With the Muskoka Shield suspended from playing for the 2023/24 season, a search for a new owner for the Gravenhurst-based team continues.
A statement from the league in May 2023 said the team, on top of not playing in the upcoming season, will be in “operational dormancy” until Feb. 1, 2024, during which time a new owner will have to be found.
Troy Kahler and his partner Erika Rendon-Kahler currently co-own the team.
The former was suspended by the league in May stemming from Kahler being charged with assault on Dec. 16, 2022.
The charge was dropped in Aug. 2023.
Kahler tells the MyMuskokaNow.com newsroom he’s now been authorized by the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (GMHL) to be involved in discussions with new owners. Previously talks were handled through his representatives.
When reached for comment on Wednesday, Bob Russell, President of the GMHL, says he “can’t confirm” that Kahler is involved in the negotiation process.
Kahler says he’s turned down offers from multiple groups, including from Scarborough, Chatham, and an owner “from overseas” who wants to return to the GMHL.
Russell says in recent months, no new interested parties have reached out to the league.
Kahler says he wants the team to stay local, pointing out that the Shield is one of three original teams left in the GMHL. “I know how much Muskoka loves hockey,” he says.
Russell, echoing Kahler, says the league “absolutely” wants to keep the team in Gravenhurst “but with a different owner.”
Previously Kahler says, through his representatives, he was “valuing as high as I could see if anyone would pay,” however, now he’s changed his tune and is willing to negotiate, so long as the prospective buyers are locals.
“I have to move on after everything that has gone on,” says Kahler.
