[Sylvanfan]

Cranbrook and the East Kootenay's is just too small of a market. I spent 8 years of my childhood in Cranbrook. I remember going to Royals and Colts game as a kid, but for that town to draw 1000 people to a game is asking 1 out of every 15 people living there to go to a game. Not exactly an area where the locals are overflowing with cash either as it's highly dependent on Forestry, and sad Albertans wanting to see mountains in the summer. My Dad nearly killed himself 10 times over those 8 years driving those crappy East Kootenay roads so it's not like people from Fernie want to drive 200km return on a weeknight to watch a junior game. Plus their travel is a real mess too as they'd almost be better off in the US Division given their location.

It's an area that loved hockey...but in today's junior game, markets like that really are going to be in tough to stay in the WHL.