Rich Murphy, the new owner of the Peninsula Panthers of the Vancouver Island Junior
Hockey League and the owner of the Trail Smoke Eaters in the B.C. Hockey League, has
been elected Chair of the BCHL Board of Governors at its Annual General Meeting.
“I am honoured that the Board of Governors has elected me as the new Chair of the BCHL,”
says Murphy, who purchased the Smoke Eaters along with his wife Annie in 2016. “This is
an incredible honour, not only for me, but for Trail – the smallest market in the league, but
one that has had a profound and historical impact on Canadian hockey. I share the honour
and joy of holding this important position with my team and with our community.”
Murphy replaces Penticton Vees owner Graham Fraser, who served as Chair for the past
six years.
“Graham Fraser has done an excellent job and laid an incredible foundation for me and for
our league. I look forward to doing my part in modernizing hockey within the BCHL and
witnessing the positive changes happening in the ever-evolving world of junior hockey.”
BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker says “We are excited about the election of Rich
Murphy as the new Chair. We are looking forward to picking up where we left off and
continuing the growth of the BCHL for years to come.”
Murphy is also on the VIJHL Executive, and his daughter, Madelyn Murphy-Homer is the
Director of Business Operations for the Panthers.