What’s old is new again: Winless Canadian junior hockey team makes ownership change

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On the heels of a historically bad season, the Sarnia Legionnaires are changing owners.

The Jr. B hockey club is reverting to the group that was at the helm of the organization before it went 0-50.

Owner and general manager Jonathan Periard is out after just one season, and the previous ownership cluster of four people is back overseeing things, according to the league. That group includes Theo Bet, Paul Hurtubise, Cliff Smith and Terry Lilley.

The commissioner for the Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL), Chris Spada, wouldn’t get into specifics when asked if he felt it was a mutual parting of the ways.

“I think that’s something we’ll leave as an internal matter at this time,” Spada told CBC News.

“This was something that was decided amongst previous, current [ownership] and me, per se, so I would leave it at that for now.”

The LaSalle Vipers and Legionnaires battle for the puck in front of Sarnia's net in GOHL action earlier this season. — The LaSalle Vipers and Legionnaires battle for the puck in front of Sarnia’s net in GOHL action earlier this season. (Sarnia Legionnaires/Facebook/Shawna Lavoie Photography)

The team concluded its winless season with an 8-2 defeat in Elmira on Sunday — finishing with a goal differential of minus-258.

Spada says the new (old) owners had a long previous run and stepped away a year ago because they felt the time was right to move on.

“I don’t want to say they’re back at it unwillingly. They’re certainly back at it because they care and love the team and have always cared about the organization being successful.”

Spada says the change is the “right thing for the GOHL.

CBC News has reached out to Periard for comment, but has not received a reply. Periard’s son played for the team.

“The obligations for the new purchaser were not able to be fulfilled by him, and therefore the situation reverted back to the original group,” Spada said.

The Legionnaires, in red, try and take the puck from the opposition in front of their net in GOHL game action. (Sarnia Legionnaires/Facebook/Shawna Lavoie Photography)

The club wasn’t able to earn a single point this season — something that’s never been done since the league was formed in 2007.

“The on-ice product was not a result of past ownership, is what I’d say,” added Spada.

Despite all of the losing, the team continued to draw strong attendance, according to the commissioner. The team plays at Sarnia’s Pat Stapleton Arena.