A major stepping stone for aspiring hockey players in the province is shutting down.
The Grand Falls-Windsor Traction Central Impact is officially withdrawing from the provincial Under-18 AAA hockey league.
The team had been part of the circuit since the 2019-20 season, stepping in after the Central Ice Pak folded two years prior.
Darren Halleron, President of the AAA Midget Hockey League, says the executive is working with the appropriate partners and teams still in the league to address the effects that Central’s withdrawal will have. He says the league is looking at all options.
The departure leaves the provincial league with just four active teams in St. John’s, Harbour Grace and Corner Brook.
