The Manitoba AAA U18 Hockey League is set to operate this season with one less team.
The Central Plains Capitals have been granted a leave of absence for the 2021-22 season due to low registration numbers. The LOA is only for one season as it is expected that the Capitals will return for next season.
12 teams will now compete for a league title, beginning this weekend. Levi Taylor is back as the league's commissioner and he says this news was certainly disappointing.
"We always want each of our regions to be successful and have enough registration," said Taylor. "I think we're seeing the consequences of the last 20 months. Some players decided to quit hockey because there was none for more than a year, it was tough on a lot of people."
With the disappointing news comes some great news as the league will begin its regular season this weekend. The Parkland U18 Rangers open the new campaign at the Shoal Lake Communiplex as they battle the Yellowhead Chiefs to open a home-and-home on Friday.
They play their home opener on Saturday at Credit Union Place at 7:30.
Taylor says opening night is always an exciting one, especially after so little of last year's season was actually played. Parkland played just seven games, going 6-1.
"I look forward to watching the players develop throughout the season," ended Taylor. "As you go from the start of the season to a couple of months in and then early in the New Year, it's full steam ahead. It's exciting to watch the progression."
Tune into the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show on Friday after 4:00 p.m. NewsNow as Tyler Carefoot will join the program.
