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(UPDATE: Nov. 13 @ 9:30 am) - Not even 24 hours after officially taking over the West Kelowna Warriors, the new ownership team has found their president.
Chris Laurie will take over as the president of the Warriors, more than a decade after leaving his hometown club the first time.
He was born in West Kelowna and was the Warriors' inaugural marketing director from 2006-2008 and has since worked in the AHL and the North American Hockey League.
In 2013, Laurie moved home to be closer to family and pursue other interests, which has led him to this new position with the Warriors.
"I’ve always had an affinity for this organization and I look forward to helping turn it around," said Laurie.
"It is a privilege to work in hockey and I thank new team owners Mr. Murphy and Mr. Hume for entrusting me with this opportunity."
Laurie says the Warriors have become a storied franchise, centred around an RBC Cup victory in 2016, but there have been many peaks and valleys over the past 13 years.
He says that he and the new ownership group needs to do their part to provide a stable, competitive and entertaining product that will make the community proud.
"We will be active members of our community and will work in partnership with local organizations, starting in our own back yard with West Kelowna Minor Hockey," he said.
"Our ownership is committed long term and we will invest the necessary efforts and resources to become a flagship BCHL franchise.”
On Tuesday, it was announced that businessman John Murphy and local resident Rod Hume had taken over ownership of the Warriors.
(Original story: Nov. 12 @ 9:55 am) - The West Kelowna Warriors have new ownership.
The Junior A franchise, which has been under control of the BCHL for the past few weeks, has officially been purchased and will immediately begin to operate under its new ownership.
Businessman John Murphy and local resident Rod Hume are the duo that have taken over the team, with Murphy being the principal owner.
NEWS: The West Kelowna Warriors are excited to announce their new ownership group led by John Murphy & Rod Hume.
— West Kelowna Warriors (@BCHLWarriors) November 12, 2019
FULL STORY: https://t.co/AdCWwfiX3r#BCHL pic.twitter.com/wbhYllwzFg
Murphy said the pair are quite excited to take over the club, which is just over three years removed from winning the 2016 RBC Cup as the best Junior A team in the nation.
“We share a passion for hockey, for developing student athletes, and for the great community of West Kelowna and the greater Okanagan region,” Murphy explained.
“The Warriors have been a successful franchise in the best college track Junior A league in the country and we intend to continue this tradition.”
The team’s new owner recognized that there’s been a couple years of instability surrounding the Warriors, but said “today that changes.”
“Our mission is to consistently compete for cups, to provide an environment where young men can develop into college hockey players and to be a positive force in the community. We have a plan and can’t wait to get started.”
The Warriors will continue to play their games out of Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna.
According to Hume, the main goal is to create a program in West Kelowna that is second to none in terms of developing players in all facets.
“This can start even before players reach the Junior age, and we want to be supporters of youth hockey in the region,” he said
“Once here, our players will receive first class training both on and off (the) ice and will be put in an environment that prepares them for the next step in hockey and education.”
Murphy made sure to thank former owner Kim Dobranski for his efforts to operate the team during challenging times, along with long-time owner Mark Cheyne for building the tradition in West Kelowna.
“Our number one goal is to bring a Cup back to West Kelowna,” said Murphy.
“We want this entire community to feel a part of this effort and look forward to a great partnership with our fans.”
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