The Dawson Creek Canucks are officially back in the North Peace Hockey League after getting unanimous approval at a spring meeting of the league last weekend.
The Canucks rejoined the area's senior men's hockey league this season after a three-year hiatus and, like all first-year teams, played the season on probation.
While the team was granted full-member status, several at the meeting wondered what lay ahead for the Canucks.Canucks director Brent Newman told reps from the eight other teams present and league president Jack McAvoy that there might be the possibility that, in the future, the team would vie for a provincial title, but presently those championships conflict with the NPHL playoffs.
As well, Newman also had to deal with concerns from other teams that being affiliated with the Allan Cup champion Fort St. John Flyers was upsetting the parity of the league.
The Flyers were ineligible to enter the league playoffs as they were carded as an AAA team and hosting the Allan Cup, but some Canucks were eligible to join the Flyers for the Allan Cup. The Flyers have not announced if they will be an AAA team again this coming season to defend their Allan Cup title.
However, Newman pointed out that Dawson Creek had just one player sent from Fort St. John who was an impact player, while others at the meeting defended the local team and pointed out that all teams bring in players and one can't blame the Canucks or any club for wanting to improve.
With files from Chris Clegg, South Peace News.
