No fine issued over arena: Winnipeg Ice, WHL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/12/2022 (739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Ice and Western Hockey League say no fine was levied against the team for missing a key deadline to build a new arena in the city.

The league and the local franchise released statements Saturday refuting a Free Press story earlier this week that the Ice had been assessed a $500,000 fine.

The reports “are false and inaccurate,” the WHL said. “The Winnipeg ICE have assembled a highly-competitive team this season and the WHL continues to work with the ICE regarding a solution to the Club’s long-term plans for a suitable facility in Winnipeg.”

The league said more information would be released in the new year.

The local organization stated it was “not and has never been fined by the Western Hockey League.

“…the Winnipeg ICE were not asked to comment or confirm any facts relating to these alleged fines. For the Winnipeg Free Press to make such an explosive allegation without even attempting to contact the Winnipeg ICE or the Western Hockey League to confirm these allegations is deeply troublesome.”

The franchise relocated to Winnipeg from Cranbrook, B.C., in time for the 2019-20 season, with the team playing out of Wayne Fleming Arena on the University of Manitoba campus.

Initially, a plan was set to build a new home for the Ice in south Winnipeg, however, that has yet to materialize.

Several sources told the Free Press the franchise was penalized for failing to have a new building ready for the 2023-24 campaign.

League-leading Winnipeg (25-4-0) hosts the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings (12-16-3) at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.