PATRIOTS MOVE TO WESTWOOD ARENA
This coming season will feature more than changes behind the bench for the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots of the OJHL. The team is relocating and have a new place to call home at Westwood Arena; a 20 minute commute north from their former home at the MasterCard Centre.
Founded in the spring of 2008, the Patriots have continued to improve each year and are now firmly established as one of the league’s leading franchises. "I believe the Patriots will be strengthened because they were playing in an ineffectual facility, and the team and fan experience here will be much better," team owner Kevin O’Connor said. "If our organization is strengthened, that's good for everybody."
General Manager Mike Tarantino also added “with the addition to new coach Jason Fortier and the announcement of Battle of the Blades returning to the MCC, it was ideal timing to revaluate the needs of the team and what was best for our players. This opportunity to relocate the team was fitting given the changes our team was going through and allowing Fortier a blank slate to work with.”
Westwood Arena is a facility fitted with 5 ice pads and a pub and currently home to 4 GTHL hockey teams. Prior to its merger with Cobourg in 2011, the Streetsville Derby’s called Westwood their home. Leaving behind a designated Jr. A dressing room and coaches room which was a key selling feature to the Patriots organization. “Although Battle of the Blades was willing to work with us, their return meant losing our home ice advantage and team dressing room. When starting the season and trying to gel as a team, this acts as a major disturbance to everyone involved. Switching between rinks and not having a permanent or properly equipped dressing room can leave lasting effects and effect player mentality. We had to do what was best for the team and Westwood was our first choice,” said Tarantino.
The Patriots look forward to starting the season in their new home and working closely with the arena staff to make this transition as smooth as possible. “One of our first priorities is branding and getting our name and image into the arena to increase awareness that a Jr. A team will be calling Westwood home,” stated Head Coach Jason Fortier.
The Toronto Lakeshore Patriots will host 26 total home games, scheduled to take place on primarily Saturday evenings. Patriots’ season tickets are on sale now and fans can order their tickets by visiting the website at www.lakeshorepatriots.com.
