Canberra Knights withdraw from AIHL

AIHL published today a short statement announcing the withdrawal of Canberra Knights for financial reasons, less then 2 months from begin of the season, scheduled for April 12, when Knights should be on home ice against Newcastle North Stars.

"Early this morning the Canberra Knights advised the AIHL Commission that they will be withdrawing from the AIHL Competition, effectively immediately. This is sad news for the AIHL and the Australian hockey community. The AIHL would like to acknowledge and thank the Canberra Knights organisation, players, volunteers and dedicated fans for their support of the Canberra Knights and the AIHL."

Knights boss John Raut cited increased costs and a lack of player depth as the key reasons behind the decision. Raut owns the Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre where the Knights are based and has run the team for the past 28 years. When news about financial difficulties for the team come publicy, there was mobilization of fans via twitter (the hashtag #savetheknights) and on fundraising site mycause, collecting about 1300 dollars in two days. 

Yesterday after the official announcement on team Facebook page, captain Mark Rummukainen posted his opinion: "I'm not sure what to say here, the guys are all pretty heartbroken and angry right now (and surprised!). I was first told there was a problem on Monday, last night there was a little hope, then we got an email this morning saying we're done. It's a sad day for the club, lots of potential will go unrealised. Thanks to all of you for the support you've given us over the years, it was an absolute highlight playing at home in front of a packed rink, probably what kept me playing for so long! Reading some recent posts I can see everyone was gearing up and getting excited for the year (we were also!), I'm truly sorry and saddened this year isn't going ahead. I firmly believe more could have been done." 

Rummukainen in an interview to Canberra Times, said the players want to actively search for a solution to keep team alive, pointing the finger on Raut as the only who want the team fold: "The players want to keep going and we weren't given the opportunity to do anything in the first place. If we can take control of the team and run it how we want to run it, maybe we can have a team in the league in 2014. The amount of public support we've seen in the last 24 hours has been very encouraging, and hopefully there are businesses who might be willing to get behind us. The players don't want to lose it, the fans don't want to lose it, unfortunately the only person willing to turn it in was the owner." But AIHL commissioner Alex Lata, despite AIHL had offered to increase the number of imports the Knights are allowed from four to six to help them become more competitive, is not optimistic about a posible save: "There is a very limited window for resolution of the issue, with the season approaching" he said.

 

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