The Midwestern Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League released an e-mail stating the Owen Sound Greys Hockey Club would be ceasing operations for the upcoming 2009/10 season.
The brief e-mail stated the Greys had cited ” financial restructuring ” as the reason for their departure.
This morning, Owen Sound Greys President Bert Leeder was discouraged that the news had been leaked by the League.
Leeder relates the Greys met on Wednesday night and ” intended ” to take that course of action.
However, Leeder says the Greys wanted to follow protocol and depart in the proper manner.
As such, they informed the League and the Ontario Hockey Association ( OHA ) of their intentions and wanted instruction as to how properly to take a leave.
Before the Greys had heard anything from the OHA, the e-mail was released to various media outlets.
Regardless, Leeder says their intention to take a leave of absence from the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League remains.
Financially, the Greys operate on a yearly budget that approaches 200 thousand dollars per season.
Revenues to meet that budget were not available despite various efforts and fundraising initiatives to meet that financial target through the years.
Leeder says home dates for the upcoming season had to be submitted this weekend and as a result, the Greys felt now was the proper time to make the decision and take a leave before the schedule was drawn up.
As it stands, the Greys continue to wait for guidance from the OHA but their intention to cease operations for next season remains.
The Owen Sound Greys have been in operation since 1911.
They won the OHA Memorial Cup in 1924 and 1927.