Visa delays keep 11 Canadian players from Watertown Wolves home opener
Eleven Canadian players missed the Watertown Wolves’ Oct. 16 home opener while awaiting work visas, as the Federal Prospects Hockey League moves international players to P-1A visas.
By Caleb Mercer, ClickNNY North Country Desk
Eleven Canadian players were unavailable for the Watertown Wolves’ Oct. 16 home opener because their work visas had not cleared, leaving the Federal Prospects Hockey League team without much of its intended roster. Immigration processing delays are also affecting other FPHL teams, league officials said.
The Wolves lost 9-5 to the Danbury Hat Tricks in Watertown. The team also lost its first game of the 2026-27 season, falling 5-2 at Binghamton on Oct. 10.
Visa process changes
The FPHL has moved from the short-term B-1 visas it used in previous years to P-1A visas for international players. The P-1A classification is intended for professional athletes and is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The change came as the league addressed federal immigration requirements. The application costs more than $2,000 per player, while expedited processing adds nearly $3,000. Watertown Wolves owner Dan Drake said the league is covering those costs.
Without expedited processing, the visa process could take two to six months. Expedited processing is expected to take 15 business days.
Impact on Watertown
The visa delays have particular significance for the Wolves because the team has fewer American players than some other FPHL clubs. With 11 players unavailable, Watertown’s opening-night roster was reduced as the team began the season.
The Wolves finished last season 14-36 and missed the playoffs. Drake bought the team from FPHL Commissioner Don Kirnan during the offseason, and Brent Clark returned as head coach.
What comes next
Drake said the team expected an update on the visa applications during the week of Oct. 19. Watertown’s next scheduled home games are Oct. 23 and 24 against Blue Ridge, with both games set for 7:05 p.m.
Tickets are available through Clubhouse Cards, including group rates for groups of 10 or more. Fans can check the Wolves’ schedule for updates on player availability.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
More from ClickNNY
Guides and features from across the North Country.
ClickNNY Guide · Fort Drum
Fall foliage on Fort Drum and in the North Country: what to know
Fall color is on display across Fort Drum and the North Country, with recreation access rules, trail information and seasonal updates available for visitors.
ClickNNY Guide · Thousand Islands
Fishing the St. Lawrence River after summer: a fall and ice fishing guide to the Thousand Islands
When the tour boats leave, the St. Lawrence becomes a different river. Here's what's biting in the fall, how ice fishing works, exactly what to bring, how to stay safe, and where to stay, whether you're visiting for the first time or have lived here all your life.
ClickNNY Guide · Fort Drum
Your first North Country winter: a survival guide for Fort Drum soldiers from the South
Never driven on snow, owned a snow blower or felt a February morning at Fort Drum? Here's what to wear, what to keep in your car and how to get through your first lake-effect winter.