The Milton Menace will be without one of their key opponents next season.
The Buffalo Jr. Sabres announced recently that they will be taking next year off due to the COVD-19 outbreak.
The decision was made in compliance with border restrictions set between both the Canadian and American federal governments.
Menace Team Owner and President Jason Tryfon explains how he felt when he first heard the news.
In their inaugural season, the Milton Menace played the Sabres on a near-monthly basis.
Tryfon says that while they’ll miss the Sabres, the team will still have plenty of rivalries within Halton.
The OJHL is looking to expand with two more teams in the near future. It will be done through an expansion program and two communities will be awarded OJHL teams.
League Commissioner Marty Savoy had this to say:
“The momentum & success of our league over the past few years is a direct result of the strength of our current franchise ownership group and the many key initiatives we have implemented recently to broaden the exposure, reach and success of our league. With the impressive accomplishments and efforts of our two new franchises in Milton & Collingwood building their brands and fan base in those communities, the time is now for our league to take the next step to expand its ownership group and add two additional teams to our league to continue our vision plan for ‘excellence’ in Ontario hockey at the Junior A level”
Menace President Jason Tryfon offered his thoughts.
The program provides the opportunity for qualified new ownership groups to apply to the OJHL as a new expansion team(s) to operate within the geographical boundaries of the Ontario Hockey Association.
The program will include the opportunity for current Ontario Hockey Association member teams at the Junior “B” and Junior “C” categories to apply to be re-categorized at the Junior “A” level for competition in the OJHL.
It has been a busy summer for Tryfon and the Menace. After missing the playoffs in their first season in the league, General Manager Dan Del Monte went out and added size, skill, and veteran grit. You can read more about that here.
Tryfon was also named to the OJHL Board of Directors.
He comments on his new position.
With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, Milton hockey fans may be wondering when the OJHL season is set to start up. While the NHL eases it’s way into the Stanley Cup Playoffs with bubble cities like Toronto and Edmonton, the smaller leagues juggle with ideas for the 2020-2021 season.
Tryfon says a plan is in place, and it may be announced soon.
Stay up-to-date on the latest and most in-depth Milton Menace coverage by subscribing to our daily newsletter here.
