The vice president of the provincial Under-18 AAA hockey league says the Central Impact lost three to five players ahead of the season, forcing the Grand Falls-Windsor team to fold.

The franchise had been a stepping stone in the community for years, but announced late last week that it was shutting down – leaving the league with just four active teams.

Vice President Darren Halloran says many of the departing players left to play out of province, believing there are greater opportunities elsewhere.

“They were competitive. They think they were 2-2 during the weekend, or they might have even been 3-2,” he told VOCM Open Line with Brian Callahan.

“But, it’s that kind of thing that the players aren’t supporting what’s going on, and then the parents are thinking that they have the next Sidney Crosby. It’s great to dream, but we have a league here that you can develop for one or two years. You don’t have to run away.”

He says the cost to play – at $12 to 15-thousand per season – is worth the money, if the players choose to stay.