It's one of Penticton's biggest success stories -- if not THE success story of the Okanagan city. One man had the vision and steadfastness needed to bring it into being, Penticton's Larry Lund. After years of intense and loving devotion to young hockey players of -- first the Okanagan Valley, but now the world -- he has retired. But he laid the foundation for those who follow in his footsteps. He grew up in Penticton, and from his earliest years wanted to play professional hockey. He joined the Vees, and went on to become a well-established professional. But the idea of a Hockey School was always germinating in his brain.

"I realized how short the life of a professional hockey player could be, and I wanted these kids to realize that their life as a professional might end at twenty-six. They would then have the greatest part of their lives ahead of them. So they needed a good education -- and not just in hockey skills."

"He really cared about those kids," says a lifetime friend. "He wanted them to become well-rounded adults. He talked to them about the importance of education. He got them interested in reading - a lifetime skill, he called it." Lund's passion was to found a school that would help to produce well-rounded citizens -- as well as fine hockey players. The school started in Summerland, where there was "summer ice". Their tiny arena was covered with a huge plastic cover to ward off the hot Okanagan summers. There, in 1958, Lund started on his own, with fifty eager youngsters from around the valley. It was not till 1962 that Penticton got its own arena (now badly in need of replacement).

By that time the School was leaping ahead. Applications poured in from all over Canada and the States, and were beginning to appear from other parts of the world. Lund had established a highly successful partnership with Larry Hale. The two played professionally all winter, and ran the Hockey School in the summer. "It made for a tremendously busy year," says Lund modestly.

After ten years together, Hale was succeeded by Nick Iannone, who worked with Lund for twenty-five years. The successful career of these two professionals was paralleled by the phenomenal growth of the School itself. Penticton proved the perfect location for such a school. Whole families began to plan their vacations at "the town between two lakes". The school had the use of Queen's Park Elementary for dormitories, lecture rooms, and playing fields. Right across the road was the Arena, and the Community Centre pool. The dining room was there too, with meals carefully planned by cooks schooled in nutritional needs.

With Okanagan Lake only a short walk away, it's little wonder that Penticton's name became famous as a destination for families with hockey-addicted youngsters! Letters of appreciation poured in. From California: "My son could not say enough good things.... As a parent, I must congratulate the great people who make it all run so smoothly." And from England: "Jack says it was the best week he's ever had.... And I've noticed a great change in him... Excellent coaching, of the highest standard." Apart from the perfection of the setting, the carefully structured programs impressed everyone.

Parents as well as staff learned to be partners in the quest for personal growth, within a team atmosphere. Players were learning skills that would prepare them for further education, along with self-discipline, self-confidence, and most importantly, respect for others.

All this took place in a secure, inspiring environment. A healthy lifestyle was -- and still is -- paramount. Nourishing meals, zero tolerance for smoking, drinking and drugs, carefully structured exercise sessions, all contributed to a happy atmosphere. And top-notch teaching was the norm. All coaches have had coaching experience with WHL or NHL playing experience.

Lund retired in 2004, while staying on as consultant. His successor, Alan Kerr, was an all-star in his last two years of junior hockey with the Seattle Breakers of the WHL, before playing nine years of NHL hockey. Andy Oakes is now Vice-President and General Manager of the rapidly expanding School. Head Coach Richard Kromm, a ten-year veteran of the NHL, has recently been joined by a second Head Coach, Blake Wesley. To keep the load as manageable as possible, Dixon Ward has the newly formed position of Player Development Coach. The aim is still to give every player one-on-one encouragement.

Letters continue to pour in, from pleased players or their parents. And it made headlines when Burt Bacharach, pondering a Hockey School for his son, asked advice from Wayne Gretsky. The world-famous composer received a prompt answer from the Great One. Penticton was the place to go. No wonder the longest-running Hockey School in existence is also dubbed "The Best in the World!"

2006-08  Dodi Morrison