The JRMCC Arena is operated by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

junior hockey

SJHL’s La Ronge Ice Wolves relocating to nearby First Nation next season

Feb 26, 2025 | 7:45 PM

The La Ronge Ice Wolves are relocating to the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC).

That’s according to a media release issued Wednesday by the JRMCC, stating the team’s board has approved the relocation of the team. The move takes the club less than ten minutes from La Ronge’s Mel Hegland Uniplex to the nearby Lac La Ronge Indian Band, near Air Ronge.

The Ice Wolves have called the Mel Hegland Uniplex their home since they were created in 1998. During their nearly three decades in La Ronge, the team famously won their second consecutive league championship at the Uniplex back in 2011. The team will begin play at the JRMCC at the start of next season.

Following the relocation, the Ice Wolves will continue to be owned and managed by Northern Lights Hockey Development.

“This relocation is all about ensuring the future viability of our local junior franchise,” said Team President Grant Merriman in the release.

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“It is essential that the La Ronge Ice Wolves 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 JRMCC Sports and 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.

“The La Ronge Ice Wolves would like to thank the Town of La Ronge, the staff and 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 release adds.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson remarked the First Nation is extremely excited and proud to be the new home of the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

“The growth of JRMCC over the last decade as a facility has been impressive, it is certainly the best hockey facility in the north,” she’s quoted as saying.

The Ice Wolves have three games left at the Meg Hegland Uniplex this season with back-to-back contests this weekend against the Kindersley Klippers, followed by one last rivalry game against the Flin Flon Bombers on Mar. 14.

On Feb.18, it was announced the SJHL’s Board of Governors has conditionally approved the relocation of the Notre Dame Hounds to Warman.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com