Mississauga St. Michael's Majors Sold By Eugene Melnyk

[chilly666]

Toronto, ON - The Board of Governors of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) have approved the sale of the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors to Mississauga businessman, Elliott Kerr. Kerr, President of Landmark Sport Group Inc., will be the majority owner and the new franchise will continue to call the Hershey Centre home for the 2012-2013 season.

"We are very excited about the upcoming 2012-13 hockey season as well as the opportunity to continue Major Junior Hockey in our great City of Mississauga," said Kerr. "I have been a proud resident of Mississauga for 25 years, my six year-old twins are actively involved in minor hockey here, our Mississauga Marathon event will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2013 and our Landmark Sport Group office is based here as well."

"The Ontario Hockey League is excited to see the expanded involvement of Elliott Kerr in the OHL with his acquisition of the Mississauga franchise," said OHL Commissioner David Branch. " His experience as part of the ownership group with the Guelph Storm and the original Mississauga franchise, along with his passion for the game, family values, and being a Mississauga resident, will undoubtedly serve to see the Mississauga franchise grow and flourish"

Mayor Hazel McCallion is also thrilled to have the team staying in Mississauga "It is wonderful to know that we will continue to have an OHL team in Mississauga under the ownership of Elliott Kerr" said City of Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion. "I encourage community support for hockey at all levels in Mississauga and I am pleased that our residents will continue to enjoy a high caliber of sports entertainment that brings in many visitors to our City.

Under the new ownership, the hockey club will undergo a complete rebranding as the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors name will be returned to the school. We want to thank Eugene Melnyk for supporting minor hockey in Mississauga and for bringing the Majors to this great city. In an effort to engage the residents of Mississauga, the new team will be conducting a "Name the Team Contest" in association with the Mississauga News this week. The team name will be unveiled following the contest.

Coach and General Manager, James Boyd will remain with the team and Kerr has appointed Scott Rogers as Vice President and Director of Business Operations for the club.

[chilly666]

interesting that the team will have a new name though after so many years of having it

[The Dougler]

Pretty much every connection with the school is gone. None of the players go there anymore and I don't even think they have a chaplain or any Basilians involved with the team which is a far cry from a few years ago. It's a shame.

Melnyk buying the team when it was in T.O was the worst thing that could have happened to them. I remember thinking at the time it was a bad thing and here we are. If he hadn't of come in and bought them I'm fairly confident the Leafs would have purchased them eventually to add to their "empire" and they would have either ended up in a refurbished MLG or at the Ricoh with the Marlies. Instead they go to Missy where no one cares and are a white elephant. Now that they're gone and the name is changing I think I'm officially done with this team which is too bad. I really think an OHL team can do well in T.O and I hope the right person tries again soon.