Delta Ice Hawks Relocate To Sungod Arena

The wait is finally over and for the Ice Hawks it’s like Christmas comes early given the recent move changes take place which we’ll keep you posted on.

It is interesting to note that the 1977-78 season saw the North Delta SunGods operate in the WCJHL and had Jack McDonald (former NHLer and  member of the Surrey Stampeders and White Rock Rangers active with the team as well as Pat Francis.

THe 1979-1985 season saw the Surrey/North Delta Saints move to Sungod at the start of the 83-84 season and changed their name to the North Delta Saints noting that the 84-85 season was the Saints best season winning first place advancing the full five games in league finals against the North Shore Winter Club Flames unfortunately losing the series.

Turning our attention to present day it’s exciting to hear that the PJHL Tier One Delta Ice Hawks are moving and will be playing in North Delta at the Sungod Arena which seats over 2,000 which they are hoping to fill.

As you might expect volunteers are at the front of any organization and if you would like to volunteer contact the Delta Ice  Hawks at (604) 806 0104 or president@deltaicehawks.com

The move has been in the works and given the  virtually empty Sungod the moves help put Delta’s Show Palace back on the map which sadly has been missing Junior hockey for years.

Centrally located, the 2,000-seat Sungod Arena is part of the Sungod Recreation Center, which boasts a cycle-fit studio, gym, fitness studio, four pools, a swirl pool, sauna, steam room, weight room, aerobic studio and an ice rink. 

Sungod Arena was recently the venue for the IIHF 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge which was covered by Sportswave.

The expansion the Ice Hawks will have their own dressing room which was initially used by the Delta Hurry Kings Senior A Team who operated from 1979-81 owned by Cliff Smith and relocated from the Karen Magnussen Arena. 

This move marks a significant step forward for the team, enhancing player development, fan experience, community engagement and the potential to host future Junior A Tier 1 Championships and events. 

It also means that the Delta Ice Hawks home games will now start at 7:00 pm on Saturdays, changing from Tuesday nights at 7:30 pm in Ladner. 

Mayor George V. Harvie .“The City of Delta is proud to support the Delta Ice Hawks as they take this exciting next step in their journey.” 

He continued “The move to Sungod Arena not only reflects the team’s incredible growth and success but also strengthens community connections in North Delta. 

We look forward to welcoming fans from across Delta to cheer on the Ice Hawks in their new home and to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere this move will bring to Sungod Recreation Centre” finishing off by saying “It’s a very exciting and bitter-sweet moment. 

Ice Hawks owner Eduard Epshtein mentioned “There are so many amazing memories and so much history in the 28 consecutive seasons at Ladner Leisure Centre, as a Junior B club and, most recently, a Junior A, Tier 2 club.”

He continued “With this move, we are starting a new chapter in the team’s history as Junior A, Tier 1 hockey team. We are grateful to the City of Delta and the minor hockey associations for making this move possible. We hope that our South Delta-based fans continue to support our team in the new North Delta location.”

The Delta Ice Hawks Founded in 1997, the Delta Ice Hawks is a Junior A, Tier 1 hockey team of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (“PJHL”) operating under Hockey Canada sanctioned junior hockey. 

The team was a Junior B level team until 2024-25 season, Junior A, Tier 2 for the 2024-25 season, and was awarded Junior A, Tier 1 status for the 2025-26 season. 

About Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Founded in 1965, PJHL is the longest running junior hockey league in the province of British Columbia. 

The league has 15 teams based on Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast, operating in two divisions: Junior A, Tier 1 division with 7 teams and Junior A, Tier 2 division with 8 teams.