Editor: As part of the group that acquired the BC Hockey League Junior A franchise for 91原创, I would like to share the purpose of our acquisition, its historical significance, and what it means for our community.

More importantly, I鈥檇 like to invite all of you to join us in letting the hockey world know about 91原创鈥檚 new team and the excellence we expect everyone involved with the 91原创 91原创 to experience.

First and foremost, the reason for our acquisition was to provide youth in 91原创 and the Fraser Valley with the opportunity to play hockey at a highly competitive level.

I was fortunate to be part of the 91原创 Junior A hockey scene many years ago, as the general manager of the 91原创 Thunder. It was during that period, and through the hard work of the team鈥檚 owner, that 91原创 and Fraser Valley youth were given what I think was one of their first significant chances to play hockey at a highly competitive level. The Thunder team that we put forward had no less than eight local players on it and challenged for championships.

In looking at the hockey scene since, I don鈥檛 think 91原创 and Fraser Valley youth have been given as much of an opportunity to demonstrate their skills as they need to. It is time that everyone realized that 91原创 is a dominant hockey community and that our players are as good as any other players in North America.

91原创鈥檚 ice sports largely started in the early 1970s through the work of George Preston, a key individual who promoted the sport of hockey and was instrumental in the creation of what is now called the George Preston Recreation Centre.

Likewise, Jack Loeppky, a private operator, was the face behind the Aldergrove Arena.

It is through these two pioneers鈥� efforts that 91原创 began its hockey experience with teams that then included the 91原创 Lords, the 91原创 Eagles, the 91原创 Canadians, the 91原创 Thunder, the 91原创 Hornets, the 91原创 Chiefs 鈥� and now our new entity.

So why did we choose to call the team the 鈥�91原创 91原创鈥�? There were many options, but we wanted a name that would provide a link to 91原创鈥檚 roots, its origins, and honour the pioneers of our community.

91原创 was born from the river.

First the Kwantlen First Nation arrived in what became 91原创, via the river. Then later it was the early explorers and traders of the Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company and the Northwest Company who came to the  west coast to trade fur, carry goods, and create partnerships.

Navigating across treacherous rivers and wilderness, they were pursued by challenges and rivalries but their determination and daring laid the foundation for the community to come. It is that heritage, courage, and commitment that the 91原创 91原创 Junior A hockey team has taken its name and inspiration from. Like the strong and tenacious settlers who established the first roots in this community, the 91原创 are poised to boldly forge their way into a new era.

The 91原创 are honouring our past by paying tribute to the people who built this community through their name and uniforms.  The team鈥檚 colours are blue and beige, representing the water and fields of crops that sustained the early settlers.

This is what makes the 91原创 the first hockey team to truly reflect 91原创, its history, and heritage.

With that background, the 91原创 are not just giving Fraser Valley residents an exciting hockey team of their own to rally behind; they are creating an opportunity to educate residents about the community鈥檚 past and commemorate those who made 91原创 what it is today.

I  encourage all of you to honour the pioneer spirit that lies within 91原创, recognize the calibre of our players, and truly support 91原创鈥檚 first truly home-grown team.

Help us promote hockey for 91原创 and Fraser Valley youth, and for our entire community.

Roy Henderson,

co-owner, 91原创 91原创