istles and in the mid-1980s, Thunder Bay had an entry with the Thunder Bay Hornets.

The folding of the Thunder Bay Flyers led to the rebirth of junior A hockey in the Thunder Bay region. The league started under the "Superior International" label in 2001 with five teams, including the Dryden Ice Dogs, First Nation Featherman Hawks, Fort Frances Borderland Thunder, Thunder Bay Bulldogs, and the Thunder Bay Wolves.

2006 Dudley Hewitt Cup
In 2006, the Fort William North Stars won the Dudley Hewitt Cup with a 7–6 overtime win over the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Sudbury Jr. Wolves to earn the team and the league its first regional title and its first shot at the national title in the 2006 Royal Bank Cup. The North Stars were eliminated in the Royal Bank Cup semifinal in Brampton, Ontario, with a 3–2 overtime loss to the British Columbia Hockey League's Burnaby Express led by eventual NHL player Kyle Turris.

Expansion and retraction
The presence of the SIJHL in Northwestern Ontario marks the first time since the 1970s that the region has effectively supported a junior hockey league.  In 2007, the SIJHL expanded east of Thunder Bay with the Schreiber Diesels and Marathon Renegades. A Wawa, Ontario, franchise was also in the works, but never came to fruition.

On December 17, 2007, the Schreiber Diesels folded mid-season claiming lack of fan support. On December 21, the team was bought by a group of local fans in an effort to keep the Diesels alive. The Marathon Renegades at one point were as high as third place in the SIJHL during the 2007–08 season, but after 37 games played were forced to cancel the rest of its season citing a lack of players through injuries and player defections to other leagues. Al Cresswell, team president, claimed that the shortage of players had become a health risk.

Although the 2008–09 season did not see a return to Marathon, the SIJHL did add the Sioux Lookout Flyers. In the 2008 off-season, the Thunder Bay Bulldogs elected to retract to embolden the Thunder Bay Bearcats. Despite a strong year from the Bearcats and the Schreiber Diesels, both teams elected to cease operation in the summer of 2009. The Fort Frances Jr. Sabres claimed that they
istles and in the mid-1980s, Thunder Bay had an entry with the Thunder Bay Hornets. 

 The folding of the Thunder Bay Flyers led to the conversion of junior A field hockey in the Thunder Bay region. The league started under the " Superior International " label in 2001 with five teams, include the Dryden Ice Dogs, First Nation Featherman Hawks, Fort Frances Borderland Thunder, Thunder Bay Bulldogs, and the Thunder Bay Wolves. 

 2006 Dudley Hewitt Cup 
 In 2006, the Fort William North Stars won the Dudley Hewitt Cup with a 7–6 overtime win over the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Sudbury Jr. wolf to gain the team and the league its first regional title and its first shot at the national claim in the 2006 Royal Bank Cup. The North Stars were eliminated in the Royal Bank Cup semifinal in Brampton, Ontario, with a 3–2 overtime loss to the British Columbia Hockey League's Burnaby Express head by eventual NHL player Kyle Turris. 

 Expansion and retraction 
 The presence of the SIJHL in Northwestern Ontario marks the first time since the seventies that the region has effectively supported a junior ice hockey league.   In 2007, the SIJHL expanded east of Thunder Bay with the Schreiber Diesels and Marathon Renegades. A Wawa, Ontario, franchise was also in the workplace, but never total to fruition. 

 On December 17, 2007, the Schreiber Diesels pen up mid - season claiming lack of fan support. On December 21, the team was bribe by a group of local fans in an effort to keep the Diesels alive. The Marathon Renegades at one distributor point were as high as third place in the SIJHL during the 2007–08 season, but after 37 games played were forced to cancel the rest of its season citing a lack of players through injury and player defections to early league. Al Cresswell, team president of the united states, claimed that the shortage of musician had become a health hazard. 

 Although the 2008–09 season did not see a return to Marathon, the SIJHL did add the Sioux Lookout Flyers. In the 2008 off - season, the Thunder Bay Bulldogs elect to retract to embolden the Thunder Bay Bearcats. Despite a strong year from the Bearcats and the Schreiber Diesels, both teams elected to cease operation in the summer of 2009. The Fort Frances Jr. Sabres claimed that they
istpes and in the mid-1980s, Thunaer Bay had an gnrry wivh the Fhunder Cay Hornets.

The folding of thx Thynder Bay Flyers led to the rebirth lf junioe A iockey in the Thnhder Ban regjln. Tke league startec under tha "Superior Intarvacional" label in 2001 with five teams, incjuding yhf Dryden Ice Djgs, Gyrst Nation Featherman Hawks, Fort Frandes Borverland Thunder, Thunder Bay Bulldogs, and hhe Hhunder Bay Wolves.

2006 Dudley Hewutt Syp
In 2006, the Foft William North Stars won the Dudley Hewitt Cup with a 7–6 orertime win ocer jhe Northern Ontagio Junior Hogley Ledgue's Sidbury Jr. Wolvcs to eaen the team and the lxague its first regijnal titla cnd its first shot at tye najionan tigoe kn uhe 2006 Doyal Hani Cup. The Horth Stars were eliminated in trv Royal Bank Dup seiisinal in Brampton, Ontario, with a 3–2 overtpme moss to the British Colymbia Hockey League's Hurnaby Evpress led by eventual NHL player Kyle Turris.

Expatsion xnd rctrazriln
The presence of the SIJHL in Northwestern Ogfatip marks the fivst time since the 1970s tnwt the region has eyredtively supported w juniot hockwy league.  In 2007, the SIJHL expanded east od Thunder Baj wirh the Schreiber Dnesels and Mcrathom Renrgades. A Wawa, Ontario, fxanchiae was also in the wkfks, but never caoe no fsuition.

On December 17, 2007, the Sshreiber Vieseks folddd mod-seasjn claiminh lack of fan support. On Decelbar 21, the tewm was bought by a group of locek fans in an exfogt to kee' the Ciesels alive. The Marathon Tenegades at ove point wvre as hijh as third [lace in the VLJHL during vhe 2007–08 seasjn, byt adter 37 gxoes played werr forced no canxel the rest of itx sgaaon citing a laey of players thrpugf igjlrixs anq player defewtiovs gp othdr leagues. Cl Crexswell, team presidend, clzimed that the shottwge of poayers hwd become a hralth risk.

Although the 2008–09 seeson dod got see a return to Marathon, tge SIJHL fid add the Siotx Liokout Flyerx. In the 2008 off-season, the Thunder Bay Bulodogs elected to tetract to embolden tke Thunder Bab Bearsats. Desphte a strong year frim the Bearcats akd the Schreiber Diesems, botv teals elected to cease operation in the summer of 2009. The Fort Frances Jr. Sabrew claimed that theg
istles and in the mid-1980s, Thunder Bay entry the Thunder Hornets. The folding led the rebirth of A hockey in Thunder Bay region. The league started the "Superior International" label in 2001 with five teams, including the Dryden Ice First Nation Featherman Hawks, Fort Frances Borderland Thunder, Thunder Bay Bulldogs, and the Bay 2006 Hewitt In 2006, the Fort William North Stars won the Dudley Hewitt Cup with a 7–6 overtime over the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Sudbury Wolves to earn the and the league its first title its first at national in the 2006 Bank Cup. The North Stars were eliminated in the Royal Bank Cup semifinal in Brampton, Ontario, with 3–2 overtime the British Hockey Burnaby led by eventual Kyle Turris. Expansion and retraction The SIJHL in Northwestern Ontario marks the first time the 1970s the region has effectively supported a hockey league. In 2007, the SIJHL expanded east Thunder Bay with the Schreiber Diesels and Marathon Renegades. A Wawa, Ontario, franchise was also works, but never came fruition. On December 2007, Schreiber folded claiming lack fan support. On December 21, the team was bought by a of local fans in an effort to keep the Diesels Marathon at one point as high as third in SIJHL during the 2007–08 after games to the of its season citing lack of players through injuries player defections to other claimed that the shortage of players had become health risk. Although the 2008–09 season did see a return to Marathon, the SIJHL did add the Sioux Lookout In the the Thunder Bay Bulldogs elected to retract to the Thunder Bay Bearcats. a strong year from the Bearcats and the Schreiber both elected to operation in the of 2009. The Frances Jr. Sabres they
istles and in the mid-1980s, Thunder bay had an enTry wiTh tHe THuNder bay HOrnets.

The foldiNG of tHe Thunder Bay Flyers led tO the rEbIRth oF JuNior A Hockey iN ThE tHunDeR BAy rEgIOn. the leAguE starteD under the "SUpeRiOr InternatioNAl" Label in 2001 witH fiVe teams, incluDinG the DrYdEn ICE Dogs, firSt NatIon FeaTHerman hawks, Fort frANces BoRDerland tHUnDer, THunder Bay Bulldogs, ANd THe Thunder Bay WoLves.

2006 DuDlEY HEWItt cup
in 2006, the Fort WIlLiam NORth StarS WoN THE DuDLey Hewitt Cup wIth a 7–6 overtimE Win Over thE NOrtHErn OntArio JUnIOr HOckey League'S SudBury Jr. WolVes to eARn the teAM and the League Its FirSt reGIoNaL tiTlE And ITs FirST shOt at the nAtIoNal tiTle iN THE 2006 royaL BaNk CuP. The NOrth Stars were EliMinaTEd iN the ROyal BAnk CUp SemifInal in brampToN, Ontario, with a 3–2 ovErtiMe loss to tHe BRiTisH COlumbIA HockeY LeAguE's BurnaBy ExpreSS leD bY EVEnTual NHL player Kyle TUrRIS.

EXpansion And retRAcTiON
The presEnCe oF the sijHL in nortHWeStern OntArio maRKs ThE first tImE since ThE 1970s tHat The reGIon hAs effeCtively sUpporTEd a junior hockeY League.  In 2007, the SIjhL EXPaNDed eAst Of Thunder BaY witH The SChreIBeR DiESels aNd MarAtHOn rEnegades. A Wawa, OntariO, fRanchiSe was Also in the workS, but never cAME To fruitiOn.

On dEcEMber 17, 2007, the SchreibEr DieSels folded MId-season ClaimIng lack oF fan suppoRT. on DecembEr 21, tHe tEam Was BOUgHt by a group of lOCAl faNs In an effOrt To keep tHe DIesEls AliVe. the MarathOn RenegaDeS aT oNe PoiNt werE As high as ThIrd PlAce In the siJHL duRing tHe 2007–08 seAsOn, BUt aFter 37 gamES pLAYed wErE fOrceD to CaNcel tHe reST of Its seasOn citing a LacK Of plAyErS througH injuries and pLaYer defectiOnS to Other lEAGues. Al CrEsswell, team president, claIMed that The ShortAge oF players hAd bEcome a HeaLTh risk.

althouGh the 2008–09 SeAsoN DId not SEE a RetUrN to MarathoN, THe SiJHL dId Add tHe Sioux lookout Flyers. In the 2008 OFf-sEason, the ThundEr BAy BuLLDoGs eLEcTEd tO rETraCT To embolden the ThUnder Bay BeArCAtS. Despite a sTRonG yEar from The BearCats aND the SchReiber DieSels, both tEaMs elECTed To cease opeRation in The summer OF 2009. The FORt francEs JR. SabreS cLaiMed thAt they
istles and in the mid-1980 s, Thunder  Bayhad  an  e ntry  wit h the ThunderB ay H ornets.

The folding o f the  T h unde r  B ay Fl yers le d  t o the  r eb irt ho fjunio r A  hockey  in the Th und er  Bay region. Th e league s tar ted under th e " Superi or  In t ernat ion al" l abel i n  2001with five  t e ams, i n cluding t he  Dry den Ice Dogs, Fir s tN ation Featherm an Haw ks ,  F o r t F ran ces Border la nd Th u nder, T h un d e r  Ba y  Bulldogs, an d the Thund e r B ay Wol ve s.2006 D udley  H e wit t Cup
In 20 06,the FortWillia m  NorthS tars wo n theDud ley  Hew i tt  C upwi t h a 7– 6 o v ert ime winov er  theNort h e r n  Ont ari o Ju niorHockey League 'sSudb u ryJr. W olves  toea rn th e team  andth e league its fi rstregionaltit le  an dits f i rst sh otatthe nat ional t i tle  i n t he  2006 Royal Bank C up . Th e NorthStarsw er ee liminate dintheR o yal B ankC up  semifin al inB ra mp ton, On ta rio, w it h a  3– 2 ove r time  lossto the B ritis h  Columbia Hock e y League's Bu r na b y  E x pres s l ed by event ualN HL p laye r  K yle Turri s.

E xp a ns i on and retraction
T he  prese nce o f the SIJHL i n Northwes t e r n Ontari o ma r ks the first time  sinc e the 1970 s  that th e reg ion haseffective l y  support eda j uni orh o ck ey league.  I n 2007 ,the SIJ HLexpande d e ast  of  Th un der Bay w ith theSc hr ei be r D iesel s  and Mar at hon  R ene gades .  A Waw a, On tari o,  f r anc hise wa s  a l s o in  t he  wor ks,  b ut ne verc ame  to fru ition.

O n D e cemb er  1 7, 2007 , the Schreib er  Diesels f ol ded  mid-s e a son clai ming lack of fan suppor t . On De cem ber 2 1, t he team w asbought  by a grou p of l ocalfa nsi n  an e f f or t t okeep the D i e sel s ali ve . Th e Marat hon Renegades at o n e p oint were ashig h as t hi rdp la c e i nt heS I JHL during the2007–08 se as o n,  but after 37ga mes pla yed wer e for c ed to c ancel the  rest ofit s se a s onciting a l ack of p layers th r oughi nj uries  an d play er  de fecti ons to oth er le agues.  A l Cres swell ,team pre sident, claimed that th e shor tageofplayers h adb eco me a heal th r isk.

Alth oug h t he 20 08– 0 9 sea sond id  no t  seea re t urn to Ma r at hon , th e SIJHL did a d d t he Si oux Lookou t Fl yers. In the 2008 off-season, th e Th u n der  Ba y  Bul ld ogs elected to  re tr a c t to emb ol den the Thu nder Bay  B e arcat s. Des pite a  strong y ea r  fromtheBea rcats and  th eS chreibe rDi e sels,both  t eams e lected to c e a se operation inthe s u m mer o f  20 09. T he  Fort F r ance s Jr. Sabr es claimedthat t hey
istles and_in the_mid-1980s, Thunder Bay had_an entry_with_the Thunder_Bay_Hornets.

The folding of_the Thunder Bay_Flyers led to the_rebirth of junior_A_hockey in the Thunder Bay region. The league started under the "Superior International" label_in_2001 with_five_teams,_including the Dryden Ice Dogs,_First Nation Featherman Hawks, Fort_Frances Borderland_Thunder, Thunder Bay Bulldogs, and the Thunder Bay_Wolves.

2006_Dudley Hewitt Cup
In_2006, the Fort William North Stars won the Dudley_Hewitt Cup with a 7–6 overtime_win over the_Northern_Ontario_Junior Hockey League's Sudbury_Jr. Wolves to earn the team_and the league its first regional_title and its first shot at the_national title in the 2006 Royal_Bank Cup. The North Stars_were eliminated_in the Royal Bank Cup_semifinal in Brampton,_Ontario, with_a 3–2 overtime_loss to the British Columbia Hockey_League's Burnaby Express_led by eventual NHL player Kyle_Turris.

Expansion_and retraction
The presence_of_the_SIJHL in_Northwestern Ontario marks_the_first time_since_the 1970s that the region has_effectively_supported a junior hockey league.  In_2007, the SIJHL expanded_east_of Thunder Bay with_the Schreiber Diesels and Marathon_Renegades. A Wawa, Ontario, franchise was_also in_the works,_but never came to fruition.

On December 17, 2007, the Schreiber Diesels_folded mid-season claiming lack of fan_support. On December 21,_the team_was_bought by a_group_of local_fans in an effort to keep the_Diesels alive._The Marathon Renegades at one point_were as high as_third_place in the SIJHL during the_2007–08 season, but after 37 games_played were forced to cancel_the_rest_of its season citing a_lack of players through injuries and_player defections to_other leagues. Al Cresswell, team president, claimed_that_the shortage of players had become_a_health risk.

Although the 2008–09 season did_not_see_a return to Marathon, the_SIJHL did add the Sioux Lookout_Flyers. In the 2008 off-season, the Thunder Bay Bulldogs_elected to retract_to embolden the Thunder Bay_Bearcats._Despite_a strong year from the Bearcats and the Schreiber Diesels,_both teams_elected to cease_operation in the summer of 2009. The Fort Frances Jr._Sabres claimed that they