Vees hire former BCHL rival’s president for senior role

The two teams are no longer in the same league, but the Penticton Vees continue to be a thorn in the West Kelowna Warriors’ side.

Just two hours after the Warriors announced the sudden departure of Chris Laurie as team president, the Vees revealed that they have hired the West Kelowna native as the club’s new senior vice president.

“I’m very excited to have Chris join our organization as we move to the WHL,” said Graham Fraser, majority owner of the Vees. “He brings a wealth of experience and knows our community. He was highly recommended by the Warriors’ ownership group.”

Laurie will oversee business operations for the Vees as they prepare for their inaugural season in the WHL.

He’ll arrive in Penticton after six years in West Kelowna, hired in 2019 by a new ownership group after a brief tumultuous stretch for the Warriors under former owner Kim Dobranski.

"I am thrilled to join the Vees organization as we embark on a new journey in the WHL,” noted Laurie. “I think fans are going to be very pleased with the caliber of hockey and entertainment value.”

During his tenure with the Warriors, Laurie helped boost the club’s attendance significantly and was named the BCHL Marketer of the Year in 2022.

“We have a strong history and tradition to uphold in Penticton, and we are looking forward to the challenge,” he added. “The bar has been raised, and we'll be working hard to raise the standard in preparation for opening night.”

Prior to his time with the Warriors, Laurie worked with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat and was the GM of the NAHL’s Amarillo Bulls.

The Bulls were named NAHL Organization of the Year and won the NAHL Robertson Cup during Laurie’s time in Texas.