Calgary Surge Announce the Return of their Basketball Operations Leadership

March 5, 2024

The Calgary Surge announced the return of the team’s basketball operations leadership on Tuesday: General Manager - Shane James, Assistant General Manager - Michael Girling, and Senior  Advisor - Steve Konchalski. 


“We are delighted to welcome Shane, Mike, and Steve back to the Calgary Surge. Their return  underscores our dedication to assembling a team of exceptional talent and reinforces our mission to bring  a CEBL Championship to the city of Calgary,” said Dylan Howe, Calgary Surge Vice President. 


Shane James served as the team’s General Manager in their inaugural season and played a leading role  in assembling a roster that led the franchise to the 2023 CEBL Championship Final. James is a  committed educator and champion of youth basketball. As the Founder and Director of the Under Armour  Canada Elite AAU basketball program, he has helped develop some of Canada’s brightest NBA talent. He  was also the Assistant General Manager of the CEBL’s Guelph Nighthawks for two seasons, before the  franchise relocated to Calgary in October 2022.


“I am honoured and excited to rejoin the Calgary Surge after a very successful inaugural campaign. This  is a first-class organization, and I am proud to be a part of it,” said Calgary Surge General Manager,  Shane James. “I am eager to get back to work and continue what we started in building a championship culture.”


Steve “Coach K” Konchalski served as the team’s Senior Advisor in their inaugural season. Konchalski  served as the head coach of the St. Francis Xavier University men’s basketball team from 1975 to 2021.  During his tenure at StFX, he led the X-Men to 13 National Tournament appearances, including three  National Championships in 1993, 2000, and 2001. He ended his 46-year coaching career at StFX with  919 career victories in 1495 games, making him the most winningest coach in Canadian university basketball history.


Michael Girling served as the team’s Assistant General Manager in 2023. Previously, Girling spent four  seasons with the CEBL’s Guelph Nighthawks, serving as Assistant Coach and Director of Basketball  Operations. He spent an additional year in professional basketball as the Lead Assistant Coach for the  KW Titans of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC). He has been a coach at the U SPORTS  level for several years and is currently serving as the Lead Assistant Coach for the women’s basketball  program at the University of Guelph.


Fans can now purchase tickets to the team’s season opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome www.calgarysurge.ca/surge2thedome. 


About the Calgary Surge

The Calgary Surge tipped off their inaugural season at WinSport Event Centre in May 2023, after  originating the Guelph Nighthawks, one of the founding members of the Canadian Elite Basketball  League (CEBL). From day one, the Surge have been committed to being the Home Team for Calgary and  a space where everyone is welcome. 


The Calgary Surge are active members of the community and have participated in a few hundred events  (and counting) around the city that connect the team with diverse communities through sort and  entertainment. In their inaugural season, the Surge finished 1st overall in the Western Conference and  were crowned Western Conference Champions in the playoffs. For more information, visit  www.calgarysurge.ca. 


About the Canadian Elite Basketball League

A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches,  sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro  league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the  NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA  programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season,  and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs  from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

Les Bandits de Vancouver reçoivent le prix d’excellence communautaire pour une deuxième année consécutive.

October 28, 2025
Avec le lancement d’une fondation, l’élargissement de ses programmes jeunesse et la mise en œuvre d’initiatives culturelles, les Bandits signent une saison historique marquée par un impact significatif dans leur communauté

Vancouver Bandits Earn Community Champion Award for Second Straight Year

October 28, 2025
New foundation, expanded youth programs, and cultural initiatives highlight a landmark season of community impact led by the Bandits

Le Surge de Calgary reçoit le prix d’excellence numérique 2025 de la LECB

October 27, 2025
Les récipiendaires des Prix d’affaires 2025 de la LECB seront dévoilés du 27 au 30 octobre

Calgary Surge Recognized with 2025 CEBL Digital Excellence Award

October 27, 2025
2025 CEBL Business Award winners to be unveiled from October 27-30

La ligue remercie son « dirigeant fondateur » Mike Morreale

October 20, 2025
La meilleure ligue professionnelle de basketball du Canada et son premier commissaire et cofondateur prennent des chemins différents après un mandat de huit ans couronné de succès

CEBL Thanks “Foundational Leader” Mike Morreale

October 20, 2025
Canada’s top pro basketball league and its first Commissioner and Co-Founder part ways following a successful eight-year tenure

Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa nomment Winters président

October 9, 2025
Les BlackJacks d’Ottawa de la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball (LECB) ont annoncé aujourd’hui la nomination de Jason Winters à titre de nouveau président du club. Winters se joint aux BlackJacks après avoir occupé le poste de directeur général de Myers Kanata Nissan depuis 2019. Chef d’entreprise très respecté au sein de la communauté ottavienne, lui et sa famille ont également possédé et exploité plusieurs franchises Booster Juice dans la région de la capitale. Détenteur d’abonnements de saison des BlackJacks de longue date, Winters apporte une profonde passion pour le basketball ainsi qu’un solide bilan en matière de partenariats authentiques et de création de valeur tangible pour les parties prenantes. « En tant que détenteur d’abonnement saisonnier et fier partisan des BlackJacks, il a été incroyable de voir l’évolution de l’équipe et la notoriété croissante de la LECB au Canada », a déclaré Winters. « Assumer le rôle de président pour diriger cette équipe et servir notre communauté est un honneur pour ma famille et moi. Je suis enthousiaste et déterminé à bâtir sur les bases solides que les BlackJacks ont déjà établies, avec intégrité, passion et un profond respect pour nos partisans et la communauté d’Ottawa. » Dans son nouveau rôle de président, Jason guidera les BlackJacks vers une ère nouvelle et prometteuse — en renforçant les liens avec la communauté et en accroissant l’impact du club, tant sur le terrain qu’en dehors, alors que l’équipe continue d’élargir sa présence au sein de la LECB et dans toute la région d’Ottawa. « Nous sommes fiers et honorés d’accueillir Jason dans ce rôle de leadership », a déclaré Justin Pascoe, PDG de Diamond Sports Canada. « En tant que membre de longue date de la communauté d’Ottawa, il apporte une vaste expérience professionnelle, une réputation d’excellence et de solides valeurs familiales qui lui ont valu le respect généralisé dans toute la région. » « Le leadership, l'intégrité et la passion de toujours de Jason pour le basketball font de lui la personne idéale pour guider les BlackJacks vers une nouvelle étape prometteuse », a poursuivi Pascoe. « Il incarne les valeurs que nous souhaitons voir représenter par ce club et entretient un véritable lien avec nos partisans et notre communauté. Ensemble, nous ferons des BlackJacks une équipe dont nos partisans, nos commanditaires et notre ville pourront être fiers, tant sur le terrain qu’en dehors. » Diplômé du Collège Algonquin des arts appliqués et de la technologie, Winters vit dans le quartier Old Ottawa South avec sa famille : Sherry, Archer, Zoe et Nevaeah. Les forfaits d’abonnement pour la saison 2026 sont maintenant disponibles en ligne à l’adresse theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships . ###

BlackJacks Appoint Winters As President

October 9, 2025
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced today the appointment of Jason Winters as the club’s new president. Winters joins the BlackJacks having served as the general manager of Myers Kanata Nissan since 2019. A highly respected business leader in the Ottawa community. He and his family have also owned and operated multiple Booster Juice franchises across the Capital Region. A long-time BlackJacks season ticket holder, Winters brings a deep passion for basketball along with a proven track record of building authentic partnerships and delivering meaningful value to stakeholders. “As someone who has been in the stands as a proud season ticket holder and fan of the BlackJacks, it has been incredible to watch the growth and awareness of the team and the CEBL in Canada,” said Winters. “Stepping into the role of President to lead this team and serve our community is something that my family and I are honoured to do. I am excited and committed to building on the foundation the BlackJacks have already established with integrity, passion and a deep respect for our fans and the Ottawa community.” In his new role as President, Jason will lead the BlackJacks into an exciting new era - strengthening community ties and enhancing the club’s impact both on and off the court as the team continues to grow its presence in the CEBL and across the Ottawa region. “We are proud and privileged to welcome Jason into this leadership role,” said Justin Pascoe, CEO of Diamond Sports Canada. “As a long-standing member of the Ottawa community, he brings a wealth of professional experience, a reputation for excellence and strong family values that have earned him widespread respect throughout the region.” “Jason’s leadership, integrity and lifelong passion for basketball make him the ideal person to guide the BlackJacks into an exciting new chapter,” continued Pascoe. “He embodies the values we want this club to stand for and has a true connection to our fans and community. Together, we will make the BlackJacks a team that our fans, sponsors and city can be proud of on and off the court” A graduate of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Winters lives in Old Ottawa South with his family, Sherry, Archer, Zoe and Nevaeah. Season seat packages for the 2026 campaign are now available online at theblackjacks.ca/season-seat-memberships . ###

Chau Joins CEBL as Director, Corporate Partnerships

October 6, 2025
Please join us in welcoming Amanda Chau to the Canadian Elite Basketball League. Amanda joins as Director, Corporate Partnerships, bringing over a decade of experience in partnerships and marketing. Most recently, she was with True North Sports + Entertainment, where she supported the Winnipeg Jets and national partners with business planning, relationship development, and sponsorship strategy. Her background also includes account and project management at Direct Focus Marketing Agency, where she worked across brand strategies, events, and sponsorship opportunities, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the diverse needs of dynamic clients and brands. Welcome to the CEBL team, Amanda!

Couvrette se joint à la LECB en tant que directeur principal, partenariats corporatifs

September 25, 2025
Joignez-vous à nous pour souhaiter la bienvenue à Jean Couvrette, qui se joint à la Ligue élite canadienne de basketball à titre de directeur principal, partenariats corporatifs. Jean apporte plus de 30 ans d'expérience dans le développement de partenariats, le marketing sportif et la gestion d’équipes de ventes. Il a occupé des postes clés au sein d'organisations telles que le Grand Prix de Formule 1 du Canada, Professional Sports Management, SPORTSQUÉBEC et les Alouettes de Montréal, où il a constamment obtenu d'excellents résultats en matière de commandites et de ventes. Plus récemment, il a agi à titre de consultant pour des organisations de premier plan, dont Soccer Québec, la Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes, les Carabins de l’Université de Montréal, Ironman Mont-Tremblant et Golf Québec. Bienvenue dans l’équipe de la LECB, Jean!