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22 -The Canadian Champion, Friday, June 22, 2001 tA- 1 1 ~~~~~~~ ~ 4289 M, I1A I0NII DAY o Na-1-1n-100s v"Grant seils Jr. Merchants to Oakville trio Fifteen-year tenure with club cornes to an end______ OW* Qul~Relatm Late Model Whicle *Law Everyda Pries! *Short Term Leasing *Free Pick-up & Delivery Nu Charge lui By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion It's Milton's biggest hockey story in recent years, and there wasn't even ice involved. Brad Grant dropped a bombsheil on the local sport- ing cornmunity carlier this weck by announcing the sale of his Milton Merchants. The move cornes a decade-and-a-hla 1llaller the truck- ing magnate acquired the junior club and took i from a bottom feeder to a provincial powerhousc. Now hes tuming over operations to an Oakville- based trio which includes ex-NHLer Dave Gagne. Among the other buycrs arc Mario Forgione and Ken Chase- thc president ol an automotive parts manu- facturer and a wine distillery consultant respecîively. "I just leIt it was liime" le said ofl te sale. -I have a farni- ~ __ y and a -rowing » 9 business and bot h need mny attention." Merchants owner- who deparis with crowns. three league chiampionships and a provincial titde under bis belt- said h'd had sevr ai ofîcrs to selI the club in recent years but up until now was neyer convinced the prospective buyers bad enough commitment to mainîaining the team's bigb standards. He added, 1i like what 1 heard from these guys. They said the right things without the glitter. They're not planning any wholesale changes, lhey just what to build on what we've already got here." Carrigan gone as weil The sale represenîs part two of a duel departure in Merchant land this spring. Also on the way out is Gregg Carrigan - who despile not playing an active role with the club during much of the past two years remained a reassuring sounding board corne playoff ime. He'll now reunite wilh former Merchant skipper Marty Williamson in Aurora. Otherwise, Milton's brain trust - including coach Glenn Walsh and general manager Nick Slawson - as well as the entire executive and support staff are expected to stay on, said Forgione. *'We're not looking 10 break anything up. We bave 10 be very respectful otf the istory and tradition sur- rounding the Merchants," hie said. Miltons new owners first approached Grant back in April - after efforts to buy the Oakville Blades and Stouffvilte Spirit feli through. Follow-up discussions with Grant - wbo contrary to rumours bas no plans to get involved witb an OHL franchise - proved fruitful and tlie sale was inalized latelast week. Grant will remain part of the league's board of direc- tors - whicb be's had a big part in building over the years. However, he bas no doubt that leaving the Merchants will be- ditficult. Leaving will be bard Its going Io1 bc tough. Ive corne in contact with a lot oh terrifie people over the years ibat I would never have lad a chance to know il il wasn't tor hockey." Meanwhile, Slawson said initial meetings with the teami's new owners base been quite positive - but added that be'll missing working Brad's comnitinent port of' the players and personnel is Llniparailleled." said Imm "There's probably owncrs in the league approach bis level oh support. He was a real pleasure to work with." Maintaining the club's personnel and scholastic pro- gram will be keys to continued success, said Forgione - wbose only initial concern is bow the sale will be received by longtirne Merchant supporters. -1 just hope they (fans) dont see us as outsiders," be said. -1 really like to, think otf us as Halton owners" Whi le no drastie changes are planned for the hockey operations end of the club, Milton's new owners hope 10 get (lhe team more involved in the communiîy - sornething Grant admits be didn't bave enough lime for in recent years. And witb Gagne's wealth of connections, Ibere rnay be the occasional NHLer dropping by Memorial Arena. Said Forgione, *"We're planning a big show for the season opener. I'rn really exciled about the coming season.- The Merchanîs first faste of competition under their new ownership cornes this weekend at the annual OHA Referee Sebool Tournament at the University of Waterloo. Milton bias won the tourtuainent the pasi two years. Aller 15 years with the club, Brad Grant has sold the Milton Merchants. His departure cornes on the heels of (seen at Ieft) the team's West Conference championship victory over archrival Brampton. Midgets blast Gueipli Milton's midgeî basebaîl team returned to ils winning ways witb a vengeance, wbilewashing the Guelph Royals 9-0 Monday. Steve Spiers pilched a complete garne two-hitter en route to lifting the Red Sox' league record to 8-3. An exceptional tielding carnpaign - witb standout performances by mniddle infielders Andrew Pepper and Ryan Harper - factored heavi ly in the shutout victory. Meanwhile, Milton delivered a bal- anced offensive effort, wilh contribu- tions coming up and down the lineup. Evan Jeans higblighled the evening wiîh bis second borne run of the year. Recording two bits apiece were Spiers and Kevin Cooper - each of drove in a pair of runs. The Iopsided win followed back-to- back losses, including one of the forfeit variety against Guelph's B squad last Tbursday (June 14). The Red Sox closed out the first balf of regular season play last night at home against Martingrove. Resulîs were flot available at press time. Now you have the power ta choose your electricity f rom a numbe.' of companios. CALL 1-988-669-4636 and veCRlve a frae. im-pag. bmochUvs. For more information on electricity competition in Ontario, please visit our website at www.est.govon.ca or Email: fyi@est.govon.Ça @ Ontario i .gamma,. 49 842-8892