The Sarnia Sting has been sold.
The announcement Thursday morning at the RBC Centre took many off guard.
Former NHLer Derian Hatcher and current NHLer David Legwand have purchased the OHL club pending league and city approval. The next OHL board meeting is February 2.
No purchase price has been disclosed.
Hatcher, a Sterling Heights Michigan native, played 16 seasons in the NHL and Legwand, from Detroit, is in his 16th NHL season with the Ottawa Senators. Legwand played his junior hockey with the Whalers in Plymouth.
Hatcher says talk about buying the Sting dates back to the summer.
He says they intend to keep the team here.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Hatcher-on-Buying-Sting.mp3"][/audio]
Hatcher says it's way too early to talk about any organizational changes but he adds they will evaluate everything.
Rob Ciccarelli says, after 20 years, selling the team is bittersweet.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Ciccarelli-on-Sting-sale.mp3"][/audio]
Ciccarelli says they wouldn't entertain any offers that would have moved the team.
He says maintaining ownership became difficult for him and brother Larry because of their involvement in other business ventures.
They intend to maintain a suite at the RBC Centre and cheer on the Sting when they're in town.
(With files from Josh Boyce)