'Mississauga Hurricanes': Mayoral candidate wants to bring NHL team to the city
A Mississauga mayoral candidate wants to bring an NHL team to the city, saying it’s time for Toronto to pass the puck and share the benefits that come with housing a major hockey club.
Peter McCallion, son of former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion, made the announcement Monday and pledged to draft a bid for a team if he wins the byelection on June 10.
It should be noted that Mississauga currently lacks an NHL-sized arena, with the 5,420 seat Paramount Fine Foods Centre currently the largest indoor facility in the city.
“It’s time to get a team of our own,” McCallion said in a news release. “Mississauga is no longer the little brother or sister of Toronto. It’s an idea whose time has come.”
McCallion said he would tap members of the business community to put the NHL pitch together and rely on the private sector to build an arena.
He notes that Mississauga has a bigger population now - an estimated 717,961 people - than Toronto did when it got the Maple Leafs – then the Arenas – in 1917.
Mississauga is currently home to an Ontario Hockey League team – the Steelheads - but that franchise previously announced that it would relocate to Brampton in time for next season.
“A Toronto/Mississauga rivalry would keep a lot of the sports entertainment dollars in the GTA,” McCallion said in the release.
The mayoral hopeful acknowledged there are “a lot of hurdles” that come with securing an NHL team and he’s right. Back in 2009, Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie of BlackBerry fame tried to relocate the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton but was caught up in a legal fight with a U.S. bankruptcy court that eventually rejected the bid.
Despite that, McCallion said the city needs “bold vision and new ideas” to address some of its core issues, specifically the housing shortage.
“Just look at what has been built around the Scotiabank Arena and you get an idea of how mixed land use can be integrated to develop a complete community,” he wrote.
McCallion said the city presents an “ideal location” for an NHL franchise as its near highways and transit. If elected, he said he would use Ontario’s so-called strong mayor powers to get the project shovel-ready faster.
As for what the hypothetical team will be called, McCallion thinks the Mississauga Hurricanes has a nice ring to it, an ode to his mother, often described lovingly as “Hurricane Hazel.” That would likely be a tough sell for the NHL though, as the Carolina Hurricanes currently have the rights to the tropical cyclone name.
Mississauga residents will head to the polls on June 10. The byelection was called after former mayor Bonnie Crombie vacated the seat on Jan. 12 to become the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
BREAKING Canada's inflation cools to 3-year low of 2.7%, in boost for rate cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
1 dead, others injured after London-Singapore flight hit severe turbulence, Singapore Airlines says
One person has died aboard a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence, Singapore Airlines said Tuesday. The plane was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather.
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
How to check the Air Quality Health Index and assess your health risks
As we enter another wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising people to pay attention to air pollution levels and check the Air Quality Health Index – especially on smoky days.
Cardinal Lacroix cleared after investigation ordered by the Pope
The Vatican has announced that the investigation it commissioned into allegations of sexual touching against Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix did not confirm any act constituting misconduct or abuse on the part of the Vatican.
Trudeau making 'Team Canada' pitch in visit to Philadelphia
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Philadelphia today, on his first trip south of the border since his government launched a new 'Team Canada' charm offensive in the United States.
Oilers win Game 7 over Canucks, advance to Western Conference Final
The Edmonton Oilers weathered a late Vancouver Canucks charge on Monday night, beating the hosts 3-2 to win their seven-game second-round playoff series in the decisive showdown.