The La Ronge Ice Wolves Junior A Hockey Club and JRMCC Sports & Recreation are pleased to announce that the team’s board, Northern Lights Hockey Developments Inc., has unanimously approved the team’s relocation to the JRMCC Arena. Northern Lights Hockey Development will continue to own and manage the team.
The team will relocate from the Mel Hegland Uniplex at the end of the season. Meanwhile, JRMCC Sports & Recreation will begin facility renovations and capital purchases in preparation for the start of the 2025-2026 season, including a new dressing room, coach’s offices, player bench expansion, and a new hanging score clock.
“This relocation is all about ensuring the future viability of our local junior franchise,” said Team President Grant Merriman. “The La Ronge Ice Wolves must play in a more modern facility; we believe this move will strengthen our sponsorship, improve attendance, increase season and game-day ticket sales, and help with player recruitment.”
The Mel Hegland Uniplex, aka “The Mel,” has been a massive part of the Ice Wolves’ story. Countless memories have been created within its walls for the players,
fans, and families for over a quarter of a century. The La Ronge Ice Wolves would like to thank
the Town of La Ronge, the staff, and the Councils, past and present, for their years of support. We
are still the La Ronge Ice Wolves, and you are still a part of the pack.
The JRMCC Arena was constructed in 2005 and majorly expanded in 2016.
JRMCC Sports & Recreation is again seeking a second expansion to the
building. For now, JRMCC will begin planning renovations to accommodate the team’s immediate needs. “We are extremely excited and proud to be the new home of the La Ronge
Ice Wolves hockey club”, stated Tammy Cook-Searson, chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
“The growth of JRMCC over the last decade as a facility has been impressive; it is certainly the best hockey facility in the north.”
The Ice Wolves are a community-owned Junior “A” team based out of the Tri-Community of La
Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. They are the two-time league champions
and play out of the Sherwood Division in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).
(Ice Wolves Press Release)
