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North Carruthers Division welcomes Muskoka to PJHL, possibly moving other teams

February 1, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The North Carruthers Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League will see a new team in the 2024 /25 season line-up.

The Muskoka Bears Jr. C Hockey Club has been accepted and has signed up for its inaugural season.

With the franchise fee payment, the club was brought into the 62-team PJHL.

The Bears are a Bracebridge-based team. They’re a not-for-profit club that is community-funded and organized, replicating a highly successful model within the PJHL. Eight members of the management team and five additional advisory committee members have a financial investment in the franchise.

Sponsors, donors, and fans will be relied on to provide 100 per cent of the funding necessary to operate the team. To date, stimulated by creative, inclusive marketing initiatives and community interest and participation, $70,000 has been raised. A similar amount pledged over the next few months, the club says, will guarantee a successful first-year launch.

The Bears are expected to play their first game in September 2024.

It is interesting to note the official announcement of this addition to the PJHL lists future rivalries but omits a couple of teams.

While Huntsville, Orillia, Midland, Alliston, Stayner, Penetang, and Innisfil are listed as teams in the division, Schomberg and Caledon are not mentioned.

Nothing has been announced officially, but rumours indicate both Caledon and Schomberg are being moved to different divisions to the east.

However, there is considerable pushback from both clubs who want to remain in the North Carruthers Division.

The PJHL has not yet announced the League line-up for the 2024-25 season.

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