St. John's city council unanimously approved a deal between St. John's Sports and Entertainment, which operates Mile One Centre, and Acadie-Bathurst Titan owner Leo-Guy Morrissette that will see the Titan relocate to St. John's for the 2009-10 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season, the first in a five-year lease agreement.
St. John's operated a QMJHL team for three years - the Fog Devils - before it was sold to Montreal businessman Farrell Miller and relocated to suburban Verdun, Que. last year.
The Titan has played in Bathurst, N.B. for 10 seasons. But the area economy has been hit hard of late, and that's translated into low attendance for the team.
Acadie-Bathurst has the lowest attendance in the QMJHL, averaging fewer than 1,800 fans in the 3,162-seat K.C. Irving Regional Centre. The area has a population hovering around the 12,000 mark.
Morrissette has owned the Titan - prior to Bathurst the team was located in Laval, Que. - for 25 years.
City council approved a financial model of the deal Thursday. That model, which calls for a break-even position for Mile One at the end of the day, and no subsidy by the city to the hockey team, was accepted by Morrissette Friday.
The whole package was reviewed by council at an emergency meeting Saturday, and unanimously accepted.
SJSE president Gerry Smith would not release any financial details Saturday. But he did say his group would remain responsible for all corporate sales at Mile One, sharing revenue with the Titan, while the team would take care of selling tickets.
Ticket prices, Smith said, are expected to be as low as $8 plus tax for kids up to $16 for adults.
Smith did not know if the team will carry the Titan name, or if the club will be renamed.
Before the Titan moves to St. John's, the sale still has to be approved by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's board of governors.
rshort@thetelegram.com
St. John's, Titan reach five-year agreement
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Published on
March 7, 2009
- Published on July 1, 2010
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Staff ~ The Telegram
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Comments
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- Don
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:04
I can't help but think this is premature and generally poor reporting. It suggests a conclusion to this series of negotiations which is far from certain. The owner of the Titan is holding a press conference in Bathurst tomorrow at 3 pm. We will see what happens then.
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- j
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:50
uh oh is correct...while there is a plan that was approved by council for the TITAN...nothing has been finalized on GUY'S end...he does have other offers and this maybe a ploy for a better deal in NB...research the story before you print it please...i hope it does happen though!
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- Mike
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:26
If they come to St. Johns I'll be buying season tickets next season without a doubt, if this goes through I can't wait to go back to Mile One again, how I've missed live hockey!!!
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- Ron
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:01
Well St. John's, here is a second chance, which no one in the hockey world thought it would get... to have hockey again. I hope the fans understand now and will show up to support the team.
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- sandy
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:09
Don't forget to have a look at the TELY POLL...53% say NO, would not attend a game at Mile One.
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- Oh
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:53
Um, I see a different story..... Not a done deal. Just a few jumping the gun it seems. People forget that this team has an owner that has other offers that just might be better.
Titan Owner Contemplating Move to St. John's
March 8, 2009
St. John's are hoping they will once again have a major junior hockey team. Officials from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan reached a tentative deal with St. John's Sports and Entertainment yesterday. Mayor Dennis O'Keefe says the 5 year deal still has to be ratified with the QMJHL. However it's been reported Titan owner Léo-Guy Morrissette actually has three offers on his table today as he ponders a decision about his team's future. A confirmed decision is expected tomorrow, but the team would be in the capital city for the 2009-2010 season if he elects to move the team to St. John's. O'Keefe says it would be a great boost for the city. O'Keefe says there are still some details needing to be ironed out should the team move here, including a name for the team.
People countin them eggs again before they hatch. Shame on you. -
- Don
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:20
I can't help but think this is premature and generally poor reporting. It suggests a conclusion to this series of negotiations which is far from certain. The owner of the Titan is holding a press conference in Bathurst tomorrow at 3 pm. We will see what happens then.
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- j
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:34
uh oh is correct...while there is a plan that was approved by council for the TITAN...nothing has been finalized on GUY'S end...he does have other offers and this maybe a ploy for a better deal in NB...research the story before you print it please...i hope it does happen though!
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- Mike
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:31:26
If they come to St. Johns I'll be buying season tickets next season without a doubt, if this goes through I can't wait to go back to Mile One again, how I've missed live hockey!!!
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- Ron
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:05
Well St. John's, here is a second chance, which no one in the hockey world thought it would get... to have hockey again. I hope the fans understand now and will show up to support the team.
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- sandy
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:27:30
Don't forget to have a look at the TELY POLL...53% say NO, would not attend a game at Mile One.
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- Oh
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:27:06
Um, I see a different story..... Not a done deal. Just a few jumping the gun it seems. People forget that this team has an owner that has other offers that just might be better.
Titan Owner Contemplating Move to St. John's
March 8, 2009
St. John's are hoping they will once again have a major junior hockey team. Officials from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan reached a tentative deal with St. John's Sports and Entertainment yesterday. Mayor Dennis O'Keefe says the 5 year deal still has to be ratified with the QMJHL. However it's been reported Titan owner Léo-Guy Morrissette actually has three offers on his table today as he ponders a decision about his team's future. A confirmed decision is expected tomorrow, but the team would be in the capital city for the 2009-2010 season if he elects to move the team to St. John's. O'Keefe says it would be a great boost for the city. O'Keefe says there are still some details needing to be ironed out should the team move here, including a name for the team.
People countin them eggs again before they hatch. Shame on you.
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