The following is an official press release from the SHL Executive, approved by League President, Sheldon Currie:


The Southern Hockey League is in the midst of an interesting off-season.

Speculation is running rampant on who’s playing where for 2007-08 and SHL president Sheldon Currie isn’t impressed when it comes to a critical part of the league’s constitution.

“As with any off-season, you’re always going to hear about different rumours and scenarios when it comes to players and teams,” said Currie. “It’s always difficult to pinpoint any type of player tampering, but that is one critical issue that I take a dim view on. Teams should not be talking to players on other teams when it comes to playing hockey. Tampering is something I take very seriously, our executive takes seriously and all competing teams should take seriously.”

There have been several suggestions some of the member teams are undergoing transformation of ownership and coaching groups for the impending season.

Nothing official in terms of ownership changes has passed by Currie’s desk as the league prepares for its annual general meeting and fall draft to stock rosters for 2007-08.

“The best thing about hockey is there isn’t an off-season anymore when it comes to speculation and planning,” Currie said. “Everybody wants to improve or win another championship. That’s natural and that’s encouraged through due diligence and proper approaches. We have built a dynamic league of players, teams and organizations. Our constitution has been re-enforced to protect what teams are trying to build. The teams and its management and ownership needs to have faith in the constitution they played a large part in building.”

Currie said rules are in place for a reason.

“We want continuity and we demand respect for our own constitution,” he said. “Teams can’t build the rules of the league that are designed to protect the SHL’s integrity and then try to stickhandle around those very same rules. I was told long ago if all else fails, always fall back on your constitution for protection and guidance. It doesn’t get any simpler than that. Right now teams should be building toward the new season and keeping the SHL executive updated with any changes in organizational management or trade announcements.”

The league is anticipating all teams back on board including the defending champion Grand Lake Thrashers, River Valley Home Hardware Rock, Black’s Harbour Silverkings, St. Stephen Seahawks, Saint John Blackhawks and Fredericton’s Hilltop Bud Lites.