Junior B hockey has officially returned to Port Colborne.
The Thorold Blackhawks have made their temporary move to the Vale Health and Wellness Centre permanent beginning with the 2023/24 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season.
The Blackhawks relocated to Port Colborne last season due to ongoing construction of a new ice plant at the Thorold Arena. The team was also forced to leave Thorold Arena for the playoffs in 2022.
Blackhawks owner Scott Barnes said Port Colborne welcomed the franchise with open arms, which played into his decision to remain.
“For us, everything is here that we need,” he said. “The team really enjoyed it here last year.
“The city and the staff and everyone around here has been willing to work with us to make life easy for a junior B hockey team. That really came into play. This became a home for us.”
Barnes would like for the team to have a visible presence in the city.
“We’re eager to integrate the team into the community by having players take part in city events and school visits,” he said.
Port Colborne mayor Bill Steele said he is thrilled to have a team back in town permanently. Port Colborne had been without a junior B team since 2014 when the Pirates relocated to Pelham.
“Scott wanted to stay in Port after his season here and we’re grateful junior B hockey is back in Port Colborne,” Steele said. “It’s going to be great for the city. Scott has a number of Port Colborne kids playing for him on the team which is really good so those families and friends will be out.
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