To Our Players, Families, Billet Families, Staff, Sponsors, and Supporters,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the Niagara Predators Jr. A Hockey Club will not be operating for the upcoming season and will be taking a one-year leave of absence from the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL).

After six very successful years playing out of Meridian Credit Union Arena in Virgil, Niagara-on-the-Lake, we were advised on June 22, 2026, that our three-year lease would not be renewed. That news came as a tremendous disappointment and immediately placed the future of our organization in jeopardy.

Following that decision, we worked tirelessly to find a solution. We contacted arenas throughout the region, explored every scheduling possibility, considered relocating the organization, and pursued every avenue available in hopes of keeping the Predators on the ice for our players.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure a viable home. While we pursued every opportunity available to us, circumstances beyond our control prevented those opportunities from moving forward, leaving us with no realistic path to continue operations this season.

Although we are unable to operate this season, this is not the end of the Predators organization. Our commitment to the organization, our players, and the game of junior hockey remains as strong as ever. Over the coming months, we will continue working tirelessly to secure a permanent home that will allow the organization to return for future seasons. We remain hopeful that this is simply a pause in our journey, not the end of it.

In the weeks ahead, we will be reaching out directly to our players, billet families, coaches, staff, volunteers, and sponsors regarding the next steps. Our priority is to ensure that our players are supported during this transition and have every opportunity to continue their hockey careers while we work toward returning the organization to the ice.

For our family, this decision is especially difficult. After more than 50 years of coaching, managing, and owning junior hockey teams, helping thousands of young athletes develop both on and off the ice and pursue opportunities at higher levels of the game, stepping away—even temporarily—is heartbreaking.

Six years ago, Kevin Turcotte approached us with the opportunity to relocate the franchise from North York to Niagara-on-the-Lake. We embraced that opportunity with excitement and a commitment to building something the community could be proud of. Together, we built far more than a hockey team—we built a family.

To every player who proudly wore the Predators jersey, thank you. To every parent who entrusted us with your son, thank you. To our billet families who opened your homes and treated our players as family, thank you. To our coaches, trainers, volunteers, staff, sponsors, and fans who dedicated their time, energy, and unwavering support, thank you. You helped build an organization that we are incredibly proud of. The relationships, memories, and experiences we shared together will remain with us for years to come.

While we are forced to step away for this season, the memories, friendships, and accomplishments of this organization will never disappear. The Predators have always stood for opportunity, character, and development, and we sincerely hope the impact we have had on our players will continue long after the final buzzer.

To everyone who has been part of this journey, please know that your support has never gone unnoticed. We ask for your patience as we work through the coming months and continue exploring every possible avenue to secure a permanent home for the organization. We remain committed to our players, our families, and our community, and we will provide updates as plans for the future develop.

From our family to yours, thank you for believing in us, supporting us, and being part of this incredible journey. Although this chapter has come to an unexpected end, we firmly believe the story of the Predators organization is not over. We remain committed to finding a new home where the organization can once again provide opportunities for young athletes to develop, compete, and pursue their hockey dreams.

With sincere gratitude,

Robert Turnbull Sr.

Robert Turnbull Sr. Owner & General Manager Niagara Predators Jr. A Hockey Club