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Barn Burner charity hockey game nets record $702K

Stephen J. Donkers — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:53:29 +0000

The annual Barn Burner charity hockey game in Barrie scored a record $702,000 for local charities Thursday night.

Hockey fans gathered at Sadlon Arena on Aug. 6 for an evening of entertainment and fundraising featuring NHL players, PWHL players, hockey alumni and community guests.

The 2026 total surpasses the more than $605,000 raised by the 2025 Barn Burner.

Proceeds from this year’s event will support several local organizations and community initiatives like the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Foundation, the John Tavares Foundation, PIE Education, local Rotary clubs and the Easter Seals.

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, who hosted the event, thanked all the people who worked to make the fundraiser a success.

“Every sponsor, player, volunteer and fan played a part in making this our most successful Barn Burner yet,” he said.

“Thank you for believing in this event and, most importantly, in the local charities and families who will benefit from it.”

The 2026 lineup included Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares, NHL players Aaron Ekblad, Bo Horvat and Andrew Mangiapane. NHL alumnus Sam Gagner, Barrie Colts alumnus Kashawn Aitcheson and PWHL star Jessie Eldridge were there too. The game also featured professional and community players like Erik Gudbranson and Brady Leavold.

Gudbranson, who played for Team Denim, told Compass News that helping the community was an important reason for taking part.

“It’s about the charity and giving back where I can, especially to an organization that has done so much for me,” he said.

Leavold, who played for Team Plaid, said hockey has always been important in his life.

“Hockey is an incredible game and it does so much good – I know it’s been such a positive impact in my life,” he said.

The Barn Burner has become one of the region’s largest charitable sporting events, combining professional hockey with live music, entertainment and community fundraising.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $4 million for local causes.

Plans are already underway for next year’s edition.

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Barrie Colts enter new era as OHL approves sale

Stephen J. Donkers — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 15:51:30 +0000

A new chapter has begun for the Barrie Colts.

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) has approved the sale of the Barrie franchise to Toronto-area businessman John Careri, ending Howie Campbell’s nearly 20-year tenure as the club’s owner.

The league announced the ownership transfer July 31 after the OHL Board of Governors approved the transaction. Campbell purchased the Colts in 2006 from founding owner Jamie Massie.

Careri is president and chief executive officer of JONVIC Capital Inc. He also owns the Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League and Everest Academy, a private athletic and academic school in Vaughan focused on developing student-athletes.

In a news release, OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford said Careri is well-positioned to lead one of the league’s premier franchises.

“The Barrie Colts are one of the Ontario Hockey League’s flagship franchises,” he said.

“John Careri brings proven leadership, a passion for developing young people and a strong vision for the future of the organization. We are pleased to welcome him to the OHL.”

Careri said he plans to build on the organization’s history while investing in its future both on and off the ice.

“The Barrie Colts have a rich tradition, an outstanding fan base and deep roots in the community,” he said.

“I look forward to working alongside the players, staff, partners and supporters as we build on that legacy together.”

Campbell will remain with the organization as a shareholder and adviser.

The Colts are coming off one of the best seasons in franchise history, winning the Central Division title and advancing to the OHL championship series before falling to the Kitchener Rangers.

The ownership change comes just over a year after the club signed a 15-year lease extension with the City of Barrie, securing its future at the Sadlon Arena.

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Canadian Tire Centre to host its first PWHL game in December

Davis Legree — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:52:50 +0000

The Ottawa Charge will look to electrify fans on a bigger stage in a game against the Montreal Victoire held at the Canadian Tire Centre in December.

It will be the first time the 19,000-plus capacity arena will play host to the new women’s professional hockey league. Last year, the Charge (then called PWHL Ottawa) played each of their home games at TD Place Arena at Lansdowne, which has a capacity of 8,585.

“We are excited for the opportunity to bring our game to the Canadian Tire Centre for the first time,” said Ottawa General Manager Mike Hirshfeld in a statement released by the league. “This game is coming on early in our season, so we’re hoping to fill the place, as we’re going to need their energy when we face our closest rivals.”

It won’t be the first time the PWHL had made the jump to major sporting venues, as two games last season between Toronto and Montreal saw record crowds for women’s hockey. In particular, an April game at the Bell Centre in Montreal, branded the ‘Duel at the Top,’ took place in front of a sold-out crowd of 21,105 people.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Frost’s home arena last year was the Xcel Energy Center, which they shared with the Minnesota Wild. The Frost were among the league leaders in average attendance en route to winning the league’s first championship.

The matchup at the Canadian Tire Centre is likely to feature the largest crowd ever to watch the Charge play, as the team’s biggest turnout was 8,452 last season.

“I’ve played in that arena many times, including in a World Championship setting,” read a statement from Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner. “Our fans have earned that opportunity with how much they showed up last year.”

“So, if we can fill that arena with really loud fans, I think it’s going to be such a fun environment.”

The newly-named Charge are looking to rebound after an inaugural season where they were one of only two teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs. It will also be the team’s first season without star forward Daryl Watts, who left for Toronto in free agency over the summer, after enjoying a breakout season in the nation’s capital.

That being said, Jenner, who has been part of three Canadian Olympic teams, will be back for another season in the red-and-white, as will Katerina Mrazova, who led the team in assists last year.

Ottawa is also set to welcome highly-touted Danielle Serdachny to the squad. The 23-year-old from Edmonton, Alta., was taken with the second overall pick in the most recent PWHL draft. Serdachny played her college hockey at Colgate University and already has experience representing Canada on an international level, having been part of the World Championship-winning team earlier this year.

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