The Western Hockey League announced Thursday on its website the Saskatoon Blades' ownership change has been approved.
The deal was approved by the league's board of governors and will see Mike Priestner, a former WHL goalie, and the Priestner Sports Corp. take over the team from the Brodsky family, which ran the club until now. The sale is expected to be finalized later in the week.
The sale to Priestner, owner of Go Auto in Edmonton, Alta., has been speculated for a month and was initially agreed to Aug. 27., but was waiting on approval from the board of governors.
"Given his highly successful career in the automotive industry, we are confident Mike Priestner is capable of meeting our expectations as the new owner of the Saskatoon Blades franchise," said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "Mike is committed to doing whatever is necessary to maintain the storied tradition of the Blades in the Saskatoon community."
The team has been in the Brodsky family since 1976.
