08/14/2025
Public Statement — Gananoque Sr. Islanders
On behalf of Owner Jeff McEwen and General Manager/Coach Tom Dickson
It is with great sadness that the ownership group of the Gananoque Sr. Islanders announces that the team will discontinue operations and withdraw from the NPHL formerly known as ESOHL -Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League.
For four remarkable seasons, our team had the immense privilege of being a part of the Gananoque community—culminating in the memorable 2023–24 championship. That victory remains a pinnacle moment for us—not just because we brought home the title, but because it was achieved together, as a dedicated family on and off the ice.
We extend our deepest gratitude to:
• Our generous sponsors – Without your support over the years, none of this would have been possible. Thank you for investing in our mission, our players, and our entire community.
• The players, Your dedication has been nothing short of inspiring. You gave your time, your energy, and your hearts—often sacrificing evenings, weekends, and precious moments with loved ones to wear the Islanders crest. You played through adversity, celebrated victories, and stood together as brothers. You weren’t just part of a roster—you became part of a family. Once an Islander, always an Islander. That pride and bond will last a lifetime.
• The families of our players, whose unwavering support provided the foundation for our team’s success.
• Our dedicated staff, whose passion and professionalism shaped both our on-ice performance and team culture.
• Our volunteers, whose tireless efforts made home games memorable and seamless, game after game.
• The Gananoque community, simply for allowing us to be part of this town—and for the immense pride we felt in calling it home.
• The wider hockey community, including the Royals and GMHA organizations, for your collegial spirit and support throughout our journey.
Though we discontinue operations, the spirit we’ve built—fueled by teamwork, camaraderie, and community pride—will endure in the hearts of everyone who played, volunteered, and cheered for us.
It is especially bittersweet that with this closure, Gananoque stands without a higher level of hockey for the first time since 1972—a reminder of how much this team has meant to our community, and how deeply it will be missed.
Thank you, Gananoque, for four extraordinary seasons and a championship that will forever shine in our collective memory.
