The West Kelowna Warriors have named Chris Laurie as their new President. Laurie will take over immediately and oversee all elements of the hockey club and business operations. Chris grew up in West Kelowna and was the first marketing director for the Warriors for the first two seasons from 2006 to 2008, forming the Vision Sports Group. Chris continued to work in the AHL, followed by a three year stint as general manager of the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League, which included a league championship in his senior year. In 2013, Chris moved back to downtown Okanagan to be closer to family and pursue other business interests.
Chris Laurie commented, “I am very excited to be back in my hometown. I have many fond memories of my time with the warriors and all the wonderful supporters I met along the way. I’ve always had an affinity with this organization and I look forward to changing it. It is a privilege to work in hockey, and I thank the new team owners, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Hume, for entrusting me with this opportunity. This has grown into a storied franchise that has seen multiple peaks and valleys in its 13 year tenure. We must do our part to deliver a stable, competitive, and fun product that our community will be proud of. We will be active members of our community and work in partnership with local organizations starting in our own backyard with West Kelowna Minor Hockey. Our ownership is long term and we will invest the necessary efforts and resources to become a flagship of the BCHL franchise. “
Chief Owner John Murphy stated, “Rod Hume and I are very fortunate to have Chris as President. Not only is he a proven manager with experience in every aspect of the hockey business, but a true professional in every way. It is our commitment to the players, our staff and the fans that we want to increase the professionalism of this organization. Hiring Chris is an important step in this direction. ”
Rod Hume, owner and managing partner, commented, “I’ve known Chris for a number of years and we have attended many Warriors games together. His passion for the game of hockey and for making the game night an entertaining experience for everyone is palpable. Being from West Kelowna, he cares deeply about this community. We welcome Chris to the team and look forward to building a successful culture. ”
The first two home games under the new ownership regime are Friday November 22nd and Saturday November 23rd. Chris promises instant upgrades to the game night presentation.
