A new era has begun for West Kelowna hockey as faces were put to names in the team香蕉视频直播檚 introduction of the new owners and the team香蕉视频直播檚 new president.
Earlier this week, the Warriors announced that Boston-based business man John Murphy and West Kelowna local Rod Hume had purchased the team from the BC Hockey League. On Wednesday, the ownership team introduced another West Kelowna local, Chris Laurie, as the Warriors香蕉视频直播� new president of both hockey and business operations.
Murphy said that the new management team is ready to bring the Warriors out of the proverbial gutters after a financially challenging and dramatic three years under the previous ownership.
香蕉视频直播淚 think West Kelowna deserves and can support a junior hockey franchise,香蕉视频直播� he said.
香蕉视频直播淲e want to grow a fanbase and we香蕉视频直播檙e going to grow it everyday; we have a plan. We think strong ownership with professional management and a winning culture can bring a successful franchise here to West Kelowna.香蕉视频直播�
READ MORE: West Kelowna Warriors find new owner
READ MORE: Front office changes continue for West Kelowna Warriors
New and professional management comes in the form of Laurie, who served as the team香蕉视频直播檚 marketing director from 2006 to 2008. Now, over 10 years later, Laurie returns with experience under his belt and ready to make the necessary hockey and business changes to bring back a hockey-loving and winning culture to the Warriors.
Laurie had a three-year run as the general manager with the North American Hockey League香蕉视频直播檚 Armarillo Bulls where he won a league championship in his final year and is ready to reignite the passion for his hometown team.
香蕉视频直播淚t starts in the community,香蕉视频直播� said Laurie.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檒l be looking to build and rebuild any relationships that maybe aren香蕉视频直播檛 where they should be right now and really start with the grassroots.香蕉视频直播�
Laurie said there is plenty of work ahead where the Warriors will be looking to earn back the fanbase香蕉视频直播檚 loyalty and patronage.
New president Chris Laurie and owner John Murphy said they look forward to the clean slate after the new management changes coming to 's BCHL team. Read more
香蕉视频直播� Mack Britton (@MackBrittonBC)
While changes are coming to the top, both Murray and Laurie said that though the Warriors are struggling for wins this season, there will be no changes to the team香蕉视频直播檚 coaching staff and that there is 100 per cent faith in coach Brandon West.
香蕉视频直播淏randon and his group of done a good job in keeping the guys competitive and keeping them focused,香蕉视频直播� said Laurie.
香蕉视频直播淲e look at this as an opportunity for a clean slate for us and our group and we want to build on that.香蕉视频直播�
Murphy, who香蕉视频直播檚 son played for the Warriors two seasons ago, said that they have complete confidence in West.
香蕉视频直播淗e has our support,香蕉视频直播� said Murphy.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 thinking every day how to make the team better, how to coach the team better. Brandon香蕉视频直播檚 a professional coach and that香蕉视频直播檚 what we want.香蕉视频直播�
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The team香蕉视频直播檚 last year under former owner Kim Dobranski was riddled with bad press, lawsuits and left a sour taste in many West Kelowna fans香蕉视频直播� mouths which led to a steady drop in attendance.
Despite the past struggles, the team香蕉视频直播檚 new management is ready for the opportunity to reinvest into the Warriors.
香蕉视频直播淲e want to look forward, that香蕉视频直播檚 our goal,香蕉视频直播� said Murphy
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e putting a team in place to do that and we don香蕉视频直播檛 want to look backwards. This team has had a lot of peaks and valleys, but we want to reestablish a winning franchise and a franchise that connects with the community. We香蕉视频直播檙e not going to talk much about the past.香蕉视频直播�
The Warriors will return to Royal LePage Place on Nov. 22 for their first home game since the end of October.
Laurie has promised new features for the Warriors home return, including a 2-for-1 drink happy hour, and invites the entire West Kelowna community to come experience the new look, new cultured Warriors.
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