In spite of recent rumours regarding the team’s future in Wellington, including comments from a Prince Edward County councillor at last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting, the Wellington Dukes are not for sale.
That from Ken Clement who has owned the storied junior franchise for the past eight years.
While acknowledging that tier 2 junior hockey is facing significant financial challenges, particularly due to the changing landscape in U.S. College hockey, Clement says he remains passionate to operate the Dukes to give opportunities for players to further their hockey career or perhaps a future in other careers despite annual financial losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Clement is a former junior hockey player himself who now operates a successful company that does business internationally.
While not a resident of the county, Clement points to a long family history on both his mother’s and father’s side of the family in Prince Edward County and plans to retire there.
Clement acknowledged that he has received overtures from outside parties interested in purchasing the team in the past but nothing recently.
He hopes to work with county council and other stakeholders to improve the team’s viability in Wellington.
Clement says the Dukes will operate summer camps as they have in the past in preparation for next season.
Last year the Wellington Dukes celebrated their 35th anniversary.
