The Pembroke Lumber Kings junior ‘A’ hockey team has a new owner, local businessman Brian Johnstone, effective immediately as of July 9, 2026, the team announced. Johnstone, who owns the McDonald’s franchises in Pembroke, Petawawa, and Arnprior, was named the owner of a new Pembroke Lumber Kings league membership by the Central Canada Hockey League on July 10, following what the league described as unanimous approval by its Board of Governors.
Mr. Johnstone is joined by Tanya Tompkins, who will oversee community and business operations for the team. In a statement, the new ownership group said their main goal is to restore the integrity, accountability, and transparency of the organization within the local community and the hockey community.
The change marks a fresh start for the franchise after a difficult period under former owner Alex Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong’s league membership was terminated in September 2025, and his appeals through Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Canada were exhausted by April 2026, finalizing his removal. He had been suspended for two and a half years through the 2026-27 season after complaints alleged player bullying and financial mismanagement, including pressuring players to attend costly optional skills sessions and seeking money from parents through intimidation.
The Lumber Kings finished the 2025-26 season with a 10-42-0-2-1 record and 23 points, the worst in franchise history. The CCHL said the decision to approve the new ownership was made with the best long-term interests of the franchise, the league, and the players in mind.
The announcement comes despite an ongoing court case between 2695193 Ontario Inc., the ownership entity controlled by Mr. Armstrong, and the CCHL over who has the authority to control a franchise in Pembroke. The Lumber Kings are one of the original five teams of the CCHL and have won 14 Art Bogart Cup championships, the most of any franchise.
