The Medicine Hat Cubs celebrate after defeating the Cochrane Generals in overtime of a Heritage Junior Hockey League game on Dec. 22, 2019 at the Kinplex.--NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken
The Medicine Hat Cubs may take the ice this season after all.
The local junior B team made the decision to opt out of the upcoming Heritage Junior Hockey League season in late June due to diminishing sponsorship revenues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Cubs president Richard Fritzler said the decision could potentially be reversed if a major sponsor were to step up. Although that hasn’t happened, Fritzler now says there are a number of topics up for discussion at the team’s public annual general meeting on Aug. 6 that leave him feeling confident about the club’s chances to stay in the HJHL for 2020-21.
“The way it sounds, I would say there is a very good chance, if there’s a half-season, yes we will be playing,” said Fritzler. “But we’ll know more about that Aug. 6.”
The HJHL has stated any clubs that opt out of the 2020-21 season will not face consequences from the league, though players cannot be protected through the hiatus. As a result, the decision to opt out would force every returning player on Medicine Hat’s roster to find a place to play for the upcoming season, while leaving the Cubs rebuilding from the ground up.
Since making the decision to opt out of the upcoming season last month, Fritzler says he’s been presented with new information that could help the team stay afloat through the pandemic, from potential sponsorship opportunities to player families stepping up to help foot the bill or organize fundraisers – all of which will be on the table at the team’s AGM.
“I didn’t realize it, because I learned it (after opting out of 2020-21),” he said of finding out player families would help in the effort to keep next season alive. “That’s going to be discussed Aug. 6.”
Fritzler added there will be a number of other topics up for discussion at the AGM – which will be held at First Assembly of God church on Ninth Street SE – as well as elections for new board members.
“If anyone is interested in being on the board, come out,” said Fritzler, adding the team’s financial statement will be handed out at the AGM as well. “Whoever wants it can have it. Otherwise, it’s just ordinary business.”
The Cubs’ AGM will begin at 7 p.m. on Aug. 6. Those attending are asked to use the church’s Fourth Avenue SE entrance.
