The Ontario Superior Court has declined to reinstate Alex Armstrong, the former operator of the Pembroke Lumber Kings, as a member of the Central Canada Hockey League, leaving the league’s 2025 decision to terminate the franchise’s membership in place.
The ruling follows a July 24 decision dismissing an application for an interlocutory injunction filed by Armstrong (2695193 Ontario Inc.), which had operated the Lumber Kings until its membership was revoked in September 2025.
The CCHL said it has since approved Brian Johnstone as a new league member to operate a Junior A franchise in Pembroke. While a dispute over the rights to the Lumber Kings name continues, the new team will compete, at least temporarily, as the Pembroke Jr. A Hockey Club while preparations continue for the upcoming season.
Tanya Tompkins, director of operations for the club, said the new team name could be revealed as early as Tuesday next week. She said that although the name will be different, fans can expect the same level of commitment from the players and new ownership that made the team legendary for more than 100 years.
The fact that the storied team has been forced to undergo a name change will no doubt be a matter of considerable concern for the many fans in Hockeytown who have supported the team for generations. Tompkins assured fans that new owner Johnstone and his staff will ice a team this season that Pembroke can be equally proud of.
The home opener is scheduled for Sept. 27 against the Brockville Braves at the PMC.
More on this story as details become available.
(Written By: Richard Evans)
