Latest news with #SooGreyhounds
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Soo Greyhounds won't host 2027 Memorial Cup
Soo Greyhounds won't bid to host 2027 Memorial Cup, citing local economy & tariff concerns. The OHL team says it aims to compete -- but it won't be on home ice.
Ottawa Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Soo Greyhounds will not bid on 2027 Memorial Cup
Article content The Soo Greyhounds decided the third time was, in fact, not the charm. Article content After unsuccessful bids in 2021 and 2024, the team announced Monday morning that it will not bid to host the 2027 Memorial Cup, the Canadian Hockey League's marquee tournament. The event is slated to be hosted by an OHL team, as part of the CHL's regular rotation with the WHL and QMJHL. Article content 'This decision was made following a review of the factors necessary to stage an event of this magnitude, including the resources required, the current state of the local economy in an environment of tariff uncertainty, and the competitive landscape among other potential communities looking to host this event,' reads a statement from team president Tim Lukenda. Article content The Greyhounds previously bid for the 2021 and 2024 tournaments. The first was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the second went to the Saginaw Spirit, who hosted in 2024. Article content Article content Hosting the Memorial Cup requires a significant financial commitment. City council previously approved $300,000 in funding to support the 2024 bid, drawn from the Community Development Fund–Economic Development Stream, designed to spur local economic activity. A similar investment would've been needed to support a 2027 proposal. Article content Competition for the event will also be steep. The Kitchener Rangers, Niagara IceDogs, and Guelph Storm have all expressed interest. Kitchener in particular is seen as a frontrunner, boasting a larger, 7,200-seat arena and more hotel capacity in the surrounding region. The Rangers last hosted in 2008, drawing more than 53,000 fans and generating a $1.95 million profit — the most lucrative Memorial Cup in CHL history. Article content Article content Guelph hosted its only Memorial Cup in 2002, while the IceDogs have never held the tournament at the decade-old Meridian Centre in St. Catharines. Article content 'Competing to host the Memorial Cup would require significant financial and logistical commitments, and our responsibility is to ensure that any bid we submit is both achievable and competitive against larger markets that may currently have greater capability and capacity to meet the event's extensive requirements,' Lukenda's statement reads. Article content The Hounds have hosted the tournament once, in 1993, when they captured their lone CHL championship at the old Sault Memorial Gardens. Before its 2021 cancellation, the tournament was set to be held either in the Sault or Oshawa.
Ottawa Citizen
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Soo Greyhounds aim to bring more ‘big-league' feel to GFL Memorial Gardens
Article content When the Soo Greyhounds return to the ice next month, fans might find themselves looking up. A brand-new remote-controlled blimp, emblazoned with the team's logo and colours, will glide over the GFL Memorial Gardens this season. Article content The new addition is one of several 'fresh new touches' coming to the arena as the team continues to focus on building its in-game experience, according to Maya Lortie, the Greyhounds' business operations associate. Article content Article content 'We are always looking for new and creative ways to make a more memorable and exciting in-game experience for our fans at every Greyhounds game,' she told The Sault Star. 'The blimp will add a fun and new element to our game day presentation, and we think it will bring in a sense of excitement for fans of all ages, which is why we decided to introduce it this season.' Article content Article content The Canadian-made blimp, produced in Brantford, Ont., will fly during intermissions as 'both an entertainment and promotional tool,' featuring local businesses and spotlighting the team's community partners. It joins the popular Agawa Canyon train horn — introduced last season as the Hounds' new goal horn — as part of a growing focus on creating a vibrant home-game atmosphere. Article content The push to make Greyhounds games feel like a 'big-league' event also comes at a time of rising speculation about whether the team will bid to host the 2027 Memorial Cup, something the franchise hasn't done since it won its only CHL championship in 1993. Article content The Hounds have been active bidders in recent years, and owner Tim Lukenda didn't rule out the possibility of future submissions when the club's 2024 bid lost to Saginaw. When it comes to hosting the CHL's marquee tournament, strengthening arena atmosphere and community engagement are critical. Article content Several NHL teams employ blimps in their game day presentations, and the Greyhounds won't be the first in the OHL; the London Knights and Oshawa Generals, two of the top three teams in league attendance, are among the clubs to have taken part. Across the sports landscape, in-game entertainment has evolved to include blimps, light shows, and more interactive fan activations as teams look to turn every Wednesday-night game into an event.
Ottawa Citizen
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Greyhounds assistant joins Canada's national under-17 coaching staff
Soo Greyhounds assistant coach Brendan Taylor will be joining Canada's national under-17 coaching staff at the 2025 U17 World Challenge, Hockey Canada announced Tuesday afternoon. Article content 'I'm very honoured,' Taylor told The Sault Star. 'Anytime you get to work for your national team and be selected by the national team is a big thing and a big honour, and I'm really happy I could represent the Soo Greyhounds with Hockey Canada.' Article content Joining Taylor will be the Prince Albert Raiders' Ryan McDonald as the head coach of Canada Red. Article content Article content The Drummondville Voltigeurs' Mathieu Gravel will also serve as an assistant coach, with the Saskatoon Blades' Jeff Harvey serving as a goaltending consultant and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens' Enrick Corneau operating as video coach. Article content Taylor has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Greyhounds. Before landing in the Soo, Taylor spent six seasons with the Mississauga Steelheads as an assistant coach after serving as the video coach in 2016-17. Article content He said he's looking forward to the unique experience of coaching 16-year-old CHL rookies, who will only have about six weeks of major junior experience when they hit the ice together in Nova Scotia in November. Article content 'It's really cool to be working with the very best at their age group across the country, and I think for myself it will be a great learning experience,' said Taylor, who received the news two weeks ago. Article content Article content The former OHLer also said the appointment is 'a big step for me on my path to becoming a head coach in the league.' Article content Article content Article content John Dean extension: 'Well deserved' Article content Greyhounds head coach John Dean received a two-year contract extension last week, extending through the 2026-27 OHL season. Article content Dean has compiled a 206-155-29-14 record through six seasons behind the Soo bench, advancing to the second round of the post-season three times in four playoff appearances. Article content However, last season was a down year, with the team finishing well below .500 and bowing out in the first round to the Windsor Spitfires. Although the team enjoyed a successful 2023-24 campaign with a 45-18-5 record, the 2022-23 season was somewhat forgettable with the team missing the playoffs entirely.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
OHL unveils 2025 preseason schedule, northern teams to feature prominently
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has released its 2025 preseason schedule, featuring 50 games across Ontario from August 29 to Sept. 14, with northern Ontario's three teams – the North Bay Battalion, Sudbury Wolves and Soo Greyhounds – set for early action. The preseason will include 18 neutral-site games, including a matchup between the Battalion and Owen Sound Attack on August 31 in Collingwood, while the Wolves and Greyhounds face off the same day in Sault Ste. Marie. The 2025-26 regular season opens Sept. 18, with the Battalion hosting the Oshawa Generals at North Bay's Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens. The Wolves and Greyhounds begin their campaigns the following night, with Sudbury hosting North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie welcoming the Saginaw Spirit. A preseason showcase will also take place over Labour Day weekend at Kitchener's Memorial Auditorium, with four additional neutral-site locations yet to be announced. The full pre-season and regular season schedules can be found on the Canadian Hockey League website.
