Tributes have been pouring in for Duncan Wray.
The beloved owner of the Vernon Vipers died suddenly on Thursday, his 68th birthday, at his Vancouver Island home near Victoria.
B次元官网网址淲e were shocked and saddened to receive word today about Duncan,B次元官网网址� said B.C. Hockey League commissioner John Grisdale. B次元官网网址淗e was the lifeblood of the Vipers franchise for a very long time and he leaves a huge void in our league and in our hearts.B次元官网网址�
Wray bought the then Vernon Lakers in 1992, and changed the team name to Vipers in 1996. Under WrayB次元官网网址檚 ownership, the Vipers were four-time national Junior A champions, including back-to-back in 2009 and 2010. In addition, the Vipers claimed six Fred Page Cup BCHL titles and five Doyle Cup wins over the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
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Each BCHL team will hold a moment of silence in his honour prior to their next home game. The Vipers, who entertain the Cowichan Valley Capitals Saturday at 6 p.m. at Kal Tire Place, have not announced, as of Friday, if they will do something else to honour Wray.
Condolences and tributes to the Vipers and social media outlets have been steady, from former players:
B次元官网网址淒unc was so much more than just an owner. The way he treated the players and people around him was like no other. He made Vernon one of the best places to play in all of junior hockey. IB次元官网网址檓 incredibly grateful I was able to spend 3 great years with him and to win 2 championships with him behind us was so special. The team would not have been the same without him. IB次元官网网址檒l always have the picture of him in my mind, standing behind the glass in the corner of the rink cheering us on. Thanks for everything and rest easy.B次元官网网址� - Kellen Jones
B次元官网网址淭his is truly sad sad news. Duncan was the best owner I ever played for and has created truly what I believe to be the best place to play Jr A hockey in Canada. He will be greatly missed but what a legacy he has left behind. God bless.B次元官网网址� - Chris Budnick
Former reporters:
B次元官网网址淎 great team owner, hockey fan, dentist and level-headed hockey parent. I knew him as all four, and itB次元官网网址檚 the last quality that might be the rarest.B次元官网网址� - Dan Ebenal
NHL scouts:
B次元官网网址淎 huge loss for Jr hockey and Vernon. He built a model hockey organization which reflected his genuine belief in people and family.B次元官网网址� - Ernie Gare
And fans:
B次元官网网址淭his man can never be replaced. Condolences to the Wray family. Vernon lost one of their best.B次元官网网址� - Cody Vigeant;
B次元官网网址淲hat a tragic loss. We will miss talking and joking with him before Viper games. Fran and I send our deepest condolences to the Wray Family and the Vipers organization past and present. R.I.P Duncan.B次元官网网址� - Dennis Sponholz
In 2011, Wray was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame and last July, the 1999 RBC Cup-winning Vipers team was inducted as well. Wray was also recognized in 2011 with a Freedom of the City award from the City of Vernon.
Several Vipers alumni went on to NHL careers during WrayB次元官网网址檚 tenure including Mike Santorelli, Andrew Hammond, Aaron Volpatti, Tyson Strachan and Rod Pelley and soon-to-be Canadian Olympian Chay Genoway. Countless others went on to successful collegiate and professional careers in hockey.
Professionally, Wray was an accomplished and well-respected oral surgeon. On more than one occasion, he was pressed into service performing dental repairs on his own players.
WrayB次元官网网址檚 service to the BCHL was unmatched and he was chairman of the leagueB次元官网网址檚 board of directors right up to the time of his passing. He also served as chairman from 1999 to 2006 before resuming the role in 2011.
Funeral details have yet to be released.
The BCHL said every team will hold a moment of silence in memory of Wray prior to their home game, and also said it will be B次元官网网址渂usiness as usualB次元官网网址� for the Vipers through the end of the season in regards to the teamB次元官网网址檚 ownership.
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