Junior A hockey in Quesnel is on the verge of extinction.
On Saturday, the ownership group of the Quesnel Millionaires accepted an offer from the Chiefs Development Group to relocate to Chilliwack for the 2011-12 B.C. Hockey League season. In the past two seasons, the Millionaires lost $300,000. And, with a plan to build a replacement facility for the aging Quesnel Twin Arenas stalled, the 15 owners of the Mills decided they could no longer operate the franchise.
"The ownership group of the Quesnel Millionaires is very saddened to have to take this step," said a message on the Mills' website. "However, the severe financial losses the group has sustained over the last two years combined with the lack of a firm date for the new multicentre has made this decision necessary."
The relocation is subject to approval by the BCHL board of governors. A vote is expected to happen sometime in the next two weeks.
"If this offer is not accepted by the League, the Millionaires will voluntarily withdraw from the British Columbia Hockey League," the website posting said.
"The move to Chilliwack will be very positive for our players. They will have the opportunity to play in a beautiful building with a first class organization."
Chilliwack's Prospera Centre holds nearly 5,000 fans. The Western Hockey League's Chilliwack Bruins were the building's major tenant but received league approval last month to move to Victoria for 2011-12.
Chilliwack hasn't had a BCHL team since the Chilliwack Chiefs jumped to Langley at the conclusion of the 2005-06 season. Their move to Langley coincided with the arrival of the Bruins in Chilliwack.
The Millionaires were the closest geographical rival of the Prince George Spruce Kings and their departure -- either through relocation or withdrawal -- leaves the Kings as the only BCHL club in the northern part of the province. Merritt, home of the Centennials, has the next-closest team.
Spruce Kings president Darcy Buryn previously told The Citizen the loss of the Millionaires would increase the travel costs of his club.
"If the Millionaires are not playing in Quesnel anymore, that would obviously make things that much more difficult, but we'd certainly find a way to adapt our process to deal with it," Buryn said.
In the past, the Spruce Kings played five road games per season in Quesnel. Without that stop, 116 kilometres away, Buryn estimated the team will be forced to be on the road an additional four to seven nights, which will add more than $10,000 to the club's annual costs.
