Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that, following a meeting of the OHL Board of Governors, the League has unanimously approved the transfer of ownership of the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club to a group consisting of majority owner Mr. Darren DeDobbelaer alongside minority stakeholder Mr. Wayne Gretzky.
“On behalf of my wife Michele and our family, we are more than excited to be part of this incredible League,” said DeDobbelaer. “The fans, facility and the Niagara Region are second to none and I’d like to thank the Ontario Hockey League for this tremendous opportunity.”
Gretzky, who played in the OHL for the Soo Greyhounds during the 1977-78 season prior to a Hall of Fame NHL career, also commented on the development.
“I’m really excited about being back in junior hockey and have always loved it. To be partnered with a fellow friend from Brantford is so exciting for all of us and we can’t wait to get started.”
The IceDogs franchise was established as the Mississauga IceDogs at the outset of the 1998-99 season and made the transition to the Niagara region after nine seasons in the summer of 2007 when Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Denise Burke purchased the club from the late Mr. Eugene Melnyk. Through their 14 seasons in Niagara, the IceDogs have won a pair of Eastern Conference championships (2012, 2016) and two Central Division banners (2012, 2019) while producing such names as Dougie Hamilton, Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan Strome and Carter Verhaeghe.
DeDobbelaer comes to the OHL having served as President and General Manager of the Brantford 99ers (OJHL) and Brantford Bandits (GOJHL) hockey clubs.
The IceDogs will have a number of new faces in their lineup when they return to the ice at the Meridian Centre under new ownership for their 2022-23 regular season home opener on Thursday, September 29 against the Mississauga Steelheads.
About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
