Warriors get new owners
Wayne Moore - Nov 12, 2019 - Biz Releases

Photo: Contributed

It didn’t take long for the BC Hockey League to find a new owner for the beleaguered West Kelowna Warriors.

Boston businessman John Murphy and Kelowna resident Rod Hume have purchased the team from the league.

The deal was reached late Friday night, just as the ink was drying on the league’s purchase of the club from former owner Kim Dobranski.

“It is with great excitement that Rod Hume and I take over the West Kelowna Warriors. We share a passion for hockey, for developing student athletes, and for the great community of West Kelowna and the greater Okanagan region,” Murphy said.

“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 past few years have been a period of instability for the franchise and today that changes.”

Murphy says the mission of the new ownership group is to consistently compete for championships and to be a positive force within the community while providing an environment where young men can develop into college hockey players.

“We have a plan and can’t wait to get started.”

Despite rumours to the contrary, Murphy says the team will continue to operate out of Royal LePage Place this year and long term.

He adds the new ownership group envisions a development model that benefits both the team and the community.

“We want to create a program that is second to none in terms of development,” Hume said.

“This can start even before players reach the junior age, and we want to be supporters of youth hockey in the region. Once here, our players will receive first-class training both on and off ice and will be put in an environment that prepares them for the next step in hockey and education.”

Murphy thanks previous owners Dobranski and Mark Cheyne, saying he wants to live up to the tradition Cheyne built during the eight years he owned the club.

“Our number one goal is to bring a cup back to West Kelowna,” Murphy said. “We want this entire community to feel a part of this effort and look forward to a great partnership with our fans.”

Murphy and Hume have had an interest in purchasing the BCHL club dating back to the summer of 2018.

Murphy’s son R.J. played with the Warriors two seasons ago.


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