Coyotes founders sell off team shares
General manager Tom Macham says its time for the community to take ownership of the Creemore Coyotes hockey team.
As founders, he and his wife Laura have dedicated themselves to getting the Senior AA hockey team up and running. The team held its first home game in October of 2021 with about 300 people in attendance.
Macham was determined to bring a Western Ontario Athletic Association approved Senior AA team to Creemore after a number of local players, including his son, had their season with The Siskins cut short by the pandemic. It was also important for Macham to bring high-level hockey back to Creemore in tribute to the senior team that was based in Creemore from 1978 to 1993, and was immensely popular with fans.
The Coyotes finished their first season in 12th place with a 5-12-0 record and made the “A” quarter-finals in the playoffs, where they lost their best-of-three series 2-1.
Their second season, 2022-2023, saw a significant improvement. The Coyotes finished sixth in the WOAA standings with a 12-7-1 record and advanced to the “AA” quarter-finals, ultimately losing to the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks in six games.
In 2023, The Creemore Coyotes senior hockey team is joined a new Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL), under the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and Hockey Canada umbrella. That year the team finished in second place with a strong 14-5-1 record. They secured their first-ever playoff series win, defeating the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks in a thrilling seven-game quarter-final series. Their run ended in the semi-finals, where they were upset by the Minto 81’s in five games.
Last year the Coyotes qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed but were swept in the quarter-finals by the Minto 81’s in four games.
Due to several factors, including the fact that his son no longer plays on the team, a change to the league structure that impacted the team’s roster, and dwindling attendance, the Machams are hoping to extricate themselves from the team by mid-January.
Macham says it’s time for the community to take over the team so he is selling shares to the community. There are 100 shares available for $800 apiece.
“It’s not a money making venture,” said Macham. “It’s there for the community’s entertainment and to promote local businesses.”
He said it’s too much work for one couple, whereas a community owned team could form a management board of directors, and a fundraising committee.
Macham said he doesn’t regret starting the team.
“The foundation is there but someone needs to take it over,” said Macham.
To purchase shares, contact John Ferris’ law office at 705-466-3888.
