The Parallel Sports Group’s bid to bring an expansion Junior B franchise to Quesnel has been turned down by the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) Governors.
The vote was 16 to three against expansion.
“I did attend the weekend meetings and participate in the discussions. Everyone was clear on and understood the bid put forward. It simply came down to a secret ballet vote and this is the outcome,” said Matt Kolle, who is part of a committee trying to bring a team to the Gold Pan city.”
Kolle says the feeling he got from the meeting however, was the Governors do believe the KIJHL will eventually operate in Quesnel and Williams Lake.
“Right now though in their minds they are hesitant to take that first step because it presents change and change is unknown. They seem to know its the right step just struggling to take it. To me, I actually believe the first step was taken when the 100 Mile House Wranglers were granted their franchise and what happens next is actually a natural progression for another division.”
Kolle adds as far as junior hockey in Quesnel is concerned they aren’t done.
He says they are going to take the next few weeks to re-evaluate their options and then make a decision as to how to proceed.
– with files from George Henderson, My Cariboo Now