Owner of ECHL team booted from home arena says he'll build his own
The owner of the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers, which serves as the ECHL affiliate for the Toronto Maple Leafs, isn't messing around when it comes to finding a location for the team to play in. Dean MacDonald, the head of Deacon Sports and Entertainment (DSE), has stated he's willing to build his own arena in the area to serve as a permanent home for the Growlers.
In late October, the city of St. John's announced that the Growlers were not allowed to play games at the Mile One Centre due to a workplace investigation.
"Employees of SJSEL have brought forward allegations of disrespectful workplace conduct against staff at DSE that must be fully investigated," said St. John's Mayor Danny Breen at the time. "Given the seriousness of the situation we have no choice but to take this action. While we know this is disappointing to hockey fans, the health and wellbeing of our employees is our top priority."
Since that time, the Growlers have been playing at an arena in Conception Bay South, just outside of St. John's. Asked why he would consider building his own place, MacDonald said there appear to be no other options.
"When you have nowhere to play you don't get much choice," he said.
As for the location, MacDonald indicated that it would be in the Mount Pearl, Paradise, CBS area, all just outside the City of St. John's.
The Leafs had offered to Growlers the opportunity to play some home games at the arena used by the Marlies of the AHL. That was no longer needed after the agreement with CBS.
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YESTERDAY
APRIL 30, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Quinn Hughes | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Leo Carlsson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Chris Kreider | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Troy Terry | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Matthew Boldy | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Cutter Gauthier | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mavrik Bourque | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Wyatt Johnston | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Connor Murphy | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vasily Podkolzin | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Ryan Poehling | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Michael Bunting | - | 1 | 1 | |
| John Carlson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Colton Dach | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Leon Draisaitl | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Matt Duchene | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Brock Faber | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Marcus Foligno | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Kasperi Kapanen | - | 1 | 1 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||