KITCHENER - Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr has added his enthusiastic support to local businessman Jim Balsillie's bid to bring a seventh National Hockey League (NHL) team to Canada.

Balsillie, who is a cofounder of global wireless communications leader Research in Motion, is continuing his efforts to purchase the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes franchise and move the team to Hamilton.

His Make It Seven campaign, which encourages Canadians to participate in the effort and make their voices heard, has already gathered more than 155,000 Canadians and major partners including Labatt's, Home Hardware, DeWalt Tools and First Ontario Credit Union.

On Friday, June 19, the campaign will host Make it Seven Day in Canada. The day is described as a grassroots effort for Canadians to show their support and desire for a seventh NHL team in Canada.

''We support Jim Balsillie and his bid to bring a seventh NHL team to Canada because it is good for southern Ontario,'' said Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr. ''I encourage residents from across Waterloo region to join me in showing your support for a seventh Canadian NHL team.''

Residents can go to makeitseven.ca, register support for the Make It Seven campaign. Details about all of the activities that are happening on Friday, June 19 will be available on the site shortly.