The Ontario Hockey League’s Board of Governors will meet next Wednesday for a final review and vote on the pending sale of the Owen Sound Attack.
A letter dated May 6 from OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford to the City of Owen Sound says a proposed transfer of ownership of the Attack to “Ecological Dynamic Sports Partnerships” has been reviewed by the OHL’s Executive Committee and Board of Governors.
It’s unclear at this point who is involved with the group purchasing the Attack.
Crawford affirms in his letter the league is committed to ensuring the long-term success of OHL hockey in Owen Sound.
“The Owen Sound franchise has been an important member of the Ontario Hockey League and a valued part of the Owen Sound community for many years,” the OHL commissioner says. “The League remains strongly committed to the long-term stability and success of the franchise within the city and looks forward to continuing its longstanding relationship with the municipality and the community moving forward.”
Full correspondence to City of Owen Sound from OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford on pending sale of Owen Sound @AttackOHL pic.twitter.com/4ouCzihW7V
— Matt Hermiz (@MattHermiz) May 8, 2026
A report by Owen Sound City Manager Tim Simmonds says the city attended a meeting on April 15 at city hall with the current Attack ownership group — Dr. Bob Severs, Paul MacDermid and Peter MacDermid — OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford and a “prospective new investor or partner.”
“At the meeting, the Attack ownership outlined their intention to sell the Owen Sound Attack Team franchise to a new investor and noted their ongoing commitment to remain involved with the organization,” Simmonds says. “The sale of the team would be contingent on the OHL Board of Governors approving the sale. Current ownership indicated that they have entertained other offers in the recent past; however, finances aside, those offers were not viewed as the right fit for the community.”
“They emphasized that they are very confident in this prospective ownership group and its long-term commitment to Owen Sound,” Simmonds continues. “In response to questions about recent Ontario Hockey League media coverage related to expansion and relocation, the OHL Commissioner, existing ownership, and the prospective new ownership all stated clearly that this transaction is not an expansion or relocation opportunity. All parties emphasized that relocation does not benefit the league and provided several reasons supporting that position.”
Council will formally approve to assign the city’s existing lease with the Owen Sound Attack for use of the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre to the new ownership group — Ecological Dynamic Sports Partnerships — on Monday.