Powassan Blazers on hold

The community of Powassan will have to wait at least one more season for the return of Junior 'A' hockey to their community.

In a letter to the media, Powassan Blazers official Doug Sanders stated that the club will not be able to start play in the fall of 2008.

"Due to certain circumstances the Powassan Blazers will not be able to participate in the Greater Metro Hockey League for the upcoming 2008-2009 season," Sanders said in a press release.

"We will however proceed as planned in order to join the G.M.H.L. for the 2009-2010 season, thus giving us a year to make things work to be truly successful."

Sanders recruited former Trappers bench boss John Couch to be the club's first head coach.

Powassan was the former home of the North Bay Skyhawks franchise back in the early 1990’s saw its team moved to Sturgeon Falls in 1994 after the Powassan Hawks won back to back Dudley Hewitt Cup championships in 1992 and 1993.

“I think folks down here just want good hockey back in town,” said Sanders about the community earlier this year.

To gauge the local interest the community hosted a neutral site Greater Metro Junior Hockey playoff game earlier this year.

The non-sanctioned Junior 'A' league is hoping to increase from 13 to 16 teams this fall.