Uncertain future for Powell River Kings as ownership search continues

Since 2023, the Birch Group has partnered with the Powell River Kings’ non-profit society to ensure financial stability. Now, change is on the horizon. This article examines the upcoming sale and highlights key events in the partnership between the Kings’ non-profit society and the Birch Group, beginning with how the partnership started.

The evolution of a partnership

In November 2023, the Kings formally announced their partnership with the Birch Group. The relationship actually began earlier that March, when the team was considering restructuring its finances under new ownership.

Junior hockey in British Columbia was transforming. The BCHL was on the verge of becoming independent of Hockey Canada, and franchises were changing how they operated and who owned them. In the following seasons, the Victoria Grizzlies and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks were acquired by new owners.

Meanwhile, the Merritt Centennials ceased operating as a BCHL team because they could not meet the rising financial burden; they now play in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

For Powell River, the Birch Group’s arrival brought new coaches and management. NHL Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson became the Kings’ head coach and general manager, with Stephan Seeger Jr. joining as an assistant GM. That arrangement, however, did not last.

Midway through the 2024-25 season, Anderson stepped down as head coach, citing conflicting prior commitments. Seeger Jr. took over as head coach, and the Kings experienced frequent roster turnover throughout the season. On the ice, the Kings missed the playoffs in 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26, finishing near the bottom of the league standings each season.

Financial crisis and the path forward

These on-ice struggles were compounded by the financial issues that surfaced in December 2025, when the Kings faced a significant financial crisis. In a Christmas Eve message, the Birch Group announced the season would “continue without interruption.”

Before that announcement, as reported by Wylie Henderson of MyPowellRiverNow, the team was facing a $200,000 shortfall, attributed to declining revenue, rising costs, and volunteer fatigue. Behind the scenes, the team raised the necessary funds to complete the 2025-26 season but had no plans in place for 2026-27.

On March 11, 2026, the Kings held a public meeting to discuss their future, serving as a follow-up to their December town hall. Interim president Joe Mastrodonato spoke at the event, emphasizing that the team required urgent financial help. Because the Kings’ Society cannot borrow money, the team began seeking local and corporate sponsors, as well as assistance from season ticket holders. According to a report by Paul Galinski of the Powell River Peak, the Kings needed a memorandum of understanding from a new ownership group, a one-year hiatus, or a “substantial amount of money as a performance bond” to return for the next season.

Mastrodonato noted that the society’s chances of selling the team would be “none to zero” if they ceased operations. He also stated that the society intends to support potential new owners, adding that any prospective buyer must be passionate about hockey rather than focused solely on profit.

Before a March 29 deadline, the Kings launched a campaign seeking 100 to 150 people to purchase season memberships at $1,000 each. These memberships offered priority seating, playoff ticket options, a Kings’ T-shirt, a 15 percent merchandise discount, and entry into a cash prize draw. All memberships were to be refunded if new ownership was secured.

In a March 12 article for the Times Colonist, sports writer Cleve Dheensaw reported that Victoria Grizzlies president Dave Michaud confirmed BCHL teams were closely watching the Powell River situation. Following an extended deadline, a final decision was reached. On April 9, 2026, the Kings announced they had committed to the 2026-27 season and would remain in the Coastal Conference.

The team has since formally launched a search for new ownership, with Cosmos Sports & Entertainment handling the sale process. Mastrodonato thanked the community, partners, and stakeholders for their support, noting that the outcome could have been very different without them.

The organization also extended appreciation to BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker, Board of Governors Chair Rich Murphy, and the Kings’ board of directors for their leadership. With their future secure for the coming year, the Kings move forward as the search for a new owner continues.

Photo credit: Island Images Photography