Fans say goodbye

Friends, family and fans bid an emotional farewell Saturday to Vernon Vipers team owner Duncan Wray.

Wray passed away unexpectedly last Thursday, his 68th birthday.

In honour of the respected team owner, all of the Vipers took the ice with the name Wray on the back of their jerseys, to the appreciation of the crowd.

Todd Miller, Vipers executive vice president, gave a heartfelt speech at Kal Tire Place before the home team faced off against the visiting Cowichan Valley Capitals.

Wray owned the team for the past 25 years, guiding them to six BC Hockey League titles and four national titles.

Wray showed obvious pride whenever player received a hockey scholarship or moved on to the Big Leagues with several players under his time as owner making the NHL.

John Grisdale, BCHL commissioner, said Wray was well respected among his peers and will be a hard man to replace.

“I would reach out to him for advice and direction to see what he thought,” said Grisdale, adding Wray was not just a team owner, he was a fan of the sport and the league.

Grisdale said Wray's passing is a “huge loss” to the league.