The Ontario Hockey League today announced that it has unanimously approved the transfer of ownership of the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club to a group consisting of majority owner Darren DeDobbelaer alongside minority stakeholder Wayne Gretzky.
The North Bay Battalion will play the IceDogs Thursday, Nov. 3 at home.
"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 Bill and Denise Burke purchased the club from the late 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.
