New commish in for long haul
Chris Hebb brings big-city experience back to B.C. as John Grisdale’s successor
Much like his predecessor, Chris Hebb anticipates being around for a significant length of time as commissioner of the B.C. Hockey League.
In his first week on the job, Hebb was already on the road making his rounds of all 17 teams in the league, with Penticton one of the first stops on the tour.
“I am hoping to be (commissioner) for at least the next five to 10 years,” the 61-year-old White Rock resident said in an interview with the Herald last week. “I don’t see it as a short-term project. I want to be able to complete the job I’ve set out to do.”
Hebb, a former senior executive with two of the biggest sports and entertainment companies in Canada — Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment (OBSE) in Vancouver and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) in Toronto — replaces John Grisdale, who stepped down after 15 years on the job.
Hebb said he wants to be able to see all the BCHL facilities, meet the people and understand the challenges each franchise and market has. He was suitably impressed with the Vees set-up at the 10-year-old South Okanagan Events Centre.
“The people of Penticton are fortunate to have such a great building,” said Hebb, who was born and raised in Prince Rupert, B.C. “There is a fantastic hockey tradition here and this is a very special facility by any level or standards. There is a real commitment to excellence with the building and the franchise.”
Hebb already has one close ally with the Vees, as team owner Graham Fraser is the new chairman of the board of governors.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with Graham and we speak most mornings,” said Hebb. “I’ve already touched base on the phone with most of the other owners. It’s exciting to get things rolling.”
Hebb said he brings a completely different skill set to the job than Grisdale, who played in the National Hockey League with Toronto and Vancouver.
Hebb was a terrific athlete, but he never played hockey.
“I would have loved to have played hockey but we didn’t have a rink in Rupert until I was in Grade 9,” said Hebb.
By that time Hebb was already a prolific basketball player who would ultimately go on to win a national championship in 1980 with the University of Victoria Vikings. “No rink, but we had a lot of gyms,” he said. He said the BCHL needs to build up the business side, and that’s where his expertise is and where he can add value.
Hebb said he is looking at the possibility of having games televised and securing corporate partnerships.
“The corporate community will support this league,” said Hebb. “We’re as grassroots and hometown Canadian as you can get. What we have is beyond strictly commercial.”
Living in nearby White Rock, Hebb got to know the ownership groups of the Surrey Eagles and he followed the team in their heydays of the late-90s when star players such as Scott Gomez helped them win several league championships and an RBC Cup.
“(But) I don’t think I was aware or cognizant of the size, the importance, the magnitude and the impact this league has across North America,” said Hebb.
“I’ve been involved in pro sports most of my working life, but I did play at the amateur level and this was a big attraction for me with the BCHL. It’s exciting to be able to help develop elite young athletes and give something back to amateur sports.”
Hebb said the league has flourished for 56 years and he wants to continue to be able to help it grow on and off the ice.
“I’d like to see 17 healthy, successful franchises with strong community support,” said Hebb. “We want to be the best Junior-A league in North America. One could argue we’re already there, but we don’t want there to be any doubt.”
Hebb said he is delighted to be back in B.C. after spending so many years in Toronto.
More recently, he was president of Starting Five Media Consulting Ltd., a company advising sports organizations on business strategy and development. Clients there included Canada Soccer, Oilers Entertainment Group, USports, Vancouver Whitecaps, Hockey Canada, Curling Canada and BC Lotteries Corporation.
“I’m a small-town B.C. kid and this is really a dream job for me,” said Hebb. “I love to be able to go into the different markets and try to have a positive impact and help anyway we can.”