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After 38 years in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), the Notre Dame Hounds are set to move to Warman for the 2025-26 season.
The SJHL has conditionally approved the move, with the relocation contingent upon approval from the Warman’s City Council along with a successful season ticket drive and corporate sponsorship drive.
Commissioner of the SJHL Kyle McIntyre issued a statement regarding the Hounds franchise relocating to Warman.
“It is bittersweet having a historical program like the Notre Dame Junior A Hounds leave the SJHL. We understand that there is a new and exciting vision for Notre Dame. We appreciate the Board’s focus on player well-being and experience and are excited about the possibility of adding a strong and progressive new leadership group to our league in Saskatchewan’s fastest growing city.”
“Thank you to the Hounds for 38 years of developing players and creating better citizens both on and off the ice.”
Co-Founders of the Warman group Cole Kachur and Jonathan Abrametz commented on the relocation of the Hounds to Warman.
“Our goal is to partner with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League to offer players an excellent experience and opportunity to showcase their talents, within a community deeply invested in their success while instilling valuable life skills beyond hockey.”
“Warman’s vibrant atmosphere, state-of-the-art arena, and enthusiasm for hockey at all levels, will make the new Warman SJHL franchise a destination for some of the top junior hockey players in Canada.”
The current iteration of the Hounds has been in the SJHL since the 1987-88 season, led by former NHLers Rod Brind’Amour and Curtis Joseph the Hounds would go on to win the SJHL championship that season.
Final league approval will take place during the SJHL’s governor’s meetings in June.