonny Tychonick, Nolan Dillingham are the defensemen joining AHL Toronto, along with goaltenders Vyacheslav Peksa and Dryden McKay.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the owner of both the Growlers and the Trois-Rivieres Lions, Deacon Sports and Entertainment, has had a behind-the-scenes conflict over payments.
"The same owner (Deacon Sports and Entertainment) owns the two teams, but there's been a lengthy behind-the-scenes battle over payments to the cities and some of the NHL teams," Friedman said.
Any Player on an AHL or NHL contract, who was on the Growlers' roster after 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 20 is ineligible to play in the ECHL for the remainder of the season, the league says.
"Despite the efforts of our front-office, Deacon Sports and Entertainment regrets to announce that the sale of the Newfoundland Growlers could not be finalized prior to the league-mandated April 2, 2024 deadline," the Growlers said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Due to unforeseen challenges, and while a discussion was put forth to salvage the future of both teams, only the continuation of the Trois-Rivières Lions was approved by the ECHL, and as a result, the ECHL Board of Governors has voted to terminate the league membership of the Newfoundland Growlers.Deacon Sports and Entertainment has reached an agreement for the sale and continued operations of the Trois-Rivières Lions, pending the approval of the ECHL.
"The decision to sell the Trois-Rivières Lions comes after careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure the continued success and growth of the franchise.We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our fans, sponsors, partners, staff, and the hundreds of players who have proudly represented the Growlers, whose unwavering resilience and support has been instrumental to our on-ice product.
"Deacon Sports and Entertainment extends sincere gratitude to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montréal Canadiens for their support over the past six seasons."
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