Politicians are saying more than ever residents need to join the “Bring the NHL to Hamilton” rally at Jackson Square today (Friday, June 19) to show the NHL board of governors the city deserves a franchise.

“Before (the court’s decision Monday) the rally was a feel-good exercise,” said Ward 8 (west Mountain) councillor Terry Whitehead, chair of the city’s NHL subcommittee. “But now it is more important than ever to show community support for an NHL team. We are now in the third period.”

The rally is scheduled to start at noon on the roof of Jackson Square. Steve Smith, better known as Red Green, will be the master of ceremonies, and the rally will include music by Hamilton’s John Ellison. Officials are asking residents to bring a non-perishable item of food for the food bank.

In a statement Monday soon after Arizona bankruptcy judge Redfield Baum rejected Mr. Balsillie’s attempts to relocate the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton, the co-CEO of Research In Motion stated the court “did not approve either our approach or the NHL’s” in purchasing the NHL team. Mr. Basillie stated the court still controls the sale of the money-losing Coyotes. He said the court confirmed that he has been approved by the NHL as an owner in 2006 and remains one today.

“We look forward to hearing from the NHL soon on its view of our relocation application and an appropriate relocation fee,” he said.