Dino Ciccarelli believes Sarnia Sting fans have a lot to feel good about these days.
The Sarnia-born NHLer was a part-owner of the club from 1994-2009 alongside his brothers Rob and Larry.
The team was sold to Derian Hatcher and David Legwand in January of 2015.
Ciccarelli says the Sting are in good hands.
"You got Derian Hatcher right now and he's kind of like one of the Hunter brothers because he's right into it, and he's passionate about what he's doing here, him and David Legwand," says Ciccarelli. "Obviously they want to build a winning team and bring a championship to Sarnia, and I think the city's in good shape because they got the right guys running [the team]."
Ciccarelli was recently in town for the grand opening of the new Match restaurant at the Point Edward casino on July 5.
He spoke with Blackburn News about what he's up to now, and about all the memories he made during his time in Sarnia.
"You know it's always nice to come back because this is where I grew up. Obviously, I don't live here anymore but seeing some of the fans that have always supported me when I was kid, and all the people coming up to me saying "Hey I knew your dad, I knew your mom," you know, I lost both of my parents," he says. "You never forget your hometown, and where you grew up, and the people that supported you."
Derian Hatcher, Dino Ciccarelli and Wendel Clark.
Ciccarelli says he's staying busy and still playing hockey from time-to-time with other NHL alumni.
"I got a couple of restaurants in the Detroit area, I live on the water in Lake St. Clair. I'm still involved with the Red Wings alumni, and obviously, I'm fortunate to be apart of the Hockey Hall of Fame."
The 58-year-old played 19 seasons in the NHL from 1980-1999 with the North Stars, Capitals, Red Wings, Lightning and Panthers.
In 1232 NHL games, he scored 608 goals and had 1,200 points.
In his one season with the Sarnia Bees in 1975-76, he scored 45 goals and had 88 points as a 15-year-old.
Ciccarelli was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.