The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Board of Governors has conditionally approved the relocation of the Notre Dame Hounds to the community of Warman for the 2025-26 season.
The relocation is contingent upon approval by Warman City Council and a successful season ticket and corporate sponsorship drive in the community.
Should the relocation be approved, all Notre Dame list assets and active players eligible for the 2025-26 SJHL season will be transferred to the Warman SJHL franchise.
The modern SJHL Hounds have been part of the SJHL since 1987. For nearly 38 years, the Hounds have provided outstanding opportunities for young men to pursue their academic and hockey futures while playing in one of Canada’s top Junior A leagues.
With the sincere interest of maintaining Notre Dame’s stellar reputation, keeping a premier player experience at the forefront, the Notre Dame Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to discontinue Junior A Programming at Wilcox.
Commissioner Kyle McIntyre commented on the relocation:
“It is bittersweet having a historical program like the Notre Dame Junior A Hounds leave the SJHL. 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 and are excited about the possibility of 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 both on and off the ice.”
“Our goal is to partner with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League 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,” said Warman Co-Founders Cole Kachur and Jonathan Abrametz.
“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.”
Final league approval will take place at the league’s Annual General Meeting in June.
Further details to come in the coming months.
