Image Credit: Kamloops Storm / Chad Hellingman

By Michael Reeve

KAMLOOPS STORM

Matt Kolle, longtime part-owner of Kamloops Storm, takes over sole ownership

Apr 8, 2024 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Last week, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League announced that the North Okanagan Knights had been sold and will be relocated to Quesnel, where they will become the Quesnel River Rush. The team will be owned and operated by Tracy Mero, formerly the principal owner of the Kamloops Storm.

The Kamloops Storm are staying put in the Tournament Capital, with Matt Kolle stepping up as sole owner of the Tier 2, Junior ‘A’ franchise.

“We (Mero and Kolle) have had sole ownership for six years. I have probably performed 99 per cent of the tasks, so I have a clear idea of what it takes to run this hockey club and whether this club will be sustainable or not. And obviously I am quite content with what I see,” said Kolle.

Kolle already served as part-owner and general manager of the Storm and felt the time was right for him to take over full control of the team.

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“We have a great model that we are running right now. We are happy with it — it is sustainable,” said Kolle. “If you start to look at it, our record… but what are we, like 100 wins and 32 losses in the past three seasons? I think what we are doing is working. Our attendance has probably tripled since we bought the team, so everything we are doing seems to be going the right direction. I’m happy to take this on knowing that we are going the right direction.”

The Kamloops Storm have been the model of consistency over the past few seasons, but sadly that consistency includes postseason heartbreak.

With two teams relocating and the addition of Merritt for next season, Kolle is excited about the direction of the league.

“It strengthens our bid in becoming the new junior ‘A’ Tier 1 league. We are adding hockey communities, we are getting stronger. The [league], we are trending upwards in a big way,” said Kolle.