After weeks of speculation and the field of cities being pared down to Vancouver, Québec, Montréal, and Kansas City, ownership surprised supporters and critics alike by naming Ottawa in Ontario, Canada as the destination of the erstwhile Empires.
When asked why Ottawa, owner Pierre Gastineau had this to say, "We just felt that it was time to bring WBA baseball back to the Great White North. We want to be Canada's team and so what better place than the nation's capital - especially with the Washington Senators reportedly moving out of the U.S. capital."
Gastineau also announced the team's new name, the Whiskey Jacks and revealed the new logo and uniforms. In addition, the full slate of minor league affiliates was announced as follows: AAA: Québec Capitales, AA: Vancouver Mounties, A: Trois-Rivières Aigles, and R: Guelph Royals.
At the press conference announcing the move one American reporter asked, "What the heck is a whiskey jack?"
Gastineau replied, "Are you kidding? A whiskey jack? Gray jay? Also known as the Canada jay? Nothing? Well, they're found all over Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific, north to south. The Royal Canadian Geographical Society started a vote to determine what might become the national bird of Canada since we don't have one yet. That it is found in every province and territory, doesn't leave when things get a bit nippy, has a cheerful, but determined disposition - and that it's just a beautiful, if understated bird, all recommend the whiskey jack for elevation to status as our national bird and to grace our brand new uniforms. The nation's team, with the nation's bird, in the nation's capital. What could be more fitting?!"
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