Ray Fortier didn't want to see the Prince George Cougars move to another city. So, when he had the opportunity to buy part of the franchise, he jumped into the business venture with both feet.
Fortier has lived in Prince George for 32 years and ever since he established his first business in the city he has always backed minor hockey programs. Now, as a part owner of the city's most prominent hockey team, he has faith Cougar fans will return in numbers that will make the franchise viable again.
"There was talk of moving the team, I don't know if the WHL would have let them move, but we didn't want to get to that stage and we made a decision to get involved," said Fortier, 68, a native of McLennan, Alta.
"I think Prince George is a good hockey town. I've been here [at CN Centre] when the place was full and once people realize we're serious and will get the best people available, I'm sure we'll get this place filled again. You need a winning team. You have to make the playoffs and whatever it takes we'll get there."
Fortier started Farr Fabricating in 1974, a steel fabricating shop, and in 1979 opened Farr Installations, which services the city's pulp mills. He branched out to general contracting in 1980 when he began Western Industrial Contracting, otherwise known as WIC Construction, which also has offices in Castlegar and Kelowna.
"Prince George has been good to me and I want to put something back and that's the reason I got involved," said Fortier.
John Pateman has been Fortier's partner at WIC for 35 years. Originally from Kamloops, he's a chartered accountant who also owns Brownridge & Company Insurance Services. As well, he has real estate holdings in the Okanagan. Pateman says the new ownership group plans to utilize its extensive network of business ties to get people back on the Cougars bandwagon and he's confident the sale of the team will have a profound effect.
"I think it changes it huge," said the 60-year-old Pateman. "We know so many people in this town and at this event today. I've run into 25 people I haven't seen for years. We had a suite here and it was a great social thing where people wanted to come to see their friends. It becomes a social event and that's what we're excited about."
Pateman played bantam and midget hockey with former Cougars head coach Ed Dempsey and current Kamloops Blazers head coach Don Hay before going on to college hockey at Cariboo College in Kamloops. Pateman's son, Ward, is a WHL linesman based in Kelowna.
"He's hoping to be a ref in the 'Dub and he did make a call to the director of officiating that maybe he shouldn't be working a game with the Cougars, just in case he makes a bad call," Pateman said.
Following is a snapshot look at the members of the Cougar ownership group:
Greg Pocock
Pocock, 53, is the managing partner of the Cougars and team president. He's the owner of Prince George Hydro Mechanical Ltd., an industrial cleaning operation that specializes in pulp mill servicing. He's also a part owner of Forest Power Sports, which sells recreational vehicles. He also has holdings in companies involved in manufacturing, aviation and real estate development. Born in Calgary, Pocock also lived in Dawson Creek and attended school in Prince George at Highland elementary, Lakewood junior secondary and PGSS. Pocock and his companies also have a long history of sponsoring local hockey teams. His Prince George Hydromechanical company also sponsored construction of the Rotaract waterspray park at Fort George Park and the Southridge community hockey rink.
Ernest Ouellet
Ouellet, 50, a native of Prince George, is involved in the oil and logging industries as a manufacturer of mats and portable wooden platforms used to build temporary roads to facilitate moving of oil rigs and heavy equipment. He and his wife Shawn own Universal Mats and he is part-owner of Fort Nelson-based Northern Environmental Mats. Ouellet also owns a nightclub and liquor store in Fort Nelson. Ouellet and his brothers were known for their interest in stock car racing at PGARA Speedway in the 1990s and early 2000s. His son Braydon used to work for the Cougars as the team's account executive and marketing co-ordinator.
"I haven't been to this arena when it's full and I'm quite excited to be involved," said Ouellet. "The group that's been put together is perfect. It's a winning group."
Dan Hamhuis
A 10-year NHL veteran now with the Vancouver Canucks, Hamhuis, 31, played for the Cougars from 1998-2002. The native of Smithers was chosen in the first round of the 2001 draft, 12th overall by the Nashville Predators, and in 2002 was named top defenceman and player of the year in the WHL. He won silver and bronze at the world junior championship and in February helped Canada win Olympic gold in Sochi.
Eric Brewer
Brewer, 35, just completed his 17th season in the NHL. Now heading into his seventh season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brewer was drafted fifth overall by the New York Islanders in 1997. He's also played defence for the Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues. Brewer was born in Vernon and also lived in Ashcroft and Kamloops before he joined the Cougars in 1995 to begin a three-season stint in the WHL. Brewer won gold playing for Canada in the 2002 Olympics.
