Sunday, August 5, 2018

New BCHL Boss Wants League To Thrive & Grow:

This is posted on the 107.5 Beach Radio website:

New BCHL Boss Wants League To Thrive & Grow

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon

Pete McIntyre

August 01, 2018 

The new commissioner of the BC Hockey League is visiting all 17 franchises, and his latest stop was in Vernon.

Chris Hebb has taken over from 15 year leader John Grisdale.

Hebb says he wants to learn more about the markets, and the business side of the league.

“We all see the hockey, and the fact is, the hockey isn’t a problem. It’s a great product on the ice, but we just have to do better on the marketing side and make this a real solvent league.”

Hebb is a White Rock resident, who previously was a broadcaster, and an executive with the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

“We’re in 17 communities. We’ve expanded into the United States,  and I would like to see the franchises become very successful and perhaps grow the league,” Hebb said in an interview with Beach Radio’s Graham Turnbull.

Hebb says 32 percent of NHL players today come through college hockey, which he says is partly due to leagues like the BCHL.

Hebb says the Vernon Vipers are one of the league’s top franchises for a reason.

“First of all, I heard lots of stories about Duncan Wray (long time team owner who passed away in January). This is an owner that was exemplary in this league, and the kind of owner we want. Passionate, cared about hockey and cared about the community,” says Hebb.

Hebb summed up his interview by saying BCHL franchises are all currently surviving — but he wants to see them thrive.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have heard the Vipers have been sold

George said...

I have also heard the vipers have been sold.

The Chipman said...

I heard that also but the deal was nixed by the Vipers at the last minute. Is this a second buyer?

The Chipman said...

Totally off topic but have you considered taking over the Vipers web page. Nothing is ever updated... stories and photos are from 2 and 3 yrs ago..its a joke. Maybe new ownership will contact you I can only hope thx

vipersdiehardfan said...

I have heard several rumors of the Vipers up for sale as well as being sold. I was first contacted by a very reliable source just a few days into July. I was told two separate deals-groups were very interested in buying the Vipers and were going to both be making offers. Earlier this week I was told by a long time season ticket holder who was told the team was sold but no official announcement would be made until September once the deal was fully completed. I was then contacted Saturday by another long time season ticket holder who was told the team has been sold to a group of local business men and wont be announced until September.

Regarding your comments about running the Vipers website. I use to run the Vipers website from 2011-2015 before the league stepped in and wanted all teams to have the same company-business run their websites. I was contacted by the Vipers in 2011 and asked to run the website. I ran the website but with very little control of the website. My job was to update staff photo's, profiles, team photo's, league news or Viper news. Any news or information I didn't know about was emailed to me to add to the website with a date when it was to be added. I was not in charge of adding trades, roster moves etc on the website. All trades, roster moves etc was done by the Vipers management.

Anonymous said...

Ownership of the Vernon Vipers? Perhaps KAL TIRE might consider it's envolvement in the ownership of the vipers or maybe co partner with others in a purchase. Then again there are numerous former NHL'ERS with a history as former players in our league that might consider a purchase. The price tag certainly is not out of rich with these former hockey players. Also the contacts they have would be helpful to our vernon vipers. Well I guess time will tell RUMOUR OR FACT.

Anonymous said...

I heard Troy Mick is buying them and moving them to Texas

vipersdiehardfan said...

I heard this morning the Vipers have been sold to a Calgary businessman. The deal isn't finalised yet due to some minor issues, but will be completed. its a done deal.

Anonymous said...

Interesting ,a out of town buyer opposed to someone who lives here, but if you stop and think about it Duncan Wray lived in Victoria and still was an owner. So anyway will see how it goes and I'm sure Duncan Wrays wife wouldn't just sell it to anyone and that will be in good hands with the new owner.

Anonymous said...

Lets hope if all is true that Ferner keeps his job and that he still has control of the hockey team .