The Whitecourt Wolverines have been sold.
Wolverines Owner Brent Stark has sold the team to the Parkland Hockey Group (PHG) out of Spruce Grove.
Stark said he got several offers during the pandemic, and turned many of them down. However, Parkland’s was too tempting not to take.
“They said all the right things about our community and everything else. I listened a little more and a little more, and talked it over with Tracy, and as conversations started going more and more, started thinking that after 15 years, it was time to put new blood into the Wolverines,” said Stark, adding that Parkland’s interest in hockey development was key.
“You watch all these kids every year, driving into Spruce Grove and driving into Sherwood Park, and you know, it’s a lot of onus on a family to take these kids into the city all the time, it’s expensive.”
PHG runs several hockey camps across the province, including the Eagles Hockey Academy in Whitecourt.
PHG owner Craig Kibblewhite says they’ve been looking to add a Junior ‘A’ team to their development program for a while.
“We want to see some of those kids that we’re developing develop into the junior level,” said Kibblewhite.
PHG also has several Hockey Super League (HSL) teams in its portfolio, and are looking to bring two into Whitecourt.
That commitment to Whitecourt is also what made their offer attractive to Stark.
“This group is invested heavily in Whitecourt, beyond the purchase price and buying the hockey team. They want to work with the Town and will be taking over the dressing room lease,” said Stark.
The Whitecourt Wolverines and Town of Whitecourt partnered to build an expanded dressing room at the Scott Safety Centre for use by the Wolverines, and the Wolverines currently lease it.
Stark added that he too remains committed to Whitecourt, and won’t be leaving anytime soon. He says he’ll still be heading down to the rink to cheer on the Wolverines.
The AJHL will return to 16 teams in 2021-22 with the addition of the Blackfalds Bulldogs for their inaugural season. Each team will compete in a 60-game schedule, including 16 interlock games, and two regular season games at the Annual AJHL Showcase.
The Whitecourt Wolverines will open the 2021-22 AJHL Regular Season on Friday, September 17 at the Scott Safety Centre with back to back games versus the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.
Listen to our exclusive interview with Brent Stark below…
