Ernie Kowal

Died December 12, 1997

Ernie Kowal was active in Junior A and minor hockey in Vernon since moving to the city in 1958.

'Esso Ernie' served as a coach, manager, vice-president and president in the Vernon Minor Hockey Association and was an owner with the Vernon Essos of the B.C. Junior Hockey League.

A volunteer firefighter and former member of the RCMP Auxiliary force, Ernie died December 12, 1997 at the age of 63. He is survived by his wife Viv, son Tom (now an NHL referee) and daughter Sue.

Ernie and his brother-in-law, Vern Dye, ran the Junior A franchise in Vernon for more than 20 years and the two men used their own vehicles to transport players on road trips.

Ernie coached the juvenile Reps in 1983 and made national headlines with a no swearing policy on the team. He was named provincial coach-of-the-year in 1985 after he and Tom led the Vernon Atom Reps to the Okanagan title.

The Vernon Minor Hockey Associations 'ERNIE KOWAL TROPHY' - COACH'S AWARD is named in his honour.

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