A decision was rendered Thursday regarding repercussions of the Beaver Valley Nitehawks’ blockade of the Trail Smoke Eaters’ bus on Saturday.
KIJHL president Bill Olhausen suspended Nitehawks coach Terry Jones for three games effective immediately and fined the Beaver Valley club $100 for actions taken after a meeting with Smokies coach Bill Birks.
Olahausen made the decision after BC Hockey withdrew from taking action.
“I came down with a suspension of three games for Terry Jones,” said Olhausen.
In a letter obtained by the Trail Times the KIJHL president said he was “appalled” and “embarrassed” at the actions of the Nitehawks coach and GM.
While the league did not speak to Jones regarding the “protest,” Olhausen said he thought the suspension and fine was fair to both parties and looks forward to continue good relations with the BCHL and Trail Smoke Eaters.
“It’s an adult thing and I don’t think they should have went there,” said Olhausen. “Each league has their own regulations and each of them have to abide by them, and even if we don’t like them, we have to accept them.”
The suspension is a result of the bus blockade when a release for forward Ryan Edwards was not immediately forthcoming following his suspension.
Jones along with some of his players stood in front of the Smokies bus and delayed it from leaving the Trail Memorial Centre parking lot as it attempted to leave for a road game against Merritt Saturday.
Jones will miss games against Spokane and Grand Forks this weekend, and Spokane next week.