When hockey returns there will be one less league In Saskatchewan.
The Triangle Hockey League (THL) announced in May that it will be dissolving.
The announcement comes after the league championship series was cancelled between the Bredenbury Cougars and the Ochapowace Thunder back in March. Officials said the series had to be scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The league’s history goes back more than 50 years, using hockey to connect the distance between small towns.
In addition to Bredenbury and Ochapowace, Hudson Bay, Theodore and Esterhazy had teams in the league this past season. Other communities like Langenburg, Moosomin, Rocanville, Kipling, Windthorst, Kennedy, Whitewood, Fillmore, Indian Head, Midale,Fairlight and Spy Hill were just a few of the towns to have teams in the THL at some point in the now defunct league.
The league was special to many people, including Lyle Balogh.
Although he got his start in the league playing with the Kipling Royals, he went on to build a THL team from the ground level.
“Tim Daku, Earl Smyth and I decided to start a Senior team in Kennedy. So I purchased all the equipment from the defunct Junior “B” Pipestone Beavers. We had to play our first year in the Wawota Arena because the rink in Kennedy wasn’t completed yet,”said Balogh, who was a player in the league until he was 41.
“I played in Kennedy and was captain, assistant captain and player’s rep on the Board.”
“After I retired from Coaching in Kennedy I was approached to Coach The Moosomin Rangers. We won the Triangle League several times.” Says Balogh. “The THL meant a great deal to the communities involved as it was a super draw for fans that supported their teams and local rinks.”
“It was a great pass time for families to follow their teams wherever they traveled in the League. Losing the THL will be a big loss to the communities, fans and their rinks.”
Retired NHL player Jeff Odgers hails from Spy Hill, SK. He made numerous stops in his professional career with San Jose, Boston, Colorado and Atlanta from 1991 - 2003. But he came back to Saskatchewan to finish off his playing career in the THL.
Odgers says he always wanted to finish his playing days the way they started, on the rink with his buddies.
“Most of my memories are probably a lot of things that happen after the games. In Rocanville we always had such a tight group of guys, we did a lot of things together,” said Odgers, who finished his playing days with the Rocanville Tigers.
“Playing for the Tigers is pretty special and we had a lot of guys who were great teammates. We hung out off the ice. So obviously the championships. But probably the friendships and relationships off the ice with all the guys is just as special.”
Odgers also underlines how important senior hockey is to small-town Saskatchewan.
“You need to keep that rink going, you gotta have something for those kids to do,” he said. “Minor hockey, you have to have that. Senior hockey is important to generate revenue and keep your doors open. Also it’s something for those kids to watch (and) something to shoot for. I know it’s not quite as big of deal from when I played but you know when I was a kid all I really wanted to do was play for the Spy Hill Hilltops. That was my main goal, to play senior hockey. To me those guys were like NHL players and I know it’s a little bit different now but senior hockey is a huge part in developing minor hockey.”
Rocanvile won the last three THL championships despite taking the 2019-2020 season off.
There was a time when Rocanvile used to do battle with their highway eight rivals from Moosomin in the THL.
Despite Moosomin leaving the league several years ago, former Rangers player Jeff Cole still has strong memories of the THL. He says senior hockey in general is facing challenges, not just the THL.
“All leagues are struggling and logistically getting further and further distances away with less fans and local support. The cost to operate teams is costly for all teams,” says Cole.
“The key for league sustainability is to have a league that is great for travelling, has community support as well as a product on the ice that is committed and offers a … product that fans will come to watch and enjoy and have some fun. In my opinion you need local players in the lineup as well if the talent is at home.”
Cole says the THL was an important part of small-town economies.
“I recall a playoff series between Moosomin and Wawota, and the fan support was over the top with 1435 fans,” says Cole. “Even the fans would come to the Squire after games and the bar was standing room only.”
Hockey is a staple in small town Saskatchewan and the best part of the long cold winter is being at the local rink watching your town battle against a rival town.
For the likes of Odgers, Cole and Balogh, they have put their blood, sweat, tears and, and even a few beers into the THL. But unfortunately like all good things, the league has came to an end.
