DEAN DEL MASTRO, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE MINISTER OF CANADIAN HERITAGE SUPPORTS JIM BALSILLIE AND HIS EFFORTS TO "MAKE IT SEVEN"!

May 06, 2009

(Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - PETERBOROUGH, ON)  Dean Del Mastro, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Peterborough is calling on all Canadians to support Jim Balsillie's efforts to bring Canada its seventh NHL franchise by bringing the Phoenix Coyotes to South Western Ontario.

"Canadian hockey fans are the backbone of the National Hockey League.  Mr. Balsillie's plan would both correct a historic wrong committed by the NHL when it authorized the move of the Jets franchise to the Southern U.S. and reward Canadians for their strong support of NHL hockey."  stated MP Del Mastro.

"Canadians that feel as passionately about this as I do and want to help Mr. Balsillie can do their part by going to www.makeitseven.ca and sign the petition.  Clearly, if the Greater Metropolitan New York Area can support the Rangers, Islanders and Devils, there is every reason to believe that a second southern Ontario franchise would not only succeed but flourish in what is the most under-serviced professional hockey region in the world."

Del Mastro further remarked that, "Jim Balsillie has always demonstrated a keen business sense, a profound pride in Canada and a willingness to support the less fortunate through a multitude of charitable donations.  The people of Peterborough take great pride in his success." 

MP Del Mastro concluded that, "Mr. Balsillie's plan to bring the Coyotes franchise to Canada is sound and should be strongly supported by all Canadians and unanimously adopted by the NHL Board of Governors."