Straits minor hockey association president upset with HNLs arbitrary decision

ST. BARBE - Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL) has taken away a provincial hockey tournament from the Straits and given it to Corner Brook, a city which didn't even apply to host the event.

Meanie Pafford, president of Straits Minor Hockey, isn't pleased.

She explained that Port aux Basques and the Straits Arena in St. Barbe applied for the midget AAA and peewee AAA provincial tournaments. Straits was awarded the peewee tournament on Sept. 7, while Port aux Basque got the nod for the midget tournament.

"All the associations attended this meeting, the rooming arrangements were explained and there was no objections," said Ms. Pafford.

The tournament was scheduled for Feb. 29-March 2.

On Jan. 10, Pafford said she got a call from Marilyn Dawe, chairperson of HNL's minor council, informing her the tournament had been pulled from Straits and relocated to Corner Brook. Meanwhile, reservations had been made at two local motels, the Labrador team had plane tickets reserved for St. Anthony Airport and the stadium was counting on $4,000 in revenue from the tournament.

"She gave me no valid explanation why," said Pafford. "She made a comment about not having a player from Straits on the Western team...the team was picked on Nov. 7. Why were we not notified at that time?"

Pafford said she contacted four of the six teams planning on attending the tournament and the only complaint she heard was from the St. John's team, which expressed a concern about the distance to travel.

"I thought that Newfoundland extended past the overpass and that the Northern Peninsula was a part of the west coast," said Pafford. "And since this is a provincial tournament, it could be held anywhere in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Dawe, who was involved in the decision, was not available for comment. HNL executive director Craig Tulk said he was not well-versed on the specifics of the decision, but said the three reasons were "accommodations, required officials and the western team as host. There's not many players from the Northern Peninsula on this team."

He was not able to comment further.

Meanwhile, Straits Arena manager Oswald Gould, said cancelling this tournament and losing the revenue it would bring is a big blow to a stadium that's still getting back on its feet.

"It's a lot of money to the stadium and losing the tournament on such short notice is a big economic detriment to the area. As well, we think their excuse is pretty lame."