What does it mean for Summerland to have its own hockey team? Who owns this team and what does that entail?
Gregg Wilson and Tim Keilty are the owners of the Summerland Steam.
“The reason my partner and I got into this team was to keep it in the community,” explained Wilson. “This was the third time Summerland had a team in this league and the league said if it doesn’t work this time, Summerland will never get a team again.”
The team is part of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
“You do not make money in junior hockey,” said Wilson. “This is not a money making venture. It is a community minded venture. Our goal is to break even so that this team will be in the community a long time.”
Wilson believes that in addition to providing Summerland residents with a sense of community pride, the team benefits the community economically. He said teams come here to play games and as a result stay here and eat here. Parents of team players visit here and upon returning home tell others about our great town.
When the owners bought the team they decided that the number one thing needed to have a strong organization was a good coach.
“We were lucky enough to know Mr. John DePourcq. He came on as our head coach,” said Wilson. “He is an awesome gentleman and the kids just love him.”
Wilson and DePourcq both played hockey for the Penticton Vees in their younger years.
“John and I want the kids to have as much fun playing hockey as we did. If you have fun you play well and will probably win.”
Times have changed and stricter rules have cleaned up the game of hockey when it comes to fighting and using sticks as weapons.
“We don’t tolerate it with our players,” Wilson said. “We have a player’s contract. The rules are in there. If they break the rules the consequences are in there. It’s cut and dried.”
Over the last few years Wilson feels they have learned a lot about how to pick a good team.
“We pick good people first, hockey players second,” he said.
Hockey is about learning life skills as much as it is about playing the game, Wilson explained. The players learn teamwork, respect, commitment and how to deal with the public. They are also kept very busy with school, jobs and volunteering with minor hockey. This is on top of the 111 practices and 69 games held each season.
The majority of players never make it to the National Hockey League, but the goal is to get to the next level and to gain scholarships.
“In our last two seasons we have moved nine players on to Junior A which is the next level,” said Wilson. “Two of our older players are going to play for the Selkirk College team. They might not make it to the NHL but they’re going to school and doing something they love.”
As team owners, Wilson said they are responsible for the players while they are here playing for the Steam.
“I’m kind of like the kids’ mother while they’re here. I take them to the doctor and the dentist,” he said. On occasion he has spent hours in the hospital emergency room with an injured player.
Wilson spends 50 to 80 hours per week on team business. This includes helping to wash 1,100 loads of laundry and sharpening 1,800 pairs of skates every season. He said the owners rely heavily on their volunteers to help out with the many tasks.
“Our list of volunteers is huge and we need more,” he said.
He also said they would be “dead in the water” if it was not for the billet families. “It’s a lot of work…they are special people.”
When it comes to fan support Wilson said it is getting better every year.
“This year our average was 191. We need about 250 per game to break even.”
If you want to show your support for the Summerland Steam by volunteering or buying a season’s ticket, which are on sale now at a discount rate, call Wilson at 250-462-0905.
If you know a positive story about someone in our community, contact Carla McLeod at carlamcleod@shaw.ca or contact the Summerland Review newsroom at 250-494-5406.