Sale of Yarmouth Mariners now complete

By Michael Gorman

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

The sale of the Yarmouth Mariners is now complete.

The transaction between former owner Jack Ross and his minority shareholders received league approval at a special meeting of the MJAHL board of governors on Dec. 3.

The new ownership is comprised of a group of local people from the business and professional community. Raymond Jacquard, a local lawyer, was appointed by the group as the team's new governor. Jacquard confirmed that there would be no changes to the team's coaching staff or GM position.

Derryl Smith, President of the MJAHL, said when a team is owned locally it means good things from a stability point of view. “Broad-based community support and ownership of the Yarmouth hockey club will bring long-term stability to the franchise and further improve the interest and development of the MJAHL,” he said.

John Lynn, Chairman of the board of governors, said the board was pleased to see the transfer of ownership done cleanly and quickly and in a way that was in the best interest of the community. “We are very fortunate to have such a group step up and show, in the most tangible way, long term-support for the Yarmouth franchise, which is both important to the community and the MJAHL. We are grateful that Mr. Ross and Mr. Jacquard were able to conclude this transaction in a positive and seamless manner.”

Talk of a pending sale of the team first started more than a month ago and last week The Vanguard confirmed on this website that the team's sale was imminent.

The sale also brings to a close the Jack Ross era in Yarmouth. Short though it was, it's difficult to call Ross's time in Yarmouth anything but successful. After taking control of the team last spring from former owner Paul Currie, Ross promised big things for the team and town and delivered in all areas.

The Mariners are on top of their division and eighth in the national Jr. A rankings.

Indeed, the turnaround promised by Ross when he bought the team is in full swing, however now he won't be here to see if his promise of bringing the Kent Cup to Yarmouth will come true.