The Ontario Hockey League has unanimously approved the transfer of ownership of the Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club to a group consisting of majority owner Darren DeDobbelaer alongside minority stakeholder Wayne Gretzky.
Gretzky says he's excited to be back in junior hockey and can't wait to get started.
Gretzky played in the OHL for the Soo Greyhounds during the 1977-78 season prior to a Hall of Fame NHL career,
DeDobbelar says "the fans, facility and the Niagara Region are second to none."
DeDobbelaer comes to the OHL having served as President and General Manager of the Brantford 99ers (OJHL) and Brantford Bandits (GOJHL) hockey clubs.
Meantime, Daniel Fitzgerald has been named the 6th head coach in team history.
Fitzgerald spent the last four years as Head Coach of the Brantford 99ers in the OJHL.
Prior to that he served as the bench boss of the St. Catharines Falcons.
Fitzgerald says he is excited to get started, “I am honoured to be named the Head Coach of the Niagara IceDogs and I can't wait to get to work with our players and staff as we develop a winning culture.”
Further staffing announcements are expected in the coming weeks.