Notre Dame Hounds might leave hometown after 4 decades for fresh start in Warman, Sask.: SJHL

The Notre Dame Hounds are set to leave their hometown after almost four decades for a new start in Warman, Sask.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday that its board of governors have approved the move. The team has called the town of Wilcox, Sask., about 45 kilometres southwest of Regina, home since 1987.

That could change in the 2025-26 SJHL season.

The sale is still waiting approval by Warman city council and the SJHL. If all goes to plan, the players on their protected list and coaching staff will be relocating. 

"It's a little bittersweet," said Wade Klippenstein, the director of hockey development at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (AMCND) in Wilcox. "People knew that the business side of it was a struggle, and we knew eventually that if things didn't change we could be here at this point."

Final decision coming in March

Warman city council will make the final decision in March after hearing from the town's citizens over the next few weeks. 

The plan is also contingent on a successful season ticket sale and corporate sponsorship drive in the community, which will likely take place over social media in the coming weeks.

SJHL's Notre Dame Hounds looking at move to Warman

3 days ago

Duration 2:58

After 38 years in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the Notre Dame Hounds could be relocating to Warman. The league has conditionally approved the move. Kyle McIntyre, the SJHL commissioner, joins The 306's Peter Mills to talk about the move.

The SJHL said Warman has been asking the league for an expansion franchise for a year.

"The traditions are things that we want to build on," said Gary Philipchuk, Warman's mayor. "We want to build a fan base and keep that excellence within our community and within this team.

"It's another focus for us in the sense that it's another reason to come to Warman and see all that we have to offer."

Possible arena upgrades in the works

Warman's arena is only a decade old, but the city is considering upgrades to the space if the move is finalized. 

Philipchuk said the number of seats could be increased and a press box added. The arena currently holds 1,178 seated visitors and 500 standing.

In its first year, the Hounds won both the Innovative Cup and the Centennial Cup. That team showcased players who would make it big in the NHL, including Curtis Joseph and Rod Brind'Amour. They were coached by Barry MacKenzie.

The SJHL says it's looking forward to a fresh start in Warman.

"We've held our SJHL showcases there probably for the last seven or eight years, and we always are really embraced by the community," Kyle McIntyre, the SJHL's league commissioner, said. "We have very good community support and interest. We have great attendance at our games."

McIntyre confirmed the decision to relocate was first brought up after the hockey program at AMCND changed leadership and reassessed their program, identifying a new vision for the school.

The current programs at AMCND are set to continue as usual.