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'I failed': Warriors owner speaks amid turmoil surrounding organization

The owner of the troubled West Kelowna Warriors has admitted he made a mistake when he fired interim head coach Geoff Grimwood. Grimwood has since been reinstated.

<who> Photo Credit: KelownaNow

Kim Dobranski made the admission at a news conference outside Royal Lepage Place Thursday morning.

"Where I failed to consider was what was the best for the players," said Dobranski.

"I failed both as a partner in this league and as an owner of this organization to consider the emotional turmoil this could cause for these young men."

<who> Photo Credit: KelownaNow

Dobranski's remarks come after a tumultuous week that saw his players skate off the ice in protest and the BCHL step-in to direct the operations of the hockey club. Dobranski, who just took over as owner this summer, went as far as to praise the players for their unified act of defiance.

"I discovered that we have something incredibly special here. We have a group of young men that are incredibly tight, bonded like I have never seen before, and have stood together willing to face whatever consequences this may have caused."

After his reinstatement as Head Coach and General Manager was made official, Grimwood took to the podium where he said his focus is on what happens on the ice.

"We've got 23 very committed players that are committed to being West Kelowna Warriors and my goal is to go forward giving them the best opportunity to have a real successful season," said Grimwood.

Long-term head coach Rylan Ferster resigned his position shortly after Dobranski took ownership of the team. The players left the ice Tuesday in protest over Grimwood's firing and refused to practice on Wednesday.

The team is currently operating under the direction of the BCHL.



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