31 March 2011
Statement to the Media,
From:
Brent Stark
President
Whitecourt Wolverines
Re: Proposed purchase of the Lloydminster Bobcats A.J.H.L Franchise.
It is with great disappointment that I would like to advise our fans and supporters that my efforts to secure a Junior A Franchise for Whitecourt, Alberta are not going to be successful as I have been advised that Mr. Wayne Russell is not going to live up to his commitment to sell the Lloydminster Bobcats to The Starks Sports Society.
The A.J.H.L has advised me that they have been informed by Wayne Russell, of the Bobcats organization, that he is now only going to entertain a sale of the team to the “Friends of the Bobcats” and should the league not approve that sale, he will not sell the team to anyone else. This communication from Wayne Russell has come as a surprise to all involved considering the time and effort that was made by all parties to enter into an original letter agreement to sell the Bobcats to myself and our organization.
While my character and credibility was often questioned and maligned by the many comments made by individuals close to the groups involved in this process, the Whitecourt organization remained silent with regard to these comments and actions, trusting in the word of the key players close to the actual facts. In the original draft letter agreement I committed to leave the team in Lloydminster, for at least one more season, to give a fair and honest effort to revitalize the club in Lloydminster, but I removed that commitment in the letter agreement at the request of the Mayor (Mayor Mulligan of Lloydminster) and Wayne Russell as they wanted the letter agreement to provide that the team would be moved immediately at the conclusion of the season. To the great fans of the Lloydminster Bobcats, who so valiantly displayed their desire and affection for the team, I was willing to work with all of you to revitalize the club in Lloydminster, but the actions of others prevented this from occurring.
I have been throughout this process, sensitive to the community of Lloydminster and Mr. Russell’s standing within it and our approach throughout has been honest, forthright and transparent in regards to the sale process.
The promise I made (which I had the full intention of delivering on) to the close friends and supporters of our organization in the Whitecourt / Woodlands Region, to realize on our dream of becoming home to a Junior A Franchise, has been delivered a blow by Mr. Russell. Through our business and our current hockey organization we have always strived to demonstrate our passion for the community and the pride we have in its people. Our Wolverines are once again Champions verifying the fact that this is the toughest place to play in our league. Our records are untarnished as is our reputation as citizens, business people and hockey fans.
The hockey world knows and understands that Whitecourt will be the next entry into the A.J.H.L and that while other franchises may suffer financially, we on the other hand demonstrated in less than 24 hours our ability to bring over 1000 fans to the season ticket ranks in our effort to welcome Junior A Hockey. For your support and dedication to the Wolverines all I can say is thank you and when one
needs to wonder why I would like to see Junior A hockey here, I simply have to point to the fans who game after game support their local hockey – you have earned my ongoing commitment to treat you fairly, honestly and in a forthright and transparent manner.
In closing I am reminded that we must go through life viewing ourselves through someone else’s eyes and being able to say we are proud of what we see. I know I can do that today, I know the fans and supporters of Whitecourt can do that today and I know the A.J.H.L can do that today.
Thank you
Brent Stark
