Owen Sound Attack sold, staying in Scenic City

The Owen Sound Attack hockey team has been sold, but the new owners say the team will remain in the city.

The Owen Sound Attack have been sold, but the new owners say the team is staying in the Scenic City.

A former OHL champion and forestry magnate are part of the new ownership group.

Tyler Nother, who won a Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires in 2017 will take over as the OHL team’s governor and president. Donald McClure, the managing director of Cogent Forest Products, leads the new ownership group, calling itself Ecological Dynamics Sports Partners (EDSP).

The new ownership group takes over from a group of Owen Sound based businesspeople who bought the team in 2000, saving it from moving to Cornwall.

Many feared that with local ownership moving on, the team may be on the move, but the new owners are committed to keeping the team in the Scenic City.

“We are thrilled to make this important investment in hockey, in players, and in the Owen Sound community,” said Nother.

“Our goal is to build an environment where players are developed to their fullest potential, coaches are supported with world-class resources, and our team competes every single year. We are committed to ensuring the Attack has the resources required to compete at the highest level in today’s evolving junior hockey landscape,” he continued.

Bob Severs, longtime co-owner of the Attack, will stay on with the team as head of business operations and community relations.

“As we considered what the future could hold for the Attack, we wanted to ensure the next ownership team would build a franchise that reflects the values of our community here in Owen Sound,” said Severs.

“Ultimately, Tyler and his team at EDSP made it clear that they respect the Attack’s deep roots in the region and can capitalize on the new investment and fresh vision to bring the organization into its next chapter,” he said.

The Ontario Hockey League gave their ringing endorsement to the sale on Wednesday.

“We are excited to welcome Tyler Nother as the leader of this next phase of hockey in Owen Sound,” says OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. “Tyler has built a reputation over many years as someone deeply committed to the player experience and to the long-term health of our league. He is perfectly positioned to lead this new chapter of the Owen Sound Attack, and we are proud to have him as a partner in the OHL.”

Crawford also acknowledged the legacy of the outgoing ownership group.

“The league has deep gratitude for the stewardship of Dr. Bob Severs, along with Peter and Paul MacDermid. Their commitment ensured that Owen Sound consistently had a team the community could be proud of, both on and off the ice. We thank them for their years of dedication and for identifying such a strong successor ownership group to continue building the Attack in Owen Sound,” he said.

Owen Sound is the smallest market in the Ontario Hockey League. They have routinely made the playoffs over the past decade but last won the J. Ross Robertson OHL championship in 2011.

Next season will mark the 37^th season for the Owen Sound Attack franchise.