The demise of the Newfoundland Growlers

To the ECHL on the demise of the Newfoundland Growlers: It’s Saturday, April 6, 2024, and I am settling in to watch the Toronto and Montreal NHL game.

For some reason, my chair is not as comfortable as it usually is, and my focus is not on the game, as I cannot shake the uneasy feeling that I should be somewhere else. I should be at the Mary Brown’s Centre watching Game 2 of the weekend series between the Newfoundland Growlers and the Trois Rivieres Lions as both teams battle for a playoff spot in the North Division of the ECHL Eastern Conference.

My mind finally remembers that on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, the ECHL unceremoniously dumped/booted the Newfoundland Growlers from the league with only six games left in the regular season.

This appeared to be out of the blue and sent deep disappointment through the city and the team’s dedicated fan base.

The decision makes no sense. Was it a cruel April Fool’s Day joke, albeit a day late?

This was the fifth season of the franchise. While fans may not be privy to all the business and “political” side of the game, there probably have been, as with everything in life, some management, personality, financial and geographic challenges with the running of any business in Newfoundland, including the Growlers.

One does not give up, and people work towards a solution. That mantra has served Newfoundland well for over 500 years. In fact, a solution was found for the Trois Rivieres Lions, who were also faced with the same deadlines.

Reports indicated that Deacon Sports owed $1 million related to the operation of the team located there. It was clear that the Growlers, who reportedly owed less than $100,000 to the City of St. John’s, were sacrificed by the league to save the Lions. One has to ask why a solution for them and not us?

This decision makes no sense, given only six games remained before the playoffs.

The season could have been completed with playoffs as required, and a final decision made prior to next season if a solution could not be reached. One has to ask, what was the rush?

As the St. John’s Board of Trade noted, hockey success is measured in wins, banners and championships, and as you know, the Newfoundland Growlers packed the house during its run towards becoming the winner of the 2019 Kelly Cup; but hockey is much more than that, it is community.

The Board of Trade also correctly noted that hockey provided memories between family and friends during game nights, visits to the schools and hospitals, and the donations made to numerous charities across the province.

It was also the jobs directly and indirectly created in our city through many organizations, suppliers, and businesses located in downtown St. John’s that benefited from the activity created on game nights.

We cannot change who we are or change where we live, and the legacy of the Growlers will always be part of us. On behalf of the City of St. John’s and the fans of the Growlers, I can only hope that the words ECHL commissioner Ryan Crelin noted in his April 2 press release are true where he states that he is saddened to lose the Newfoundland market.

I guess misery does indeed enjoy company. He goes on to state that he is hopeful hockey can return to the region for the benefit of all.

I guess, as with the Toronto Maple Leafs, hope springs eternal.

Roger Haynes Growlers season ticket holder and member of Growlers Nation

St. John’s