Urgent: Cloverdale Hockey Club Scrubbed from PJHL Website

BREAKING: The Cloverdale Hockey Club’s future is hanging by a thread as it has been abruptly removed from the PJHL website, raising alarms just days before its season opener. Originally slated to debut at The Barn on the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on September 11, the team’s inaugural match against the Surrey Knights on September 4 is now in serious jeopardy.

Sources indicate that the PJHL may be withdrawing Cloverdale from the league entirely amid intense disputes among franchise owners over the proposed separation into Junior A Tier 1 and Junior A Tier 2 divisions. “This is a massive fight among owners,” a confidential source revealed. “And they’ve put the kids in the middle.”

The discord follows a failed vote during summer league meetings that sought to establish the tiered structure, which did not achieve the required two-thirds majority, resulting in an 8-7 decision against the split. The PJHL has yet to formally announce this significant outcome, leaving stakeholders in the dark as the situation escalates.

Chris McNally, principal owner of the White Rock Whalers and representative for the seven owners opposing the tiering split, confirmed the removal of Cloverdale from the league’s official listings. “My focus is making sure the Cloverdale franchise has a chance to play in our league,” he stated, emphasizing the need to support the players affected by these administrative decisions.

Cloverdale has been operational since being awarded the franchise in May 2023, engaging in pre-season games and trade activities, and even clinching a 2-1 victory over Surrey Knights as recently as August 31. The City of Surrey has invested taxpayer money to enhance The Barn, further complicating the potential fallout if the franchise is revoked.

McNally expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from PJHL leadership, stating, “I don’t think there’s a good reason for them to not be playing.” He highlighted that if Cloverdale’s franchise status is indeed stripped, around 20 young players would be left scrambling for alternative hockey opportunities just months before the season’s start.

Adding to the urgency, the City of Surrey has been approached for comments regarding potential actions to recover costs associated with the arena upgrades should the Cloverdale team be sidelined. The implications for local communities and youth players are profound, as McNally pointed out—the league is not merely an assembly of owners but a community-driven entity that must prioritize its players and families.

As the situation develops, all eyes are on the PJHL and its leadership. What will happen next? Will Cloverdale manage to secure its place in the league? McNally remains hopeful, stating, “I won’t stop fighting for them.”

The Cloverdale Reporter is actively seeking updates from the PJHL and will report back as new information becomes available. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated, as it impacts the lives and futures of young athletes ready to compete.