Yesterday was big day in Halifax Mooseheads history with a change of majority ownership.
Bobby Smith took over majority ownership of the Mooseheads in September 2003 and just sold his majority share of his team to businessman Sam Simon and his family from Michigan.
(Above Bobby Smith, right, passes the puck to new Mooseheads majority owner Sam Simon.)
Since the Mooseheads first hit the ice at the then Halifax Metro Centre, this is just the third majority owner with Harold MacKay and Moosehead Breweries being the first, Bobby Smith and now the Simons.
Being the Mooseheads public address announcer since 1997, I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, all for the better, to help make the team and the players winners and the fans proud of The Herd.
I’ve had many chats with Bobby over the years, a couple favourites include a post-game gathering with Bobby and my childhood hockey hero Darryl Sittler who was in for a December 16, 2003 ceremonial puck drop.
(Above: Darryl Sittler with Ian, December 16, 2003)
I was lucky to have a chat with them and asked if the two had every fought in the NHL and who won the scrap? Bobby just nodded, pointed and said “Sitt won..”
Another favourite chat was after received my 2013 QMJHL President Cup and Memorial Cup championship ring. Before a game in September 2013, Bobby told me that originally we were going to put the playoff slogan for that year “Win The Day” on the side of the ring. Bobby suggested that we put the teams record on the side of the ring which was 77-8-3-1, that is still one of the best records of any junior hockey team in Canada.
(Above Ian’s Mooseheads 2013 championship ring.)
Thanks to Bobby for everything over the last 20 years, I’ll miss our chats.
(Above Bobby Smith and Sam Simon on right, the new Mooseheads majority owner.)
Get to know the new majority owners of your Halifax Mooseheads in a recap of today's historic announcement for the franchise. #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/TAAX0pbglm
— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) February 21, 2023
Today’s historic announcement can be viewed live on Eastlink Community TV and on the Eastlink YouTube channel.https://t.co/SIo0jPUWCf #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/R7ehQYdZFS
— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) February 21, 2023
A warm Moose Country welcome to the Simon Family, let’s go win some more championships!
-Ian
Credits @HFXMooseheads, blog cover picture of Ian, Bobby Smith and Cameron Critchlow on the night the Mooseheads won the QMJHL President Cup on May 10, 2013.
