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For the 1967-68 season the Vernon franchise, changed its name to the Vernon Essos. They would remain the Vernon Essos through till the end of the 1972-73 season.

Vernon Minor Hockey Association

Vernon Minor Hockey would change the name of the club from Blades to Esso's for the start of the '67 - '68 season.

The Esso's were named after the title sponsor, Ernies Esso Station, which was located at 3200 32nd Street in Vernon. The team was commonly called "Ernies Esso's" in conversations around town,

The same group of men that were the Executive of the Blades continued their role for the new Essos [Vern Dye, Dave McKay, Hal Gordon, Ernie Kowal, Bill Roth, Roly Samartino, N. Schuck, R. Fish, A. Melbourne, J. Gradner, B. Willows (and Group)?]. Bill Roth was President and Vern Dye remained as Manager and the Coach was Odie Lowe(1967-70) R.S. 128GP-70W-44L-14T -- P.O. 13GP-4W-9L.

If you have anything to add please, feel free to email me at ( admin "at" vernonjrahockey "dot" ca )

Ownership Group

In 1970 Vernon Minor Hockey sold the club for five thousand dollars to the same group of local business men that had been managing the club for them, Vern Dye, Dave McKay, Hal Gordon, Ernie Kowal, Bill Roth, Roly Samartino, N. Schuck, R. Fish, A. Melbourne, J. Gradner, B. Willows, G. Wenman, L. York, D. Heichert ?

That group of business men included Ernie Kowal, Vern Dye and Dave McKay. Dave McKay would lead this group in running the day to day operations. Vern Dye would become the Manager and Odie Lowe would be the Coach.

Other notable Owners/Executive running the teams were Roly Samartino(Trainer), Hal Gordon, N. Schuck*, R. Fish*, A. Melbourne*, J. Gradner* and B. Willows*, G. Wenman*, L. York*, D. Heichert*. ? *-If you can provide full names and their roles please, contact me.

Odie lead the Vernon Essos to playoff success in 1970 when they won the franchises first league pennant and league championship. They would repeat that feat again in 1972 for their second league championship.

Odie Lowe would coach the team till the 1972-73 season compiling a record of, R.S. 181GP-103W-70L-8T -- P.O. 28GP-12W-18L ending his Coaching career with the franchise at R.S. 379GP-192W-164L-23T -- P.O. 60GP-21W-39L.

The ownership group eventually sells the team to make Vern Dye sole owner*.(*-assumption still need proof)

If you have anything to add please, feel free to email me at ( admin "at" vernonjrahockey "dot" ca )

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In its 5 years (1967-68 to 1972-73), as the Vernon Essos, the franchise has achieved the following highlights:

• 2 - League Pennants
• 1970 1972
• 2 - Nat Bailey Cups - League Championships
• 1970 1972
• 2 - Mowat Cups - BC Championship (Automatic Winners)
• 1970 1972
• British Columbia vs Alberta Championship
• Runners-up: 1972
• Abbott Cup Inter-Provincial Playdowns
• Runners-up: 1970

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