The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is continuing the ongoing process of determining whether or not the city of Thompson would make for a suitable franchise. MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis and his Relocation Committee, which consists of Governors Trent Ward (Portage), Gainor Vivian (Neepawa), Dean Cockell (Winnipeg South), and Dave Dobie (Winnipeg) recently paid a visit to the northern Manitoba city, which has a population of around 14 000 people. It is the third largest city in the province. The second largest (Brandon) also does not have an MJHL team. "I can't say a whole lot other than that we have a process that is being undertaken and we are about 80-percent through that," said Davis. "We have done what we need to do with regards to getting a backround investigation done. They (Thompson group) gave us a formal business plan when we were up there earlier this month," added Davis. The Relocation Committee is made up of two Sherwood Division teams and two Addison Division teams. Equal representation from the two divisions is something that is done with just about every committee the MJHL has set up, according to Davis. "We had a very full day of discussion and meetings with a majority of the people that make up their group. There was a lot of talking, questions, answers, and fact finding on both sides." The Commissioner also says it is possible the Relocation Committee may ask the Thompson group to tweak their proposal, however, Davis stopped short of commenting on the possibility of Thompson having to financially subsidize visiting clubs. "This is not a negotiation, but I am sure we will look at some elements. The main thing for them is to have eight of the twelve teams vote in their favor. They need to convince, at least, eight teams that the increased cost associated with making the trip north is worthwhile for them as well as for the league." Davis adds, "The next step would be to go through some final questions with them and after that our Committee would make a recomendation to the entire Board (Governors)."
