June 13 -- Losing a team is not exactly what the Superior International Junior Hockey League needed as it heads towards its 10th anniversary season, but that as exactly what has transpired.

In what has been rumoured to be a dispute in regard to certain league operating rules and regulations that were proposed at the SIJHL's annual general meeting the K&A Wolverines have taken the drastic step of ceasing operations effective immediately.

Players on the team now become free to sign with any club the choose with no compensation being required.

With the Wolverines departure it now leaves only four member clubs in the SIJHL.

There are talks ongoing of having Duluth, Minn., and the Wisconsin Mustangs of Spooner, Wis., joining the league on a full-time basis, but that is currently being held up by USA Hockey who must give permission for both communities to join the SIJHL. The Mustangs played a 20-game slate vs. league clubs this past season.

Of note, Hockey Canada granted permission for both clubs to become part of the league at their recent AGM in Montreal.