The Canadian International Hockey League (CIHL) was a Canadian independent Junior ice hockey league based in Northern Ontario , Central Ontario , and the Greater Toronto Area .
18-655: The CIHL was officially announced on April 8, 2014 with the unveiling of its website. The league was started by Tim Clayden, owner of the Espanola Rivermen , a team that just finished their first year in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and then left. In May 2014, the league was accepted into the Amateur Athletic Union 's United Hockey Union. The AAU provides insurance and oversight to its leagues, but
36-613: A week, the CIHL experienced an exodus of teams, seeing Colborne, Collingwood, Milton and Toronto leaving the league to form their own AAU-sanctioned World United Hockey League (WUHL). The St. Charles Spirit folded days later. The Collingwood Ice would also fold after playing nine games in the WUHL. In late November, the CIHL announced the formation of the Markstay-Warren Spirit Warriors , a new team who would assume
54-425: A week, the CIHL experienced an exodus of teams, seeing Colborne, Collingwood, Milton and Toronto leaving the league to form their own AAU-sanctioned World United Hockey League (WUHL). The St. Charles Spirit folded days later. The Collingwood Ice would also fold after playing nine games in the WUHL. In late November, the CIHL announced the formation of the Markstay-Warren Spirit Warriors , a new team who would assume
72-804: Is not a recognized governing body of ice hockey by Hockey Canada or the International Ice Hockey Federation . The league initially announced two other confirmed teams: the Bracebridge Phantoms and the Colborne Cramahe Hawks (formerly Bobcaygeon Bucks) from the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League . A week after announcing Bracebridge as a team, the team decided to stay with the GMHL under new ownership. The league then announced
90-445: Is not a recognized governing body of ice hockey by Hockey Canada or the International Ice Hockey Federation . The league initially announced two other confirmed teams: the Bracebridge Phantoms and the Colborne Cramahe Hawks (formerly Bobcaygeon Bucks) from the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League . A week after announcing Bracebridge as a team, the team decided to stay with the GMHL under new ownership. The league then announced
108-723: The Canadian International Hockey League after one season. The Espanola Rivermen were granted expansion in the summer of 2013 to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League . They are the first junior club in Espanola since the demise of the Espanola Kings of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League and first NOJHL franchise since the Espanola Screaming Eagles . As a condition of expansion, Tim Clayden, former owner of
126-524: The Greater Toronto Area . The CIHL was officially announced on April 8, 2014 with the unveiling of its website. The league was started by Tim Clayden, owner of the Espanola Rivermen , a team that just finished their first year in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and then left. In May 2014, the league was accepted into the Amateur Athletic Union 's United Hockey Union. The AAU provides insurance and oversight to its leagues, but
144-807: The North Bay Trappers and the Trenton Golden Hawks , would have to sell his Trappers' franchise to get the team in Espanola. When a buyer was found for the Trappers, his expansion was granted. The Rivermen's first game was played in Kirkland Lake, Ontario against the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners on September 6, 2013. Despite an early 2–0 lead, the Rivermen would lose the game 8–3. Brandon Janke scored
162-835: The St. Charles Spirit hosted the Greater Sudbury Royals . The Spirit would win the first-ever CIHL game 5-3. That same day in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario , the Batchewana Attack hosted the Espanola Rivermen , winning 6-2. On November 10, 2014, the CIHL left the United Hockey Union and the AAU. In addition, the CIHL allowed its first American team into the league, the Kalkaska Rhinos . Within
180-406: The St. Charles Spirit hosted the Greater Sudbury Royals . The Spirit would win the first-ever CIHL game 5-3. That same day in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario , the Batchewana Attack hosted the Espanola Rivermen , winning 6-2. On November 10, 2014, the CIHL left the United Hockey Union and the AAU. In addition, the CIHL allowed its first American team into the league, the Kalkaska Rhinos . Within
198-642: The CIHL to become an independent team, leaving only the Espanola Riverman and the Batchewana Attack, putting the league's future in question. In April 2015, the league decided against operating for a 2nd season. Espanola Rivermen The Espanola Rivermen were a Canadian junior ice hockey franchise based in Espanola , Ontario , Canada . They were founded as a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League , but joined
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#1732801581127216-676: The St. Charles' schedule and win-loss record. After playing one game (losing 6-0), the Markstay-Warren Spirit Warriors joined the ever-growing list of former teams when they folded in order to send players to the Greater Sudbury Royals. This provided a boost to the winless Royals, who were also on the verge of folding. The Royals would fold in later January. In February, the Kalkaska Rhinos left
234-400: The St. Charles' schedule and win-loss record. After playing one game (losing 6-0), the Markstay-Warren Spirit Warriors joined the ever-growing list of former teams when they folded in order to send players to the Greater Sudbury Royals. This provided a boost to the winless Royals, who were also on the verge of folding. The Royals would fold in later January. In February, the Kalkaska Rhinos left
252-600: The Town of Espanola cancelling their contract with the Rivermen organization. The CIHL folded in the spring of 2015 and Espanola had an NOJHL team within weeks, with the Espanola Express for the 2015–16 season. Canadian International Hockey League The Canadian International Hockey League (CIHL) was a Canadian independent Junior ice hockey league based in Northern Ontario , Central Ontario , and
270-590: The first goal in team history, while Griffin Strain played the game in net. The next night, the Rivermen traveled to Iroquois Falls, Ontario to play the Abitibi Eskimos where the Rivermen won 3–1 to pick up their first franchise victory. Strain would get the win in net. The Rivermen's first home game was on September 27, 2013, as they host the Sudbury Nickel Barons . The Rivermen would win
288-576: The following teams for its inaugural season: Barrie Stars , Batchewana Attack , Collingwood Ice , Greater Sudbury Royals , Milton Cobras and St. Charles Spirit . In early August it was announced that Barrie would not continue with the league. On August 27, the CIHL officially announced the Toronto Junior Hockey Academy as a league member. On October 4, 2014, the CIHL kicked off its inaugural hockey weekend. The first-ever puck drop took place in St. Charles, Ontario where
306-492: The following teams for its inaugural season: Barrie Stars , Batchewana Attack , Collingwood Ice , Greater Sudbury Royals , Milton Cobras and St. Charles Spirit . In early August it was announced that Barrie would not continue with the league. On August 27, the CIHL officially announced the Toronto Junior Hockey Academy as a league member. On October 4, 2014, the CIHL kicked off its inaugural hockey weekend. The first-ever puck drop took place in St. Charles, Ontario where
324-573: The game 5–4. The first home ice goal was scored by Cray Roberge, 14:35 into the first period, on a penalty shot. Brennan Dubchak would score the eventual winning goal 9:04 into the third period while Griffin Strain made 44 saves to pick up the historic win. In the summer of 2014, Clayden opted to pull the Rivermen out of the NOJHL to form his own league. The newly formed Canadian International Hockey League boasted 8 teams, but within months lost most of its teams. The CIHL season ended with only two teams and
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