Hockey league eyes Cold Lake as part of expansion plans

The Western States Hockey League (WSHL) is looking to expand from the United States into Canada and Cold Lake is being eyed as a possible home for a new Junior A team.

It is the City of Cold Lake’s understanding that the WSHL is working to establish the new Western Provinces Hockey League (WPHL) to facilitate the expansion for the 2018-2019 season, and is eyeing six to eight communities in Western Canada as homes for the new Junior A Tier-2 level teams.

“We have been approached by some people who are part of this proposed expansion,” Mayor Craig Copeland said.  “We are supportive of any organization who wants to call Cold Lake home and will work with them to help them see their plans become a success.”

The city’s understanding is that the new league is working with internal partners to establish an ownership structure for the new teams before arrangements for the final homes are made.

“The WSHL is focused on giving its players the coaching and exposure they need to further their hockey careers and pursue scholarships,” Copeland said. “This level of hockey will be enjoyed by Cold Lake hockey fans, and provide exciting new partnership opportunities for our existing sports associations, the Cold Lake Junior B Ice, as well as our local players.”