McClelland & Stewart today announced the formation of a new hockey-themed imprint to be helmed by Jordan Fenn, the publisher of Fenn Publishing and Key Porter Books. Effective immediately, Fenn joins M&S as publisher of the newly created Fenn/McClelland & Stewart imprint.

M&S publisher and president Doug Pepper was not available for comment on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear if the move coincides with the acquisition of the similarly hockey-focused Fenn Publishing, which has been on hiatus since last month’s bankruptcy of parent H.B. Fenn and Company. According to a press release sent out by M&S, “[The new] imprint will publish the established and bestselling hockey book program Jordan Fenn is renowned for publishing with such great success.”

Prolific hockey author Andrew Podnieks, who has published several titles with Fenn Publishing, says he had been in touch with Jordan Fenn following H.B. Fenn’s collapse and wasn’t surprised by today’s news. I think Jordan has always wanted to stay in publishing, Podnieks said. This is a great opportunity for him.

Still, Podnieks remained in the dark about the status of Fenn Publishing. My sense from what I’ve heard from Jordan ¦ is that what he’s bringing to the table is his expertise in hockey publishing and his connections with hockey organizations, he said.

Fenn Publishing was founded in 1982 by H.B. Fenn president Harold Fenn, Jordan’s father. Jordan Fenn took over as publisher in 1997.

Over the years, the company has published many successful hockey titles, including Over the Boards by Ron Ellis, Centre Ice by Tom Smythe, All that Glitters by Joseé Chouinard, A Fan for All Seasons by Tom Gaston, and Brian McFarlane’s Mitchell Brothers YA series. Fenn also has long-standing relationships with hockey organizations such as the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, Hockey Canada, and Hockey Night in Canada.

Last year, Fenn Publishing lost a major contract with the Hockey Hall of Fame to Firefly Books.

The first title to appear under the new Fenn/M&S imprint is a 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Championship book scheduled for June, with more to follow this fall and in 2012.

Pepper said in a statement, McClelland & Stewart is enthusiastic about the opportunity to help ensure the ongoing publication of, and grow the readership for, this successful hockey book program in Canada and the U.S.

Jordan Fenn commented, I am truly looking forward to this unique and exciting opportunity, and sincerely thank M&S for their enthusiasm and commitment to this new imprint and relationship.

“ With files from Zoe Whittall

[Note: An earlier version of this story suggested that M&S may have acquired Fenn Publishing’s backlist, but Q&Q was unable to confirm this detail by Wednesday evening. Keep reading Q&Q for more coverage.]