(image credit - KIJHL)

By Michael Reeve

A FRESH START FOR MERRITT

‘Continue that tradition’; New Centennials ownership excited to keep junior hockey in Merritt

Apr 4, 2024 | 6:30 PM

MERRITT B.C. — ‘Bittersweet’ is a word closely affiliated with the Merritt Centennials folding after 51 years, but as one door closes, another opens as Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) action will be played in the Nicola Valley this fall.

“I believe we are going to strive for other KIJHL teams to want to be like us,” said new Centennials owner Brad Anstey. “We are going to provide that leadership. Not that it’s not there — there are some great organizations in the KI. We have some big shoes to fill and overtake if we want to known as one of the best places for players to want to come and continue their development.”

While his team has no true connection to the old franchise, he isn’t going to forget what made hockey in Merritt successful for half a century.

“We feel that it’s very important to continue with that tradition, with that name. However, there could be changes in the logo or the design or the colour scheme. We want to rebrand ourselves as being different but yet also being able to carry forward that rich history that exists,” Anstey told CFJC News.

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While there was talk of Merritt needing a new arena to keep their BCHL team, the old NVMA fits perfectly for a KI franchise.

“We can put on some great entertainment, put a great product on the ice, something that fans can enjoy, they can rally behind, something they can be proud of to put on our memorabilia, and say that they are a Centennial,” said Anstey. “That is the kind of feeling to have when they come to the arena. And I think that barn is going to be fantastic for what our plans are.”

One of the new wrinkles in moving to a KI team is immediate rivalries formed, with teams in Princeton, Chase and Kamloops set to play the new look Cents.

“Very excited,” said Kamloops Storm Owner and GM Matt Kolle of the new rivalries. “You know what, Merritt fits the mold of a KIJHL team perfectly, small town, grassroots, I imagine it’s going to be a great rivalry.”

“We want to become the heartbeat of Merritt,” said Anstey. “And when you become the heartbeat of Merritt, you have that passion in your fans. They are going to want to jump in their cars and drive to Kamloops, to Chase, down to Princeton. And I think that’s the goal, is to give them something they can be a part of.”

We will have to wait a little bit longer to find out the KI schedule, and when the first Coquihalla clash will go down between Merritt and Kamloops this fall.