Latest news with #SarniaSting
CTV News
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
‘They're the gold standard': New Sarnia Sting owners looking to replicate London Knights' success
The new majority owners of the Sarnia Sting, Ryan Finch (middle) and Mark Guy (right), pose for a photo with minority owner David Legwand at a media conference in Point Edward, Ont. on June 16, 2025. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) A prominent London businessman and a former London Knight are the new majority owners of the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Ryan Finch, president of Finch Auto Group, and Mark Guy, a former Knight and Western Mustang who has spent more than 25 years in the hockey world, have purchased the majority stake from current owner David Legwand. During their media conference Monday in Point Edward, the two stressed their goal in purchasing the team was to not only keep it in Sarnia but also take the team to new heights. They want to not only host a Memorial Cup tournament but also win one. They stressed their desire to replicate the success of their Highway 402 rivals in London. 'There's no doubt they're the gold standard,' said Guy. 'The last three years you watched that team and how good they were and where they competed. That's where we need to get to, to be successful. They work harder than anybody else and we're going to make sure we match that. If not, beat it.' SARNIA STING CONFERENCE Ryan Finch (left) and Mark Guy smile during a media conference announcing their new majority ownership stake in the OHL's Sarnia Sting on June 16, 2025. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) Finch's company is the title sponsor of the London Knights. Now he's purchased the closest rival to his favourite junior hockey team. 'Business is all about competition, and the Hunters - Mark, Dylan, and Dale - are dear friends of mine, and I can't wait to start competing against them,' said Finch. 'I think they're going to enjoy that, too. That's what sports is all about.' How will he manage his fandom with his new role? 'I mean the businesses in London are corporate sponsors of the team. They're connected to the team for sure,' said Finch. 'But our dealership in Sarnia is directly connected to the team. Now that we have an ownership position, this is where our heart is, from a hockey standpoint. I want to beat London so bad.' To accomplish that feat, they'll have to invest. SARNIA STING CONFERENCE Finch Ford Lincoln in Sarnia is owned by Finch Auto Group with Mark Guy as managing partner. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) 'It's scouting, it's development,' said Guy. 'It's making sure we have the right people in the right roles, and enough of the right people in the right roles to do it. It's also about me personally being out and being on the road and being at games and scouting. The one thing that you always hear about Mark Hunter is there's never a game that he's not at, and we've got a match that we want to be able to compete.' On the business side, they want to continue the improvements made under Legwand's leadership. 'He's done an incredible job digitizing the rink, getting the player development piece tight and he's done an excellent job with this team,' said Finch. 'Mark and I are just hoping to inject a couple of different ingredients and help the team kind of break through to that next level.' Guy said he's been coming to games in Sarnia for more than three decades, including when his son was the Sting's captain. It became his home just over three years ago. 'There are some improvements that we're going to speak to the city and work with some of our partners on to try to make a better fan experience. We're always looking to add to that. We'll be touring around different facilities, picking out some of the good things from them, both at the pro level and the junior level and hopefully bring some of that stuff back so our fans can have the best experience possible,' he said. During the media conference, the Sting invited fans to attend. Lynne Mazurek, a season ticket holder with the logo tattooed on her arm, couldn't hold back her excitement. SARNIA STING CONFERENCE Sarnia Sting Season ticket holder Lynne Mazurek is so dedicated to the hockey club, she got the logo tattooed on her arm. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) 'We've been waiting a long time to win a championship, and with this it's going to happen,' said Mazurek. 'We all know that it takes money, and Mr. Guy has the knowledge. We thrive to beat the Knights because they are the team to beat. There's a rivalry and we're going to do it.' Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley was around when the Newmarket Royals came to Sarnia with the Cicarelli family purchasing the team and the city constructing a new building. 'In the OHL, the market has proven the smaller communities are vibrant, they're very engaged to the team,' said Bradley. 'In this type of community, we know the team well. Even last year, which was a flat year for the team, there was 4,000 people at every game. Now we have a chance to up the rivalry with the evil London Knights, so it's a banner day.' Pending City Council approval, the new ownership group is expected to officially assume operations later this month.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Brantford Bulldogs name new director of goaltending, has ties to Kitchener Rangers
The Brantford Bulldogs team bus is seen parked outside the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in this file photo taken on September 1, 2024. (Shelby Knox/CTV News) The Brantford Bulldogs have announced Franky Palazzese, a former Ontario Hockey League (OHL) player, as the club's new director of goaltending. Bulldogs General Manager Spencer Hyman made the announcement on Monday. 'I am excited to work with current elite goaltenders Ryerson Leenders and David Egorov, and to build a great future stable of strong goaltending for years to come,' Palazzese said in a media release. 'I look forward to helping contribute to the goal of bringing an OHL Championship to Brantford.' Prior to his new role, Palazzese was the goaltending coach for Sarnia Sting for six years and a coach with the University of Toronto's Varsity Blues (Ontario University Athletics). Palazzese was also a former hockey player. From 2009 to 2014, he played with the Kingston Frontenacs, the Sudbury Wolves and the Kitchener Rangers. He played a total of 193 OHL games during his time. He also had stints with the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League. The OHL's regular season begins in September.
CBC
28-02-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: Feb. 28 to March 2
The calendar changes from one month to the next this weekend and cold temperatures are set to make their return along with a chance of flurries on Saturday and Sunday. Although it's going to be cold, the sun may peak out, which makes it a good weekend for hiking at the Huron Natural Area in Kitchener, sledding on a nearby hill or visiting one of many outdoor rinks maintained by volunteers in local parks. The Kitchener Rangers are home Friday night, hosting the Sarnia Sting. Then they hit the road to Owen Sound Saturday evening. The Guelph Storm host the Flint Firebirds Friday night at the Sleeman Centre, then head to Sarnia for an afternoon game against the Sting on Sunday afternoon. The K-W Titans basketball team are on the road Saturday in London, but home to the Windsor Express on Sunday with tipoff at 2 p.m. There are games for kids before the action begins and stick around after to get autographs from the players. If you're driving this weekend, here are some gas prices: Community Art Saturday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Waterloo Public Library, John M. Harper Branch The Laurelwood Neighbourhood Association is hosting a drop-in workshop that will create a community art project inspired by flora and fauna in Waterloo. Artist Megha Birmiwal will be on hand to help guide people. Materials and sample designs will be provided and there's also a chance to make a spring-themed bookmark. Waterloo Public Library event page Food Festival Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rotary Complex, 353 McCarthy Rd., Stratford The Stratford Makers Market is holding a food festival with more than 65 vendors. There will be vendors inside and food trucks outside. Entry is by donation. Visit Stratford event page Sensory Saturday or Family Sunday Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery This free, drop-in event is specifically designed for neurodiverse visitors, including those with ADHD, OCE and sensory processing disorder. There will be a variety of sensory devices like liquid tiles, wiggle chairs, texture tiles, and weighted animals and blankets. On Sunday, visit KWAG for a family friendly afternoon of creativity in the community access space. This is also a free, drop-in program. Music in Guelph All weekend Various venues There is a lot of music in Guelph this weekend, so best to list it all in one place: Singer-songwriter Craig Cardiff is performing at The Albion: Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Music Weekends in Downtown Guelph continues this weekend with a JamSchool Showcase for adults on Saturday and a JamSchool Showcase for youth on Sunday. Both showcases begin at 2 p.m. and will be at Royal Electric. The free Fourth Friday concert at the Guelph Civic Museum is Verese Vassell-Bowen. This concert, which begins at 7 p.m., is being put on in partnership with the Guelph Black Heritage Society. Family Candy Making Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ken Seiling Region of Waterloo Museum, 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener This paid workshop is for children eight years old and up and they need to have an adult with them. Learn to make treats like marshmallows, stuffed dates, maple cream fudge and take part in a taffy candy pull. Each participants gets a box of goodies to take home. Registration required.
