Cubs Leave NOJHL
Greater Sudbury Cubs Announce Departure from NOJHL, Explore New League Opportunities
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The Greater Sudbury Cubs will not return to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) for the 2026-27 season, owner Mark Burgess announced — just hours after the league released its schedule. The Sudbury Star reported that Burgess cited a shifting Junior A hockey landscape as the key reason for the exit.
The departure is notable because the Cubs are back-to-back NOJHL champions. According to Sault Star, Burgess is not walking away from hockey entirely — he is exploring opportunities in new leagues for both men and women.
Why Burgess Says Junior A Hockey Is Broken
Burgess pointed to several pressures squeezing Junior A hockey. Clinton News Record reported he cited recruitment from rival leagues, an exodus of players to southern leagues seeking more exposure, and a shrinking player pool driven by the high cost of playing hockey. Together, these forces are making it harder to build a competitive roster.
The cost problem is real and growing. Families across Canada are pulling kids out of hockey because of ice time fees, equipment, and travel costs. Burgess argued this is draining the talent pool that leagues like the NOJHL depend on.
Back-to-Back Champions Exit Hours After Schedule Drop
The timing was striking. The Whig reported that the Cubs announced their withdrawal just hours after the NOJHL released its 2026-27 schedule. The league had presumably slotted the defending champions into the calendar before learning they would not play.
The Cubs won back-to-back NOJHL championships, making this exit more than a routine roster change. Losing a marquee franchise — and a reigning champion — is a significant blow to the league's profile in Northern Ontario.
Burgess Has a Long History in Canadian Hockey
This is not Burgess's first chapter in hockey ownership. He previously owned the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) — a higher-level junior league — before selling that franchise to Dario Zulich in 2016. Shoreline Beacon noted his deep roots in the Sudbury hockey community.
Burgess is not finished with the sport. According to Pembroke Observer, he is actively looking at new league options for both a men's and women's team. No specific leagues or timelines have been announced yet.
What This Means for the NOJHL Going Forward
The NOJHL serves Northern Ontario communities where junior hockey is a core part of local identity. Losing a two-time champion like the Cubs raises questions about the league's stability. Whitecourt Star noted the announcement points to wider challenges facing Junior A hockey across Canada.
The challenges Burgess described — player poaching, southern migration, and rising costs — are not unique to Sudbury. If other NOJHL owners share his concerns, the league could face further contraction. No response from the NOJHL itself has been reported.
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