For the fifth time since the formation of the Western Hockey League, the city of Winnipeg has failed to keep a Major Junior hockey team—the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg Clubs, Winnipeg Monarchs, Winnipeg Warriors, and now the Winnipeg Ice. The individual franchise was formerly known as the Winnipeg Ice and has previously been known as the Kootenay Ice from 1998-2019 and was founded as the Edmonton Ice in 1996. The Winnipeg Ice will now be known as the Wenatchee Wild, located in Wenatchee, Washington.
In a statement released by WHL officials, there were multiple attempts by the Ice ownership to get an arena up to WHL standards in Winnipeg. None of the attempts worked, which led to the Winnipeg Ice being sold to Wenatchee.
“Unfortunately, multiple attempts by Ice ownership to construct an arena facility of acceptable WHL standards in Winnipeg, based on the agreed upon timeframes, were unsuccessful, leading to the relocation to Wenatchee.”
WHL Officials – Global News – Friday, June 16th.
Wenatchee previously owned a junior hockey team in the British Colombia Hockey League, the Wenatchee Wild, which will now play in the Western Hockey League. The previous owners of the Wenatchee Wild will move the junior A team to major junior.
The BCHL acknowledged that the ownership group of the Wenatchee Wild have acquired the Winnipeg Ice and intends to move the Wild to the WHL level. As the Wild have been a strong BCHL franchise, the BCHL will look to move the Wild elsewhere ahead of the 2023-24 season.
“The Wenatchee Wild has been a strong BCHL franchise and we extend our best wishes for their continued success in the future.”
Graham Fraser – Chairman of the BCHLs Board of Governors – Friday, June 16th.
The Winnipeg Ice tallied a career total of 166 wins, 49 losses, and 13 overtime/shootout losses. They were a dominant franchise winning 110 games and losing 26 in the previous two seasons.
