Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Titan Sold

Press Release

BATHURST, Tuesday, June 2, 2009 - The new era is now officially under way. Annie and Stéphane Morrissette finalized the last documents for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan’s acquisition Monday night. Under the new structure, Annie and Stéphane now hold 50% each of the team’s assets.

"This was a long and arduous process, but we are happy and proud to have acquired the team," mentioned Annie Morrissette. "In these past three months, we have worked very hard to implement our business plan and marketing strategies, this through meeting people from many communities in our market. We consider ourselves privileged to have developed new relationships with many who hold the Titan’s success dear to their hearts. It is of great importance to have these relationships established to allow us to connect with our fan base. We thank them for their support."

For Stéphane Morrissette, he is very confident in seeing the club succeed in a market that he views as underestimated. "We have often heard that the Titan’s market is the smallest in the Canadian Hockey League, but what many do not realize is that we live in an area where people love hockey and are passionate about the sport. If we present an entertaining product, both on and off the ice, we are confident in seeing fans back at the rink. For this, it is important for us to be present and involved with our fan base. Our relationship with our fans is of utmost importance so that we can develop a partnership with them."

The Commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Gilles Courteau, was pleased with the final result. "The sale of the Titan to the new group is excellent news for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League," commented the Commissioner. "The Titan is a proud franchise rich in history and it is certainly no stranger to success. The community and its hockey fans are the big winners of today’s announcement."

Darryl Stothart from Bathurst, who will sit on the team’s Advisory Board, is happy to see the team well established with the new owners. "This is a great day for hockey in northern New Brunswick. It’s impressive to see two young entrepreneurs get involved. To have the Titan stay here will be very beneficial for the area. I thank Léo-Guy Morrissette for bringing this caliber of hockey here 11 years ago. Now, with Annie and Stéphane taking over the team, I see good things to come. From what I’ve witnessed so far, from an organizational and marketing standpoint, I really believe that fans will be greatly interested in coming back in high numbers to watch Titan hockey."

Annie Morrissette today becomes the first woman to be co-owner and president of a team in the history of the QMJHL. Stéphane Morrissette is Vice-President of the organization. Both will form an Executive Board with the Titan’s General Manager, Sylvain Couturier. The Executive Board will work closely with the Advisory Board, formed in the past few weeks.

The new owners will greet the members of the Titan’s Advisory Board for the first time on Wednesday June 17th at the KC Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst. "We are looking forward to work with the board. Already, we’ve had good preliminary discussions with the members and we have the feeling this concept will be very promising," mentioned Annie Morrissette.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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