New ownership group takes control of the Montreal Canadiens ECHL affiliate and makes a commitment to Trois-Rivieres.
On Tuesday, the ECHL announced that the Board of Governors approved the transfer of the Trois-Rivieres Lions from Deacon Sports and Entertainment (DSE) to Spire Hockey. The league’s favorable vote was the final step in concluding the sale between both parties.
“The arrival of Spire Hockey in Trois-Rivieres will mark a new day for the Lions,” said ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin via statement. “Their ownership and management team have a proven successful track-record in the League, and we are excited for the players and fans for the future of ECHL hockey in the market.”
“Spire Hockey is thrilled to expand our footprint and begin immersing ourselves in the Trois-Rivieres market,” said Spire Hockey co-owner Jeff Dickerson in a press release. “We take tremendous pride in being pillars of the communities where our teams call home and are wholly committed to being an organization that everyone in Trois-Rivieres can be proud of. It’s a new day and Spire Hockey is eager to write a new chapter in the Lions’ history.”
The Lions become the third franchise owned by Spire Hockey, joining the family with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Rapid City Rush.
Reports of DSE putting the Lions on sale surfaced in May 2023 when Steven Leal, president of Fix Network World, led a group to purchase the franchise. Despite discussions between the two groups, a sale did not materialize, and the league set an April 2nd deadline for DSE to find a buyer.
At the 11th hour, Spire Hockey stepped up and concluded a deal in principle with DSE, pending league approval. Dickerson met the local media and committed to reach a deal with the city to keep the franchise in Trois-Rivieres long term.
In addition to negotiating a new lease with the city for the use of Colisee Videotron, Spire Hockey already began discussions with the Montreal Canadiens to extend the affiliation that concluded this season.
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