Sailing back into Port Colborne
The Sailors have officially redocked in Port Colborne.
The Thorold Blackhawks announced last month they were moving permanently to the Vale Health and Wellness Centre in Port Colborne for the 2023/24 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season and have now made their new nickname official as well.
The franchise has been registered with the Ontario Hockey Association as the Port Colborne Sailors, a name that harkens back to past junior teams in the city.
“We kind of thought about different things,” Sailors owner/coach Scott Barnes said. “There’s a bunch of different names Port Colborne junior B have been in the past, water-themed names, nautical, but minor hockey is the Sailors and it’s the history. That’s what it was when I played here so it made sense.”
Junior B teams in the modern era from Port Colborne have also gone by Schooners, Pirates and Kinsmen.
The team also unveiled a new, modern looking logo in the team’s colour scheme of dark blue, light blue and white.
“I think I wanted to do my own stamp,” Barnes said of the logo. “We looked at a bunch of different things with the Sailor and anchor, boats and ships and this and that. My seven-year-old son (Chase) loves the skulls and skeletons and had a big input on the logo.”
Early indictions are the name and logo are a hit.
“The feedback has already been great from the town, from businesses, from fans. Everyone seems pretty excited,” Barnes said.
The team will have three jerseys for the upcoming season — white, dark blue and an alternate light blue third jersey.
The Blackhawks relocated to Port Colborne last season due to ongoing construction of a new ice plant at the Thorold Arena. The team was also forced to leave Thorold Arena for the playoffs in 2022.
Barnes said he has been welcome with open arms.
“The city has been great to deal with. Mayor Bill Steele and Bryan Teal (recreation manager) have helped us with whatever we need and given us the support to get started.”
Barnes said the Sailors locker room is being upgraded to better utilize the available space and that the new logo would be painted on the ice.
Barnes plans on the organization becoming part of the community.
“Now that we have the logo and are getting the jerseys and posters all set, we want to get it into the face as much as possible with the public,” he said.
Team merchandise is expected to be available at Goods Sports Excellence as well as on the team’s official website.
Barnes is looking for game day volunteers and team personnel and well as sponsors and local businesses to partner with. E-mail Barnes at scott@barneshockey.com for more information.
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