SASKATOON — Approval from the Warman City Council is needed to complete the relocation of the Notre Dame Hounds. The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Board of Governors conditionally approved the move for the 2025-2026 season.
According to the SJHL website, the Warman City Council’s approval must be supported by successful season ticket sales and corporate sponsorship to complete the transfer from Wilcox to the community 25 kilometres north of Saskatoon. Final league approval will occur at the Annual General Meeting in June — further details to come in the coming months.
In a statement, Warman franchise co-founders Jonathan Abrametz and Cole Kachur said they are excited to bring top-notch junior hockey that could attract fans from nearby Saskatoon, Martensville and other nearby towns.
“Warman’s vibrant atmosphere, state-of-the-art arena, and enthusiasm for hockey at all levels will make the new Warman SJHL franchise a destination for some of the top junior hockey players in Canada,” said Abrametz.
“Our goal is to partner with the [SJHL] to offer players an excellent experience and opportunity to showcase their talents within a community deeply invested in their success while instilling valuable life skills beyond hockey,” added Kachur.
The Hounds, founded in 1933, last won the SJHL crown in the 2001-2002 season. They had an incredible run in 1988, where they successfully defended their SJHL title on their way to being the Junior A national champions after beating the Halifax Lions for the Centennial Cup.
That same year, the Hounds were awarded the Abbott Cup for being the Western Canada Junior “A” ice hockey champions and defeated Manitoba Junior Hockey League champions Winnipeg South Blues for the Anavet Cup.
The Hounds had been part of the SJHL since 1987, allowing junior hockey players to pursue their education while honing their skills by competing in one of the country’s top Junior A hockey leagues. The Notre Dame Board of Directors, despite their interest in maintaining its reputation of keeping premier experience, decided to discontinue the Junior A hockey program at Wilcox.
SJHL Commissioner Kyle McIntyre said the Notre Dame Board of Directors’ decision was bittersweet since the Hounds had a storied history, which included producing quality players who made their mark in the NHL.
“We understand that there is a new and exciting vision for Notre Dame. We appreciate the Board’s focus on player well-being and experience. We are excited about possibly adding a strong and progressive new leadership group to our league in Saskatchewan’s fastest-growing city. Thank you to the Hounds for 38 years of developing players and creating better citizens on and off the ice,” said McIntyre.
