WHL Board of Governors Approve Sale of the Kamloops Blazers

Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League Board of Governors today approved the sale of the Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club to a new private ownership group led by Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi. Mr. Gaglardi and his partnership group consisting of ex-Blazers and current NHL players Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor reached an agreement to purchase the Kamloops Blazers Society in August, 2007. With the approval of the WHL Board of Governors today, the new ownership group will proceed with the closing of the sale later this month.
r
r “We are delighted to have an accomplished young businessman in Tom Gaglardi and some of the most distinguished WHL alumni in Shane Doan, Jarome Iginla, Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor take over ownership of this prestigious WHL franchise,” stated WHL Commissioner, Ron Robison. “At this time we wish to thank the Directors and Shareholders of the Kamloops Blazers Sports Society for the outstanding service they have provided to both the Club and the League over the past 25 years.”
r
r“My group is elated with the opportunity to steward the storied Kamloops Blazers franchise into the future within the Western Hockey League,” said Tom Gaglardi from the WHL Board of Governors Meeting in Calgary, AB today. “Growing up in the Kamloops area I have been a fan of the organization for many years. Now to have received endorsement from the WHL Board of Governors to move the franchise forward is a tremendous honor.”
r
rThe sale marks the first time the Club has had a private ownership since 1984 when the community based Kamloops Blazers Sports Society purchased the Club from the Edmonton Oilers to keep the franchise in Kamloops.
r