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MEDFORD, Ore. – Southern Oregon Spartans junior hockey series has been playing home games on RRRink for almost 15 years. Three days after the Spartans announced that they would not play in the upcoming season 2021-22, RRRink announced that they would not renew the Spartans contract.
The Spartans ’decision not to play this season after playing only six games in the 2020-21 season during the pandemic was none of Spartan’s owner Dylan and Brie Martin. Long, restless nights followed stressful meetings about what was the best course of action. They tried to navigate the ever-changing coronavirus restrictions of Oregon’s indoor contact species.
“I’m just frustrated. I mean frustrated like faith,” Dylan told NewsWatch 12 Sports to try to figure out if he could send the team to South Oregon. “It’s one day, you know, [the Oregon Health Authority will] come with these restrictions, and the next day they are the complete opposite or completely erased. “
The decision not to play had nothing to do with the finances of the Southern Oregon hockey team, Dylan told NewsWatch 12 Sports. However, it had everything to do, with the uncertainty of being able to bring players from thousands of miles around the world and really get a season.
“It was really hard because we knew the community would go another year without the Spartans,” Dylan said. “The same decision-making process had a lot more to do with children and players than playing Spartan hockey.”
What the Spartans were not prepared for when they made the decision to give up the period 2021-22 on May 17 was their home, The RRRink, which announced three days later that the Spartans would not return.
On May 20, RRRink posted on its website that after receiving a word from the Spartan owners, they would not join the team: “RRRink will not renew the contract with the Spartans.” In addition, the ice rink still wants a younger hockey franchise game on their premises and is actively looking to play it in Medford next winter season.
NewsWatch 12 Sports contacted RRRink for more information on its decision. The owners said they have no further comments at the moment, but hope to get more information about the future of junior hockey at RRRink later this month.
Spartan owners Dylan and Brie Martin were shocked by this movement, but said they saw it as an opportunity to grow the Spartans brand in Konnelaakso. Dylan told NewsWatch 12 Sports that they have discussed with others in the area building a new ice rink to house Spartan hockey and grow youth hockey in Southern Oregon.
For a long time, for Spartans fans who are worried about the team leaving, Dylan says he doesn’t have to worry.
“I want people to know that the Spartans are well alive and well, and we’re going to move on to keep them in the valley.”
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