The Cowichan Valley Capitals have been sold to Island Capitals Sports & Entertainment, a local ownership group headed by John Dewar, managing partner of Maxxam Insurance and a BCHL alumnus, as well as former NHL player Clayton Stoner.

鈥淲e are thrilled to take the reins and start working to make this a very successful and proud franchise,鈥� said Dewar in a press release. 鈥淲ith the recent changes happening in the BCHL, we couldn鈥檛 be more excited to join such a great league with a tremendous history.鈥�

鈥淏eing a Cowichan Valley resident myself, I am extremely excited to get the community and local businesses to come support our team and bring an increased sense of pride to such a great local sports organization,鈥� Dewer added. 鈥淎s a local ownership group, we are proud to be a part of this community and are strong believers in producing a successful franchise for years to come.鈥�

Stoner grew up and played his junior hockey on Vancouver Island.

鈥淚 am very excited to put my passion for the game into the Cowichan Valley Capitals and the community,鈥� said Stoner. 鈥淲e have a competitive group of owners that are committed to improving and bringing growth to the Capitals organization. We are very excited to get started with our home opener this weekend against Nanaimo.鈥�

Ray Zhang had owned the organization for the last seven years until Sept. 22, when the BCHL board of governors approved the sale.

鈥淥n behalf of our board, I would like to thank Ray Zhang for his seven years as owner of the Cowichan Valley Capitals,鈥� said Graham Fraser, chairman of the BCHL Board of Governors. 鈥淲e are excited to welcome the new ownership group in Cowichan and are confident that their leadership will help take the Capitals to another level, on and off the ice.鈥�