BURNABY, BC, Oct. 21 /CNW/ - Canlan Ice Sports Corp. (TSX: ICE), providers of the on-ice experience to youth and adults across North America, today announced that Grant Ballantyne will retire as President and CEO effective January 1, 2009 following a 10-year career capped by the Company's emergence as the leading owner and operator of recreational ice rinks in North America. Mr. Ballantyne will be succeeded by Joey St. Aubin, currently Canlan's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
"Grant has played an instrumental role in the evolution of the Company," said Frank Barker, Chairman of Canlan Ice Sports. "During his tenure as CEO, Canlan built our initial investment in the Adult Safe Hockey League into the largest adult recreational hockey league in North America, and introduced new initiatives in both youth and adult programs that will be the cornerstones of our future growth. I look forward to Joey applying his years of experience with the Company and industry knowledge to guide Canlan to our next level of success."
Mr. St-Aubin brings a proven record of accomplishment over his eleven-plus years with the Company. During this time, he has held increasingly senior general management and executive positions, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to Canlan, Mr. St-Aubin was a New Business Analyst with EDS of Canada from 1995 to 1997 following a series of entrepreneurial endeavours throughout the 1990s. Mr. St-Aubin is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and has attended the Queens University Executive Program.
About Canlan Ice Sports Corp.
Canlan Ice Sports is the largest private sector operator of recreational ice facilities in North America, with 65 playing surfaces, including two indoor soccer centres, at 22 facilities owned and/or managed in Canada and the United States. Through the Adult Safe Hockey League, Canlan operates the largest adult recreational league in North America, with more than 55,000 players. Canlan also offers a variety of other programs, including youth leagues, hockey and figure skating academies and tournaments.
Caution concerning forward-looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words like "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "indicates" or similar expressions. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors set forth in reports and other documents filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities from time to time.
