Toronto Maple Leafs ECHL affiliate Newfoundland Growlers set to fold

PUBLICATION

James Connelly
March 27, 2024 (6:06 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Toronto Maple Leafs ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers, are set to fold due to financial complications alongside the Trois-Rivières Lions.

Professional hockey is one of the pillars of many communities all throughout Canada. However, a pair of ECHL teams are struggling to combat rising costs and could be folding very soon due to bankruptcy.

Awful news for Canadian hockey, as they are likely losing two more professional hockey teams � the Newfoundland Growlers and Trois-Rivieres Lions � both in the ECHL � due to bankruptcy.

The clubs, which are the second-tier affiliates of the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens, respectively, are majority-owned by Deacon Sports and Entertainment, which is nearing bankruptcy and owes the city of Trois-Rivière more than $600K.

They are at risk of folding before the 2023-24 season is even finished.

The ECHL has set a deadline for DSE to sell the clubs by April 2. However, the sale of both franchises is unexpected to happen in time. The ECHL's board of governors, led by commissioner Ryan Crelin, will meet Tuesday to decide whether to allow them to play out the season. Regardless, the league will absorb ownership of the two franchises after the April 2 deadline.

Both franchises could go under shortly and within the coming days would be absorbed by the ECHL. The Growlers, established in 2018, have won an ECHL championship while the Lions, established in 2021, have yet to see as much success.

Notably, notorious former NHLer Matt Cooke is the head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers.

As seen on Hockey Patrol:

Newfoundland Growlers in danger of folding tie due to bankruptcy