A new era has begun for West Kelowna hockey as faces were put to names in the team害羞草研究所檚 introduction of the new owners and the team害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淚 think West Kelowna deserves and can support a junior hockey franchise,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淲e want to grow a fanbase and we害羞草研究所檙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.害羞草研究所�
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害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 Armarillo Bulls where he won a league championship in his final year and is ready to reignite the passion for his hometown team.
害羞草研究所淚t starts in the community,害羞草研究所� said Laurie.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檒l be looking to build and rebuild any relationships that maybe aren害羞草研究所檛 where they should be right now and really start with the grassroots.害羞草研究所�
Laurie said there is plenty of work ahead where the Warriors will be looking to earn back the fanbase害羞草研究所檚 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
害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所檚 coaching staff and that there is 100 per cent faith in coach Brandon West.
害羞草研究所淏randon and his group of done a good job in keeping the guys competitive and keeping them focused,害羞草研究所� said Laurie.
害羞草研究所淲e look at this as an opportunity for a clean slate for us and our group and we want to build on that.害羞草研究所�
Murphy, who害羞草研究所檚 son played for the Warriors two seasons ago, said that they have complete confidence in West.
害羞草研究所淗e has our support,害羞草研究所� said Murphy.
害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 thinking every day how to make the team better, how to coach the team better. Brandon害羞草研究所檚 a professional coach and that害羞草研究所檚 what we want.害羞草研究所�
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The team害羞草研究所檚 last year under former owner Kim Dobranski was riddled with bad press, lawsuits and left a sour taste in many West Kelowna fans害羞草研究所� mouths which led to a steady drop in attendance.
Despite the past struggles, the team害羞草研究所檚 new management is ready for the opportunity to reinvest into the Warriors.
害羞草研究所淲e want to look forward, that害羞草研究所檚 our goal,害羞草研究所� said Murphy
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e putting a team in place to do that and we don害羞草研究所檛 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害羞草研究所檙e not going to talk much about the past.害羞草研究所�
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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