Bruce and Curtis Hamilton relishing opportunity to work together

By Will MacLaren

Working with family can have its positives and negatives. Bruce and Curtis Hamilton are both quick to point that fact out. However, when done amid the backdrop of one of junior hockey’s most successful franchises, and with the excitement of a Memorial Cup on the horizon, every day for the father-son duo behind the Kelowna Rockets becomes not only a little more exciting but more satisfying as well.

“I’m fortunate enough to work with my dad every day,” says Curtis, the club’s General Manager. “I love coming to work and doing this job here. There’s not a day goes by when you’re not reminded of the Memorial Cup, which keeps us motivated. We know expectations are higher.”

The Rockets have set the benchmark for WHL clubs during the 21st century. Next May will be the club’s sixth appearance at the Memorial Cup since making their tournament debut in 2003. This includes five appearances as WHL champions, berths in the tournament final in 2009 and 2015 and a national title as the host club in 2004.

Bruce Hamilton has been there for the entire ride. The 68-year-old founded the franchise in 1991, relocating it from Tacoma to Kelowna four years later. He’s seen a lot over the years, including the seemingly meteoritic rise the Memorial Cup has taken since the Rockets last hosted.

“I look back at that event, and it’s kind of selfish, but we changed how Memorial Cups were hosted,” Bruce recalls. “We made it a real event around the entire community. You’ve seen the tournament evolve as a result and I think you’re going to see this year’s tournament not being just about the 6000 fans that are able to get into the building. It’s going to allow all the citizens in this area to be able to be part of the Memorial Cup.”

Besides the obvious pressures all host clubs deal with, Kelowna enters this year with additional factors creating what has been a challenging situation. First, there was the 2020 tournament the Rockets were supposed to host. That event was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing ramifications set the club back significantly in what was already going to be a daunting rebuild. Last season, with key injuries and trades designed to place maximum focus on the current campaign underscoring its methodology, the club finished last in the Western Conference. Despite these tribulations, the guiding principles of the club remain clearly in focus.

“We as an organization, led by Bruce, always have the expectation that we should always be in this tournament,” Curtis points out. “It’s not just about being competitive. It’s easy to say things but when he says it, he means it. Nothing motivates him more than winning. Having that at the top of our organization motivates everyone else to push that way.”

Bruce Hamilton is quick to show appreciation for his son’s progression within the organization. But he also has a message to reinforce.

“He’s been excellent in that he’s gone out and learned the business,” he explains. “He’s been out in the field scouting and learning that side of things first. He’s done a good job of that. He’s very integral in the building of the team and now he’s moving more into the business side of the organization. He’s a huge asset and he’s got a really good eye for talent and knows what we need to add to our team to make it Memorial Cup worthy.”

“Still, my mindset isn’t we’re not in it just to be in in, we’re in it to win it,” he concludes.

Putting aside any potential roster moves down the road, a few key factors should help propel the Rockets up the standings this year. One is the hiring of Don Hay, the winner of four Memorial Cup titles during his time in Kamloops and Vancouver, as Head Coach. He’s joined behind the bench by 2004 champ and longtime NHLer Josh Georges, making his CHL coaching debut. As well, Utah Mammoth 2024 first rounder Tij Iginla has returned from a long-term hip injury that wiped out the latter two thirds of his season last year.

Off the ice, the city of Kelowna has partnered with the organization to bring a top-notch event to the community and the junior hockey world at large. This includes $6 million dollars in arena upgrades that reflects Bruce Hamilton’s desire to outdistance the competition.

“We couldn’t do this without the support of the city,” Bruce emphasizes. “They’ve really helped with fan engagement and we’re really fortunate that they’re our partners in this. Their resources provide an opportunity to make this a bigger and better event.”

With a living history of junior hockey success at his fingertips, Hamilton the younger needs no additional motivation to bring a second CHL Championship to Kelowna. “I’ve never been a part of a team that’s gone through something like this and won,” Curtis explains. “I want that experience and I just need to lean on everyone who has been through it and keep pushing us in that direction. That’s the ultimate goal. I love hockey and I love being a part of it. Being a part of a winning team, even if you don’t have skates on, means a lot.”

As for Bruce Hamilton, the combination of experience and passion is clear in every word. It’s not hard to understand why so many point to this year’s host club as a model of the modern junior franchise.

“I love the challenge of what we’re doing,” the elder Hamilton stresses. “I still enjoy coming in every day and I love the competition. That’s why I’m still hanging around. When it’s not fun anymore, that’s when I’ll move on.”

One thing’s for sure; he’s not going anywhere until the Memorial Cup is handed out at his house next Spring.