OHL Board of Governors Approves Transfer of Ownership of Barrie Colts Hockey Club
OHL Ontario Hockey League

OHL Board of Governors Approves Transfer of Ownership of Barrie Colts Hockey Club

Published on July 31, 2026 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release


TORONTO - The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that, following a meeting of the OHL Board of Governors, the League has approved the transfer of ownership of the Barrie Colts Hockey Club to John Careri.

A Toronto-area entrepreneur, investor and sports executive, Careri serves as president and chief executive officer of JONVIC Capital Inc. He is also the owner of the defending Buckland Cup champion Toronto Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) and of Everest Academy, a private athletic and academic school in Vaughan, Ont.

"I'm pleased to welcome John Careri as owner of the Barrie Colts," said OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford. "He brings a passion and enthusiasm for the game and I know he's eager to continue the tradition of competitiveness that the Barrie Colts have enjoyed for more than 30 years. John's proven business leadership, commitment to developing student-athletes and passion for building strong organizations should benefit not only the Barrie Colts, but the League as a whole."

Careri assumes majority ownership of the franchise from Howie Campbell, who purchased the Colts in 2006 from Barrie businessman Jamie Massie. Under Campbell's stewardship, the Colts were crowned Eastern Conference champions in 2010, 2013 and 2026 while producing NHL talent including Aaron Ekblad, Mark Scheifele, Andrei Svechnikov, Rasmus Andersson and Mackenzie Blackwood, among several others. Campbell will remain a shareholder and serve in the capacity of senior advisor with the hockey club.

"The League extends its sincere thanks to Howie Campbell for two decades of commitment to the Colts and to the Barrie community," said Crawford. "Howie has the franchise in a position of strength, and we're grateful for his stewardship and for the care he took in identifying a successor who shares that same commitment to the club and the city."

Careri begins his ownership tenure on the heels of the Colts capturing the Bobby Orr Trophy as OHL Eastern Conference champions in May. It marked the club's second straight appearance in the Eastern Conference Final, following a second consecutive Central Division title.

The Colts will open training camp in late August in preparation for the 2026-27 season.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from July 31, 2026


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