West Kelowna Warriors now have new owners

The West Kelowna Warriors situation got a lot clearer today, Nov. 12, with the announcement that new owners have bought the team.

The Warriors were in some limbo earlier this year when controversial owner Kim Dobranski gave up the team in October. It was managed by the league while they search for a new owner. John Murphy and local Rod Hume have stepped up to take it over, according to a news release. 

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

Murphy will represent the team as governor while Hume will be managing partner. They intend to be involved with all aspects of the team and want to create a 'development model.'

“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.”

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