Players Forgo Pay to Save Season

For the last several seasons, the Central West Senior Hockey League teams have struggled financially.  Things such as low attendance at the gates, player’s salaries and travel costs have all contributed to the state of affairs we now see.  The Corner Brook Royals had dropped from the league for the 2016-2017 season and the Gander Flyers had basically folded near the end of the season, forcing a shortened season.

This year, play was highly unlikely, but the Clarenville Caribous, Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts and the Gander Flyers decided at the last minute to lace their skates up again and take to the ice.  Things have not been great this season, with dwindling attendance, missing imports to draw fans and teams struggling both on & off the ice.

This has forced the players for the Clarenville Caribous to take drastic measures and continue to play this season without compensation.

The Clarenville Caribous have released this press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Clarenville Ford Caribous Players Step Up To Allow Team to Continue Season

Clarenville, January 15th, 2018 – The Clarenville Ford Caribous Hockey Club has faced financial hardships in recent years, with the ongoing decline of fan support. That hardship reached a cross-roads for the 2017-18 season last week, with a meeting between Caribous General Manager Ivan Hapgood, Chairperson Derek MacPhee and Team Captain Dustin Russell.

At this meeting it was discussed if the organization could continue its operations. Things are extremely grim, and it was asked if anyone had any ideas on what could be done to cut additional operational costs. Before the meeting ended, it was decided to approach the players to let them know the gravity of the situation and discuss if any new options that haven’t been brought to the table yet could be found.

Captain Dustin Russell spoke with the senior players, and after subsequent discussions with all players on the team, Captain Russell came back with the team decision that players would continue the season without any pay or compensation to ensure that hockey remains in Clarenville.

The Clarenville Ford Caribous Organization are extremely thankful that the players took the initiative to continue without compensation. This was a leadership team decision.

The Clarenville Ford Caribous are a staple in the community and we are very grateful that hockey will continue for the remainder of the 2017-18 season at the Eastlink Events Centre.

The Clarenville Ford Caribous will play on home ice this upcoming weekend (January 20th / 21st) against the visiting Pugliesvich Southern Shore Breakers and Hickman Chrysler Blues. Any fan support would be much appreciated, and the team would like to thank the community for their continued support.

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Media Contact

Caribous General Manager
Ivan Hapgood
709-425-0072