The Town of Wasaga Beach announced today that a new Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL) junior team will be playing out of the town's new arena, opening soon.
Mayor Brian Smith shared the news from centre ice today at the new arena, which includes two rinks, both "NHL-size."
The league awarded current Bradford Bulls owner, Brandon Billie, the new, yet-unnamed team. The Bradford Bulls are part of the same league, along with other local teams including the Meaford Knights, Tottenham Railers, and the North York Renegades. Teams in the league go as far as Quebec.
“We are excited to announce that the Town of Wasaga Beach is now the proud home of a yet-to-be-named Junior A hockey team. This team will be playing their home games out of the new Wasaga Stars Arena, right here at 544 River Road West in Wasaga Beach,” said Mayor Smith in a news release. "There's amazing passion for hockey in the Wasaga Beach community. Our residents have wanted a local team to identify with for a long time, and council made that a priority. Today, our passion and persistence has paid off."
The first GMHL game on the new ice at Wasaga will be Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. featuring the Bradford Bulls against the Meaford Knights. Tickets will be $10 per person with all proceeds going to the Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey Association. This will also be the night the town launches a naming contest for the new junior A team.
Starting this spring, there will be a special prospects tournament to allow coaching staff and the team's general manager to identify local players ready to join a junior A team. Play begins in September.
