Toronto-area entrepreneur John Careri expresses his desire to ‘enhance the player and fan experience – making Barrie the top choice in the OHL’
The new owner of the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts, Toronto-area entrepreneur John Careri, has exciting plans for both the team and their home arena.
“To be standing here today as a new majority owner is a true honour,” Careri stated during today’s press conference at Sadlon Arena to announce the ownership change, alongside previous majority owner Howie Campbell.
Careri shared that his goal is to compete for an OHL championship and a Memorial Cup, while “continuing to provide resources and elevate the player and fan experience – making Barrie the most desirable market in the OHL.”
No sale price was disclosed on Friday.
A businessman from Toronto, Careri is also an investor and sports executive. He holds the position of president and chief executive officer of JONVIC Capital Inc. Additionally, he owns the defending Buckland Cup champion Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and Everest Academy, a private athletic and academic institution in Vaughan.
Careri expressed his “ultimate” ambition to modernize city-owned Sadlon Arena into a more advanced facility.
“We want to give kids access to necessary amenities – like changing rooms and gyms – that will help them reach their potential,” he mentioned.
“We know what players require for development, rehabilitation, and recovery after games … This facility was built 30 years ago,” Careri noted regarding Bayview Drive’s arena.
One of Careri’s business ventures includes JONVIC Capital Inc., which focuses on providing loans in sectors such as mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, real estate, and infrastructure. The company lists offices in England and Nigeria on its website.
Everest Academy is another one of Careri’s projects; it serves as an athletic private school for elementary through post-graduate student-athletes located about 60 kilometres south of Barrie.
The academy claims on its website to have developed 125 OHL-drafted players, 18 athletes considered “NHL-bound,” along with two Major League Baseball draft picks among other clients.
In turn, Campbell announced he will keep a 10 percent stake in Colts ownership while assisting with team transitions as a senior adviser over five years- “and make sure that he takes over and carries on with the great legacy that we’ve had here in the community,” Campbell remarked.
Regarding his future plans after this transition, Campbell mentioned taking time off to check off some bucket-list items.
“I’ll find something to do,” he said after handing over control of the team to Careri. “Hopefully lots of fishing, golfing …and traveling. Spending more time with my wife doing things we’ve always put off.”
Does Campbell have any standout memories from his time with Barrie Colts that he’ll cherish?
“It’s about the kids,” he responded. “The kids and players who came through here-the memories I’ve made with them.”
“I’m at that stage now where I’m getting invited to their weddings; many are starting families so I’m meeting their children,” Campbell added.
The Barrie Colts have built a solid history around developing junior players alongside plenty of unforgettable moments he’s experienced throughout those years.
“The most important memories involve all those players who’ve come through our system over time-staying friends with them has been rewarding,” Campbell noted further.
This also includes former player turned head coach Dylan Smoskowitz.
“When you see developments like these take place; my favorite memories relate closely to these kids along with their families who were part of our journey,” Campbell reflected.
In what was seen as his “final act” as owner of Colts, Campbell concluded today’s press conference by presenting an unexpected $50,000 cheque from Barrie Colts Foundation towards Easter Seals-a gesture which brought tears from representatives accepting this generous donation during its presentation ceremony at Sadlon Arena on Friday.| Kevin Lamb/Barrie Today
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