PJHL suspends Cloverdale’s inaugural junior hockey season, citing bylaw issues. Players now free to join other teams as uncertainty looms.
League Statement Ends Season Plans
The Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) announced Sept. 9 that the Cloverdale Hockey Club will not be allowed to compete in the 2025–26 season. In a brief four-sentence statement, the league declared the expansion team “not eligible to participate in PJHL-sanctioned activities.”
A Franchise Put on Hold
The Cloverdale franchise was introduced earlier this year with high expectations, even unveiling a new logo at Cloverdale Arena ahead of its inaugural campaign. Despite pre-season appearances and a full schedule, the team will now sit out its first planned year in the league.
Reasons Still Unclear
According to the PJHL, Cloverdale failed to meet “necessary league bylaws” required for membership. The league did not specify which bylaws were at issue, why the matter remained unresolved before the season began, or why games had been scheduled if eligibility was uncertain.
Possible Future Reinstatement
The PJHL noted Cloverdale’s status “may be reviewed” if the club eventually meets league requirements. Final approval would need to come from the league’s board of directors, leaving open the possibility of Cloverdale rejoining in a later season.
Impact on Players
In an effort to minimize disruption, the league confirmed that Cloverdale players are “immediately free to sign elsewhere, either with another PJHL member club or in any other junior hockey league.” The sudden change has left many young athletes scrambling for opportunities just days before the season was due to begin.
Community Response
Cloverdale was set to open on the road Sept. 4, with its first home game scheduled for Sept. 11 at The Barn. In response to the cancellation, players launched a petition to save their season, which had gathered more than 3,200 signatures by press time. League commissioner Trevor Alto has not yet responded to media inquiries.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
