The USHL has announced that it has formally approved the sale of the Des Moines Buccaneers to Orchard View Sports and Entertainment (OVSE). OVSE is comprised of former Des Moines Buccaneers goaltender Scott Clemmensen, Michael Devlin and other investors.
Clemmensen is a native of Urbandale, Iowa and played for the Buccaneers from 1995-97 prior to being selected by the New Jersey Devils in the 1997 NHL Draft. Following his USHL career, Clemmensen played four seasons (1997-2001) at Boston College, winning the 2001 National Championship with the Eagles. He would later become the first Iowa-born player to play in the NHL. Following a 14-year career in the NHL, he joined the New Jersey Devils as a Goaltending Development Coach.
“I am excited to announce my partnership with OVSE and our subsequent purchase of the Des Moines Buccaneers,” said Clemmensen. “I am very proud to call myself a Des Moines native and equally proud of this effort to re-energize hockey in this great community. It is our intent to lead the franchise to become a top-tier team in the USHL and a major driving force for minor hockey in the area.”
Devlin is currently the Managing Director of Curragh Capital Partners, a private investment group headquartered in New York, New York.
“As a fellow Boston College grad, I have followed Scott’s career for quite awhile. We’ve had some great conversations about the possibility of owning a USHL franchise and were very pleased the opportunity to purchase the Buccaneers arose,” said Devlin. “The Des Moines sports community has been overwhelmingly gracious and welcoming. We are extremely thankful for all the support we’ve received locally, from the league and from USA Hockey.”
League approval of the sale followed negotiations between OVSE and Buccaneers Hockey, LLC that were managed by Tommy George of The Sports Advisory Group (SAG), an organization specialized in transactions of professional and amateur sports teams. SAG was introduced to former owner Gil Peled by the USHL and represented the sell side of the transaction.
“This is an exciting day for the Des Moines Buccaneers, the USHL and the entire Des Moines community,” said USHL president and commissioner Bob Fallen. “This ownership group grasps the historic relevance of the Bucs and the important role that the team and the league play in the development of players and coaches in the United States. The Bucs have been a fixture on the Des Moines sports and entertainment landscape for nearly four decades and we are thrilled with the new ownership’s vision for the future.”
The Buccaneers will remain in Urbandale, Iowa and continue to play home games at Buccaneer Arena. The Des Moines Buccaneers are one of the most historic USHL member clubs, dating back to the 1980-81 season. The Buccaneers have won four Clark Cup championships (2006, 1999, 1995, 1992) and four Anderson Cup championships (1999, 1998, 1995, 1992).
“It has been an honor and pleasure to have owned the Buccaneers. My family and I have enjoyed our time in the League and the people of Des Moines,” said Gil Peled, former Chairman of Buccaneers Hockey, LLC. “We wish the new ownership group the best of luck, and look forward to watching the United States Hockey League prosper in the years to come.”
