The owners of the Trail Smoke Eaters added another junior hockey team to their line up with the purchase of the Peninsula Panthers of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.
The deal came into effect April 1, 2024, when Rich and Annie Murphy of Murphy Canadian Capital Investments took majority ownership of the North Saanich based team and son Ryan and daughter Madelyn Murphy-Homer minority ownership.
“We decided to buy a junior hockey team in 2016 (in Trail) because we are passionate about developing these players, not only helping them grow as athletes, but as young men and members of their community as well,” said Richard.
“I am looking forward to working with our coaching staff to ensure we are providing these young men the best hockey program they can get in the VIJHL, one that will support them as leaders on and off the ice.”
Pete and Coreen Zubersky have owned the Panthers since 1999, and will stay on for the remainder of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
“We have been seeking the right person or group for the last year or two and wanted a perfect fit,” said Pete. “The Panthers are very dear to our hearts and to the collective heart of the community on the Peninsula.
“We are thrilled to have found the perfect fit with the Murphy family.”
The Murphys will retain current head coach and GM Tyler Stanton who finished the season in fifth place in the five-team South Division with a 23-23-1-1 record.
“Tyler is an enthusiastic young coach with a passion for working with these young men,” said Rich Murphy. “I look forward to working with him and seeing all this team can accomplish in the seasons to come.”
The VIJHL announced its independence from Hockey Canada and BC Hockey on April 29, making the league fertile territory for the independent BCHL teams to recruit and affiliate players.
“The VIJHL will have an affiliation agreement with the BCHL by the start of the 2024-25 season,” Murphy told the Times. “The Trail Smoke Eaters, as well as all teams in the BCHL, will be able to use the VIJHL players in AP situations.
“Further, the Trail Smoke Eaters will use the Panthers team as a feeder team, not only to the Trail Smoke Eaters but to the BCHL in general.”
The VIJHL will attract younger players age 15-18 in hopes of developing them to play in the BCHL in the future, added Murphy.
He also clarified that there would be no conflict of interest when it comes to recruiting and affiliating VIJHL players (AP).
“The purpose of the affiliation agreement allows VIJHL players to AP with any team, the days of the assigned AP player is gone for now. If a player eventually makes a BCHL team that is awesome and that’s what the ownership is looking for.”
Madelyn will oversee the business side of the Panthers as Director of Business Operations. She has ample experience through her work with the Smoke Eaters, including involvement in the team’s merchandising, annual budgets, special events, and skill development program.
“I am incredibly excited to step into this role with the Peninsula Panthers,” Madelyn said. “Wherever there is a junior hockey team, there is usually a wonderful community that the team gets to call home.
“I am passionate about ensuring that we not only provide our athletes with a quality hockey development program, but also that we deliver to the community fun, family friendly game nights with the best hockey on the Island.”
Since the Murphys took over the Smoke Eaters, the business has greatly expanded, with the Murphys investing in significant facility updates to the arena, locker rooms, and weight training facility, as well as hiring on a full-time staff of passionate, skilled employees.
The Times asked if North Saanich can expect the same?
“The answer to that question is an absolute YES!” said Murphy. “We still have so much work to do in Trail as we are not even close to where we want to be as an organization. We need to attract more fans, we need to win more games, and we still need to win a championship, so our work is not done here in Trail.
“North Saanich and the community will get the same dedication we have given to the Trail community,” he continued. “We are dedicated to the development of the athletes, the community and to any staff we have at the Panthers.
“We are extremely excited to get started and show the community of North Saanich who we are and what we can accomplish.”
As in Trail, North Saanich can expect to see the new owners at the Panthers’ Panorama Arena at different games throughout the 2024-2025 season.
“My family is so excited to carry on Pete and Coreen’s hard work,” added Madelyn. “We can’t wait to bring our own expertise and passion for hockey to the Peninsula Panthers.”
• In addition to her role as the Director of Business Operations, Madelyn serves as the Director for the Murphy Family Foundation, a Minnesota based foundation focused on supporting organizations dedicated to youth development.
All four Murphys sit on the board, and the foundation has a track record of supporting youth organizations in the communities where the Murphy’s businesses operate.
READ: Murphy Foundation commits $1.1 million for Kids Rink upgrades and programs