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City of Cranbrook Sues Western Hockey League Over Kootenay Ice Relocation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The City of Cranbrook has filed a notice of intention to proceed with a lawsuit against the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the former owners of the Kootenay Ice hockey club. The lawsuit, filed on June 19, 2025, stems from the team's relocation to Winnipeg in 2019. The City alleges breach of contract and seeks relief for general damages, lost income, and special damages incurred after the franchise moved.

Key Takeaways:

  • The City of Cranbrook is seeking relief for general damages, lost income from a 15-year licence agreement, and special damages incurred after the Kootenay Ice relocated to Winnipeg in 2019.
  • The City claims to have received an average revenue of $178,333 annually from the Kootenay Ice between 2013/14 and 2018/19.
  • The Western Hockey League (WHL) is named as a defendant, with the City alleging that it induced the breaches of the licence agreement.
  • The City entered into a new licence agreement with a replacement tenant in 2020, but alleges that the replacement income is less than what was generated from the previous tenant.
  • The City has incurred costs and expenses in obtaining the replacement tenant, which it claims it would not have had to otherwise.
  • The defendants, including the WHL and the former owners of the Kootenay Ice, deny much of the facts alleged in the City's notice of claim.
  • The defendants argue that the City itself breached the licence agreement by terminating it in May 2019.
  • The defendants also rely on "force majeure" clauses contained within the licence agreement to argue that the City's actions were justified.

Statistics:

  • The Kootenay Ice played in Cranbrook for 21 years before relocating to Winnipeg in 2019.
  • The team won three WHL championships, including a Memorial Cup championship in 2002.
  • A number of players, including Jarrett Stoll, Sam Reinhart, and Brayden McNabb, went on to NHL careers.
  • The City received an average revenue of $178,333 annually from the Kootenay Ice between 2013/14 and 2018/19.
  • The City incurred costs and expenses in obtaining the replacement tenant in 2020.

Sources:

  • City of Cranbrook Notice of Intention to Proceed with Lawsuit
  • Cranbrook Townsman - "City files notice of intention to proceed with lawsuit over Kootenay Ice relocation"
  • Licence agreement between the City of Cranbrook and the Kootenay Ice Hockey Club (2017) Ltd.
  • Response filed by the defendants in 2022.

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