Refunds for home games yet to be played are being automatically processed by the Mary Brown’s Centre following confirmation that the Newfoundland Growlers are no more.

The team was supposed to have played a three-game homestand against the Trois-Rivières Lions at the Mary Brown’s Centre this weekend.

The Growlers folded yesterday after the ECHL’s Board of Governors rejected Deacon Sports & Entertainment’s proposal to keep the team afloat.

Staff and players, who are now free agents, were informed of the development yesterday.

Chair of Deacon Sports & Entertainment, Dean MacDonald, told Tim Powers on VOCM yesterday he was disappointed that a deal couldn’t be struck.

MacDonald was trying to get out of the business following some health issues and thought a deal was possible.

He says Steve Leal of FixAuto, who was prepared to buy both the Lions and the Growlers, ran into some delays which the ECHL was not prepared to wait out.

“He said ‘look, I can’t close because I have to buy out my partner’ which is the Casse Depot in Quebec and he said ‘as soon as that happens,’ in fact, he issued a release last week saying ‘look, as soon as I get this solved, it’s taking a little longer than I had hoped…I want to buy these teams, and I want to support these communities,'” says MacDonald. “So that was like, perfect. The league, doesn’t want to wait. Why? I have no idea.”

St. John’s Sports & Entertainment is “extremely disappointed” with the news.

In a statement issued immediately following the news on Tuesday, the organization says it was fully engaged with the Commissioner of the ECHL and Growlers leadership in supporting efforts to reach a resolution.

St. John’s Sports & Entertainment says it understands how disheartening the news is for the community, Growlers fans and the many partners who supported the team.

It says it remains committed to “pursuing all opportunities” as it works to be the “premiere sport and entertainment” facility in the province.

The owner of the Newfoundland Embassy says the loss of the Newfoundland Growlers will be a huge blow to many downtown bars and restaurants.

The pub, which sits right across from the Mary Brown’s Centre, was a hub of activity when the team was in town, with fans grabbing a pint or bite to eat before and after every game.

Owner Niall Hickey says the Growlers were like their saving grace in the winter months when business was typically quite slow for restaurants.

“Six games a month—that’s what carried us through those hard months,” he says. “A lot of spots struggle during the off-season but for us it was always steady go, so it’s a tough hit for everyone downtown. It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure.”

Hickey is hopeful that another team will fill the vacancy, but says time is of the essence.

He’s hopeful someone will move in before the slow winter months set in. If not, things could be very difficult for many businesses in the downtown area.

Season ticket holders are at a loss after it was confirmed yesterday the Newfoundland Growlers hockey season had been suspended.

Howie Feltham, who has been a fan since their inaugural year and season ticket holder for the past three years, says fans were hoping for the best.

He says having a local pro team was more than just entertainment—it also gave him and his family an opportunity to bond.

“It was a night out,” he says. “There are people who we’ve sat with for the past three years who have become our friends.”

Feltham doesn’t think a lack of support is to blame, but says there is a pattern when it comes to sports teams in the capital city.

“We had the Leafs, we had the Fog Devils, we had the Ice Caps, we’ve had the Growlers, we’ve had the Edge and the Growlers basketball team come and go…so it seems like we get to have a bit of fun for a couple of years and then it goes belly up.”