A league-wide shakeup that touches Ottawa
Ottawa may not be home to the Barrie Colts, but every ownership shift in the Ontario Hockey League ripples through the circuit the Ottawa 67's compete in night after night. That's why local puck fans are paying attention to news out of the OHL's latest board of governors meeting, where league officials formally signed off on new ownership for one of its longest-running franchises.
The new owner
According to a statement from the OHL, the Barrie Colts have been sold to John Careri, a businessman based in the Toronto area. Careri serves as president and chief executive officer of JONVIC Capital Inc., and the sale received the necessary sign-off from the league's board of governors following their meeting. The OHL didn't release additional financial details of the transaction in its statement, but the approval clears the way for a new ownership era in Barrie.
Why Ottawa hockey fans should care
The Ottawa 67's are one of 20 teams that make up the OHL, a league that draws talent from across Ontario and beyond and feeds directly into the NHL draft pipeline. Every governance decision — from ownership changes to scheduling and franchise stability — is made collectively at meetings like the one that approved the Careri sale. A stable, well-capitalized Barrie franchise matters for the health of the conference the 67's play in, since the two teams face off multiple times each season as divisional rivals within the league's Eastern alignment.
Strong ownership groups across the OHL also help maintain competitive balance and franchise longevity — something 67's fans, who've seen their own club go through ownership transitions over the years, understand well. A well-run Colts organization means better competition, healthier attendance figures around the province, and a more stable league overall heading into future seasons.
What's next
With the sale now approved, attention turns to how the new ownership group plans to run the Colts franchise, including any changes to management or on-ice direction. For now, the OHL's board of governors process has done its job: vetting a new owner and giving the green light for a transition that keeps the franchise moving forward.
Ottawa 67's fans don't need to worry about any direct impact to their own club's ownership, but keeping an eye on league-wide moves like this one is part of following Ontario's top junior hockey circuit closely. Expect more details on the Colts' new direction as the 2026 season approaches.
Source: Global News Ottawa
