Cloverdale Jr. Hockey players plead for reinstatement after PJHL suspends team operations, leaving local athletes without a place to play.
Season Cancelled Before It Began
Just days before the Cloverdale Jr. Hockey Club was set to launch its inaugural Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) season, the league abruptly suspended the team’s operations. Players were declared free to join other clubs, the Cloverdale schedule was scrapped, and the expansion team’s page was quietly removed from the PJHL website.
Players Left Without Options
For athletes who had committed to Cloverdale, the suspension means scrambling for opportunities in a season where most rosters are already full. Many of the players had returned home to play their final junior years in Cloverdale, including former Cloverdale Colts who hoped to finish their careers where they first laced up skates.
Dispute Among Team Owners
Sources close to the situation say the suspension is tied to a larger conflict among PJHL owners over whether the league should split into Tier 1 and Tier 2 divisions. A vote on the proposal failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority, resulting in a bitter divide. The Cloverdale club, insiders suggest, became collateral damage in that dispute.
Community Voices Frustration
Despite repeated inquiries, PJHL commissioner Trevor Alto has not addressed the situation publicly. The silence has left players and families frustrated, with many believing politics and paperwork are overshadowing what should be about hockey. “We just want to play,” said forward Zach Johns, a lifelong Cloverdale resident who returned from White Rock to finish his junior career at home.
Personal Sacrifices at Stake
Several players shared how they made life choices based on the team’s creation. Goaltender Ben MacLeod turned down a chance to join a contender in Ontario to return to Cloverdale. Forward Ryder Birtch joined after struggling to find a roster spot last season, viewing the new franchise as a fresh start. Now, with commitments to school, work, and housing already made, many players feel abandoned.
Hope for Reinstatement
The team has urged the community to rally in support. Players are asking residents to sign a petition, contact Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, and email the PJHL commissioner to push for reinstatement. Early exhibitions at Cloverdale Arena drew strong crowds, reinforcing community support. “Cloverdale deserves a junior team,” Johns said. “No matter how this plays out in court, the league won’t win the public relations battle.”
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
