FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2018
The Vancouver Stealth professional lacrosse team has been purchased by Canucks Sports & Entertainment. The below messages have been prepared by Vancouver Stealth former owner, Denise Watkins, and Jason Winslade from the Township of Langley, respectively.
Canucks Sports & Entertainment have also prepared a Press Release and Letter is included below.
“I am pleased to announce that today, the National Lacrosse League’s Board of Governors approved the purchase of the Vancouver Stealth by Canucks Sports & Entertainment. The team will play in Vancouver at Rogers Arena during the National Lacrosse League’s 2018/19 season starting in December this year.
“The Stealth relocated from Washington state to Langley in 2013, the same year we played the NLL’s championship game against the Rochester Knighthawks at the Langley Events Centre. I knew we found our home after that game,” Watkins said in announcing the sale. “The LEC management, staff, sponsors and fans across British Columbia welcomed us to the building that night. While we lost the championship game, soon after we won a home that will forever be in my heart.
“Over my 11 years as owner, I’ve come to love this game and the lacrosse community. I want to thank the season ticket holders, fans and sponsors who supported us. I also want to thank the LEC Management and Staff for their passionate support of the team and for helping us put on a great game day presentation for our fans.”
“I’m excited that the game we all love will remain in the Lower Mainland and will have a long term future. I’ve always known that my role was that of a builder and caretaker, and we would ultimately transition the team to a larger organization with greater resources. This was truly a heartbreaking decision. While I would have liked to go out on top of the standings, I believe our fans will be pleased with the direction the Canucks organization takes the team. I’ve already committed to become the team’s first season ticket holder and I’m hopeful you will join me in wishing the Canucks great success.”
“Langley Events Centre is proud to have worked cooperatively with the National Lacrosse League and the Stealth organization to bring the league back to Metro Vancouver in 2014. For the past five seasons the facility and it’s staff have been home to the league and the BC lacrosse community and we look forward to working with the NLL and Canucks Sports & Entertainment to continue to support the franchise, the league, and the growth of the sport in our province,” Winslade said.
Here’s what Canuck Sports and Entertainment said:
Vancouver, B.C. – The National Lacrosse League announced today the approval of the sale of the Vancouver Stealth to Canucks Sports & Entertainment. Vancouver’s new NLL team will commence play at Rogers Arena beginning in the 2018.19 season.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank Denise Watkins for her many years of passion and commitment at the helm of the organization, which included bringing a championship to the franchise in 2010,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “This is another pivotal moment for the League and we are honoured and thrilled to have the Aquilini family and Canucks Sports & Entertainment leading our Vancouver franchise in one of the most relevant lacrosse communities in North America.
“We are very excited to welcome the National Lacrosse League to Rogers Arena,” said Jeff Stipec, COO, Canucks Sports & Entertainment. “I would like to thank Denise Watkins and the Stealth staff for all they have done to establish and develop the NLL in Greater Vancouver.”
“British Columbia has a rich lacrosse history and people from across the country and around the world know how important this market is to the game,” continued Stipec. “We look forward to continuing to grow the game, both on the floor and in the community. We can’t wait to get to work.”
Over the coming months, the Vancouver lacrosse franchise will undergo a transformation, including a new name, brand and logo. A special event will be held in the coming months to unveil more details.
The Vancouver Stealth have played at the Langley Events Centre for the past five years. The NLL 18-game regular season begins in December 2018 and runs through April 2019. Games are primarily scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights. The NLL playoffs begin in May and conclude in June with the NLL Finals.