The Pembroke Lumber Kings have a new owner. The Central Canada Hockey League announced on July 10, 2026, that local businessman Brian Johnstone has been unanimously approved to buy the team. Johnstone owns several McDonald’s franchises in Pembroke, Petawawa, and Arnprior. Tanya Tompkins will join him to run community and business operations.
The sale comes after a rough stretch for the team. Former owner Alex Armstrong was removed in September 2025 following complaints about how he handled team money and treated players. Hockey Canada then suspended Armstrong through the end of the 2026-27 season. The league ended his membership in April 2026 after he used up all his appeals. Still, Armstrong’s lawyer is asking a court to stop the sale while a legal fight continues.
The Lumber Kings just finished their worst season ever. The team went 10-42-0-2-1 and ended up last in the standings. The new ownership group says it wants to turn things around. “We are looking forward to welcoming the fans back to the PMC at the Pembroke Lumber Kings home opener, Sept 27th vs Brockville Braves,” the league posted on social media.
Pembroke has been called Hockey Town Canada since 1980, and the Lumber Kings have a long history here. The team has won 14 league championships, the last one in 2011. That same year, they won the national RBC Cup. The team plays at the Pembroke Memorial Centre, which has been the home of hockey in town since 1951.
Johnstone and Tompkins will now focus on the future. They want to build a team that the community can be proud of again. The home opener on September 27, 2026, against Brockville will be the first chance for fans to see a fresh start for their team.
