By Troy Gillard (With file from Wylie Henderson)

WHL approves Kootenay Ice move to Winnipeg

Jan 28, 2019 | 7:58 PM

The Kootenay ICE are leaving Cranbrook.

This morning, the team and WHL confirmed long-circulating rumours that they’re heading to Winnipeg in time to start next season.

The announcement came from WHL commissioner Ron Robison, who was joined by ICE majority owner Greg Fettes as well as president and GM Matt Cockell.

Robison says keeping the team in the Cranbrook market was no longer sustainable. “After a lengthy assessment, which extends back many seasons, we’ve reached the conclusion that we need to relocate the franchise in order for it to be sustainable on a long-term basis.”

Robison says the league has no regrets about coming to Cranbrook and is very happy with the support they received since coming to the East Kootenay in 1998. He adds the WHL is still committed to making smaller-market franchises viable.

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“We’ve had success in Swift Current and Prince Albert, the margin of error there is very, very narrow,” says Robison. “They have to be successful both on and off the ice on a consistent basis in order to sustain it.”

Fettes says the idea to relocate to Winnipeg began to gain traction with the ownership group last summer.

“Really, the idea of getting serious about this possibility came when we took a step back in the summer, and kind of built momentum from there on.”

Cockell says a turning point was last summer’s season ticket drive falling short of expectations. The team set out to sell 2,500 season tickets but only sold 1,700.

“I think really in the summer of year two [of their ownership tenure] when we continued to push on that drive to 2,500 and we saw regression, it gave us pause.”

Cockell says they’re planning to celebrate the ICE’s history in Cranbrook before the season ends.

The ICE brought the Memorial Cup to Cranbrook in 2002 and are three-time WHL champions.

Red Deer Rebels forwards Cameron Hausinger and Brett Davis, acquired in a trade with Kootenay on Nov. 30, shared their thoughts on the announcement prior to practice Tuesday afternoon.

“I can’t say it’s really surprising,” said Hausinger. “It’s good that they finally came out with it. A lot of people had questions and we were questioned a lot while we were there. For a lot of people and a lot of fans it’s kind of a weight off their shoulders knowing that they’re finally going to be gone.

“I loved it. My billets made it really special for me,” he added. “I don’t think I’ve ever been part of a small town like that but it was definitely really cool to be in that atmosphere and that area.”

“I think it’s going to be a sad day for the city and the diehard fans,” Davis admitted. “But at the end of the day it’s what’s best for the organization. Moving forward I think they’ll be pretty successful there (Winnipeg).”

Davis, who is from Winnipeg, is confident the city has enough room for another hockey team to join the NHL Jets and AHL Manitoba Moose.

“Yeah, I think so. With all their sports teams there they always seem to have pretty good fans there and get pretty good crowds. So I wouldn’t be too worried if I were them (owners).”

The final Kootenay ICE game goes March 17 versus the Red Deer Rebels.

(Written with file from Wylie Henderson – Twitter: @WylieHenderson)