The new executive for the provincial major midget hockey league has decided to keep the team in Corner Brook after entertaining offers from three different groups, including three based in Corner Brook and one in Deer Lake.
Earlier this year, the league had given the franchise to the group in Deer Lake, led by Junior Pinksen, but that Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador’s minor council rescinded decision.
Glen Littlejohn, president of the league, confirmed Friday morning the team’s operations have been awarded to the BradRil Group led by Craig Simms of Corner Brook.
For years, a group that included Corner Brook’s Kevin McCarthy and coach Angus Head had run the Kings.
BradRil will operate the team for the next two seasons and have an option to maintain the franchise for a third season.
Littlejohn said all three bidders were capable of operating the team and it was a tough decision to have to make. The league’s executive came up with a points system based on Article 8 of its constitution.
Littlejohn said each bid did better than others in certain areas, but the BradRil group proved to be the most consistent hen all was said and done.
“I can’t pinpoint one area that was the deciding factor,” he said.
He added he knows the other two groups are disappointed, but said the executive had to make a decision one way or another.
The decision was reached late Wednesday night and Littlejohn said Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador’s minor council approved it Thursday.
