Controversy Hangs Over Franchise

Rumoured Possible Sale of Kamloops Storm
Catches Media/Public Attention

Earlier this week the local newspapers released an article about the possible purchase of the Kamloops Storm involving a group headed up by the BCHL's Merritt Centennials coach, Al Glendinning. The rumour is that the Glendinning group would own both the Centennials and the Storm with the intention of swapping locations.

I had actually heard the story the previous week from inside the Storm's management group but had shrugged it off as rumour material that wasn't ready for comment. Well, now it is.

My understanding and further speculation of the situation is this:

The Merritt Centennials have been struggling the last few years, financially and talent-wise. Pathetically small gates and a small town that offers little in the way of attractions for potential star players, the franchise has failed to keep pace with the rest of the BCHL. With an average of 450 fans in a league that consistently attracts 1000 fans as a minimum in most rinks, leaves the Centennials at a disadvantage. It puts great pressure on team financially and on the volunteers who have stood by, working their fingers to the bone to support the franchise. Once a proud franchise, Merritt has neither the financing, population base or the fan support to continue losing tens of thousands of dollars a year. In essence, they really do need to move... somewhere.

But is Kamloops the right place?

Before the Kamloops Storm moved to town I had numerous conversations with other hockey fans in town and we speculated whether a Junior B or Junior A franchise would survive in Kamloops. After being intimately involved with the Storm over the past 3 seasons, I would have to say that Kamloops, at this point in their hockey history, does not have room for a viable Junior 'A' franchise.

Here's my reason's why...

The BCHL has become a prominent league in terms of supplying players not only to US college but also to the NHL. With less than 100,000 people in Kamloops, it would be risky to expect the town to support two high level junior teams. They would be feeding off each other for fan and sponsorship support.

A BCHL team has significantly more expenses than a Junior B team, particularly in the cost of billeting. Junior A players are billeted relatively free of charge to the player where the team pays compensation to the billets through fundraising, gates and sponsorships. In Junior B, the parents of the player are generally charged a monthly fee by the team to supply billets. With a prominent recession smothering the economy right now, it would appear that the cow could threaten to go dry.

The Storm average about the same amount of fans per game as the Merritt Centennials. It would be futile in my opinion to expect a major change in attendence or sponsorship in a town that has limited resources. Kamloops is not going to give up on the Blazers.

The Storm have carved out a wonderful niche in the Kamloops hockey scene. Owner Barry Dewar has 2 ex-Blazers (Ed Patterson and Steve Passmore) to handle the on ice duties (as well as some of the off ice duties). Barry has worked hard to establish a community presence, utilizing both the players and volunteers, that has grown and solidified over the last 3 seasons. I believe that this success would be hard to be improved on enough to support a Junior A franchise as long as the Blazers are in town.

Barry Dewar has said that the team is not for sale however if the right price is offered, any businessman would have to weigh his options. And that's the answer that we would expect. After all the hard work and loyalty that the Kamloops Storm has built over the last 3 years, I would be surprised if a replacement franchise would receive the same reception.

In conclusion, the Merritt Centennials need a new home. With most BCHL towns sporting populations of 30,000 or more, the town of Merritt, with a population of around 12,000, struggles to compete. But Kamloops is not the place.

Merritt however would thrive with a Junior B franchise providing it received the same corporate and fan support that the Jr A team receives now. Their location is conveniently located to operate in the Okanagan-Shuswap division. And let's face it folks, it's a lot easier to sell a strong Junior B team to the fan base rather than a perennial loser at the Junior A level.

However, at this time, Kamloops is not the answer to the woes of the Merritt Centennials.

Go to this Link to give up your opinion on the subject or to comment on someone else's opinion.

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We are down to the last month in the KIJHL season and only 5 games left in the regular season before the marathon playoff tournament. Kamloops is comfortably in first place with only 5 home games left. Over the last couple of weeks they have picked up a couple of players to try and complete their roster. They are...

Alex Christiansen - goaltender
Bill Garnett - forward

There was a question about Ryan Aynsley. Apparently he is carded with the Merritt Centennials and there is no word on whether he will be re-assigned here.

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