Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

KIJHL

Kamloops Storm new ownership and management embracing challenges in their first season

Jan 28, 2020 | 5:21 PM

KAMLOOPS —While 2019-2020 hasn’t been a dream season for the Kamloops Storm, the club is hoping a solid finish to the regular season, and deep playoff run will help them solidify their place in the community, all while looking ahead to a summer of growth.

On Sunday night at Memorial Arena, the Storm beat the Sicamous Eagles 6-2. It was a dominant performance from a team that has shown a bit of inconsistency throughout the first 40 games of the season. Despite that inconsistency, the team’s GM believes the on-ice product of the group is looking up.

“I think we’re a fun team to watch,” Matt Kolle said. “We’ve made the moves on the ice to make it even better.”

Off the ice, Kolle sees plenty of positives as he thinks about his first year at the helm of the KIJHL club. He says less than one year in, he has a good feel for the work that needs to be done to make the Storm sustainable.

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“A hockey team costs money to run. Where does the money come from? It comes from attendance, it comes from participant fees, and it comes from sponsorship,” Kolle explained.

The team moved to Memorial Arena before the 2016-2017 season, but that move proved unpopular with some of the team’s fans.

In a 2018 Kamloops This Week article, former owner Barry Dewar stated the team was averaging between 100 and 200 paying fans per home game.

Judging by Sunday night’s attendance, it’s a challenge that still needs to be addressed. Despite low fan turnout, Kolle feels the old barn on Victoria Street is the best place in the city for his players.

“Our dressing room is second to none. Having Acceleration Fitness next door. As far as offering a first-class program to our players, this is the place to be.”

However, when it comes to bringing in fans and attracting sponsors, the Storm General Manager says he and team ownership will look at all the options once this season is over.

“Downtown right now feels like it’s a bit of a struggle. You look at the other opportunities, being McArthur Island. It’s something we do need to think about. We’ll see.”