TORONTO - With all eyes in the basketball universe focused on the Raptors in 2016, Canadas team is positioned to look a whole lot different. Mike Mitchell Jersey . With the exception of their occasionally contested team name, the Raptors are slated for a full brand makeover by the time NBA All-Star weekend rolls into town in February of 2016. Alongside Drake - Grammy award-winning artist and the teams new global ambassador - and an eclectic panel which included NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, Tim Leiweke revealed an initiative to utilize the Toronto-born rap star in redesigning the Raptors image. "We are now going to submit to the league a new application for new branding and a new image and new colours, not a new name, but new branding," MLSEs chief executive announced at Monday mornings news conference. "Drake will be an ambassador and help us forge this new vision, this new buzz, this new excitement for where were taking this organization." This process has already begun according to Leiweke, who will work with MLSE, in conjunction with the NBA to complete these changes prior to the 2015-16 campaign, a monumental season for the franchise. Not only will Toronto welcome the NBAs annual showcase that year, it will also mark the organizations 20th anniversary season. "This is a team and this is a sport thats going to rock this city going forward," Leiweke said. "The NBA All-Star game gives us two years now to do some extraordinary things as we head to our 20th anniversary and create one of the greatest basketball opportunities, moments and franchises for the NBA." Leiweke has enlisted the help of Torontos most prominent entertainer. Drake will lend a hand in remaking the Raptors brand in addition to unofficially hosting events throughout All-Star week, but his role with the club could be even greater. "Weve only had initial meetings thus far," said Drake, who will have a permanent office right next to Leiwekes at MLSE headquarters. "I want to be as involved as possible. Obviously I have a busy schedule coming up, I just released an album, but anything they need me for I want to be here for, anything that can help the Raptors grow in the future." "Obviously I wont be able to be in the building everyday but Im extremely dedicated to it," the 26-year-old rap icon continued. "I do take it very seriously as a new job and as a new chapter in my life so its not just something for the sake of all the cameras. Im extremely dedicated to this franchise." Per Leiweke, Drake will be heavily involved in the design of the Torontos new logo and image, while suggestions from fans will also be incorporated. As for the team name itself, despite earlier speculation that it could be changed - and the best efforts of Leiweke - it will remain as is. "I would have changed the name," Leiweke admitted. "We took a vote and I lost." "Theres a lot of people that are smart in this organization, that have been here a while and they made a compelling case where the issue is not the name. So were going to go with them on that one and Im 100 per cent supportive." New general manager Masai Ujiri made a strong argument for keeping the name and focusing on something far more important, something that will be crucial for this team as they prepare to host the leagues marquee midseason event in 2016. "Anything you do, for me, is all based on winning," Ujiri maintained. "You can have the best name, worst name, you can have any colours you want if you have the right basketball players and thats our responsibility." "This is all great and this is beautiful for the city," he continued, "but at the end of the day my responsibility and my teams responsibility is to put that basketball team on the floor thats going to go out and try and win out there." Neither Leiweke nor Ujiri could, or cared to dodge the pressure that comes with hosting the worlds best players for the most star-studded event that professional basketball has to offer. With great opportunity comes great responsibility. "I think the 20th anniversary and All-Star game and the rebranding are all great," Leiweke cautioned, "but if we dont win and take advantage of the moment of truth, theyll all be wasted." That leaves the organization 28 months to right the ship. Entering their 19th season, the Raptors have missed the playoffs in each of the last five years. Theyve won just one playoff series, they havent had an all-star since Chris Bosh in 2010 and they have failed, time and time again to reestablish themselves as a relevant NBA entity following the departure of Vince Carter over eight years ago. The challenge is simple in concept; win, but slightly more convoluted in execution. Cheap Hines Ward Jersey . Doneil Henry, the man who scored Toronto FCs last-gasp game winner Saturday, knows that probably better than anyone. Franco Harris Steelers Jersey . The Stars were up 3-1 in the third. Stars and Jets will meet at the MTS Centre Sunday night (TSN Jets, TSN 1290) in what is a must win for the Jets. The Jets and Stars will meet in Dallas later this month, the Stars have two games in hand.WINDSOR, Ont. - Matt Murray made 38 saves, including 17 in the opening period, for his fifth shutout of the season, as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds whipped the Windsor Spitfires 6-0 in Ontario Hockey League action on Thursday. Dylan Corson scored twice for the Greyhounds (30-10-5), who won their fourth in a row. Andrew Fritsch, Patrick Watling, Blake Speers and Bryan Moore also scored for Sault Ste. Marie, which led Windsor (25-17-2) 3-0 after one period and 6-0 after two. Spitfires goalie Dalen Kuchmey allowed three goals on 22 shots in just over 28 minutes. His replacement, Alex Fotinos, stopped seven of 10 shots. --- PETES 5 STEELHEADS 4 PETERBOROUGH, Ont. -- The Petes built a 5-2 lead in the second period before holding off Mississauga. Brandon Devlin, Hunter Garlent, Eric Cornel, Anthony Stefano and Nelson Armstrong scored for Peterborough (18-21-4). Sam Babintsev scored twice for the Steelheads (16-25-4), who lost their fourth in a row. Greg DiTomaso and Brett Foy also scored for Mississauga. Foys goal at 7:34 of the third period made it a one-goal game. Andrew DAgostini stopped 25 shots for the Petes, while Spencer Martin handled 23 shots for the Steelheads. --- ICEDOGS 6 FRONTENACS 3 ST. CATHARINES, Ont. -- Mitchell Fitzmorris struck twice as Niagara topped Kingston. Carter Verhaeghe scored and added two assists for the IceDogs (15-22-6), while Matt Gillard had the eventual winner. Anthony DiFruscia and Aleksandar Mikulovich had goals as well. Brent Moran got the start in Niagaras net, stopping all 10 shots he faced in 12:40 of work. Markus Wheaton Steelers Jersey. He was replaced by Blake Richard, who turned aside 30 of 33 shots faced. Conor McGlynn had a pair of goals for the Frontenacs (24-15-4), while Lawson Crouse added a single. Matt Mahalak started in net, making 24 saves on 28 shots for Kingston in 29:04 of work. Lucas Peressini kicked out eight of 10 shots in relief. --- COLTS 4 BATTALION 3 (SO) NORTH BAY, Ont. -- Joseph Blandisi and Andreas Athanasiou scored in the shootout as Barrie edged the Battalion. Athanasiou scored on a penalty shot in the third period for the Colts (22-17-3), then Blandisi tied the game 3-3 to force overtime. Andrew Mangiapane had a short-handed goal in the second. Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves for the win. Ben Thomson had a pair of goals for North Bay (21-17-6) and Matt MacLeod scored as well. Jake Smith stopped 33 shots. --- KNIGHTS 6 RANGERS 2 LONDON, Ont. -- The London Knights fired 52 shots on net and ended a three-game losing streak with a win over Kitchener. Chris Tierney scored twice for the Knights (29-9-5), with his first coming in a four-goal second period. Brett Welychka, Josh Anderson and brothers Ryan and Matt Rupert also scored for London Justin Bailey opened the scoring for the Rangers (15-26-2) 41 seconds into the game. Mike Davies tied it for Kitchener at 2-2 in the second period. Anthony Stolarz made 39 saves for London, while Matthew Greenfield stopped 46 for the Rangers. ' ' '
