A new era has begun for West Kelowna hockey as faces were put to names in the team91裸聊视频檚 introduction of the new owners and the team91裸聊视频檚 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 Warriors91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淚 think West Kelowna deserves and can support a junior hockey franchise,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淲e want to grow a fanbase and we91裸聊视频檙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.91裸聊视频�
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READ MORE: Front office changes continue for West Kelowna Warriors
New and professional management comes in the form of Laurie, who served as the team91裸聊视频檚 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 League91裸聊视频檚 Armarillo Bulls where he won a league championship in his final year and is ready to reignite the passion for his hometown team.
91裸聊视频淚t starts in the community,91裸聊视频� said Laurie.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檒l be looking to build and rebuild any relationships that maybe aren91裸聊视频檛 where they should be right now and really start with the grassroots.91裸聊视频�
Laurie said there is plenty of work ahead where the Warriors will be looking to earn back the fanbase91裸聊视频檚 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
91裸聊视频� 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 team91裸聊视频檚 coaching staff and that there is 100 per cent faith in coach Brandon West.
91裸聊视频淏randon and his group of done a good job in keeping the guys competitive and keeping them focused,91裸聊视频� said Laurie.
91裸聊视频淲e look at this as an opportunity for a clean slate for us and our group and we want to build on that.91裸聊视频�
Murphy, who91裸聊视频檚 son played for the Warriors two seasons ago, said that they have complete confidence in West.
91裸聊视频淗e has our support,91裸聊视频� said Murphy.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 thinking every day how to make the team better, how to coach the team better. Brandon91裸聊视频檚 a professional coach and that91裸聊视频檚 what we want.91裸聊视频�
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The team91裸聊视频檚 last year under former owner Kim Dobranski was riddled with bad press, lawsuits and left a sour taste in many West Kelowna fans91裸聊视频� mouths which led to a steady drop in attendance.
Despite the past struggles, the team91裸聊视频檚 new management is ready for the opportunity to reinvest into the Warriors.
91裸聊视频淲e want to look forward, that91裸聊视频檚 our goal,91裸聊视频� said Murphy
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e putting a team in place to do that and we don91裸聊视频檛 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. We91裸聊视频檙e not going to talk much about the past.91裸聊视频�
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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