Bathurst welcomes MHL franchise
Pictured from left: Todd Pettigrew, Chief Administrative Officer ; Ryan Wilbur, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Mayor Kim Chamberlain, Roger Shannon, President and Governor; Kyle MacAllister, Head Coach and GM; Tyson Snow, team captain.
Bathurst will have elite junior hockey back at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre in the fall of this year. The city will welcome a Maritime Hockey League franchise that will be known as the Chaleur Lightning.
“Today, we start a new journey here in the Chaleur Region. I’m proud and honored of the opportunity to form a partnership with the City of Bathurst, privileged to bring in a new era of elite junior hockey inside the K.C. Irving Regional Centre. We are excited to open this new chapter. Having been part of the Titan organization for many years, at different times, I know the passion that comes from fans in the Chaleur Region and the Acadian Peninsula when it comes to their hockey. We cannot wait to get started”, said Roger Shannon, the Chaleur Lightning’s President and Governor.
The team logo comprises a lightning bolt and waves, representative of the Bay of Chaleur. It’s also a nod to NHLer Sean Couturier, from Bathurst, who played for the Chaleur region’s Peewee AAA and Bantam AAA Lightning.
“The road to the K.C. Irving Regional Centre bears his name, a recognition of the impact Sean has had in the Chaleur Region. So, it’s rather befitting the name he represented while in Peewee and Bantam AAA returns to this rink”, said Shannon.
The Chaleur Lightning’s arrival ensures the continued presence of high-caliber hockey at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre. “This is great news for the Chaleur region and beyond. We definitely have a solid market, with fans ready to support this new adventure. It’s easy to see Roger Shannon’s enthusiasm and commitment to positively engage the community. Combined with his extensive hockey knowledge and past successes, we have a solid new major tenant at the rink, one that fans will surely embrace”, said Mayor Kim Chamberlain.