Slammers taking leave of absence

Won’t play in 2018-19 MHL season

The Woodstock Slammers have announced that they will be taking a leave of absence from the MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) for the 2018-19 season.

The club has been a member of the league since 2003, the last 12 of those years under the direction of the River Valley Hockey Club Inc.

“Due to a combination of factors, it is no longer in the best interest of our organization to continue operations,” said Slammers president Wes Corey in a prepared statement. “This absence will allow for the potential sale of the franchise, and/or provide the opportunity for a new individual or group in Woodstock to assume control of team operations.”

Corey went on to thank the Slammers’ loyal fans, billets, volunteers, team staff and the Town of Woodstock for their dedication.

The MHL has been formally advised of the Slammers’ decision.

“This is a sad day for the MHL,” said league president Brian Whitehead.

“The Slammers have been an integral part of the league’s history, and we sincerely hope to see the strong tradition of junior A hockey in the Woodstock area continued somehow,’’ he said.

“We will continue to do anything that is viable to support all of our teams.”

Since joining the MHL, the Slammers have captured three league playoff championships, one Fred Page Cup Eastern Canadian junior A championship and, in 2012, a silver medal at the RBC Cup Canadian junior A championship.