Ken Gill and Forrest Owens Memorial Hockey Tournament

This event celebrates the lives and legacies of Ken Gill and Forrest Owens—two remarkable individuals who were beloved members of the greater Victoria firefighter communities. Their impact on those around them was profound, and to honor their memory, we are hosting the Ken Gill & Forrest Owens Memorial Hockey Game on April 4 and 5 at Archie Browning Arena and Wurtele Arena, located in Esquimalt, BC.

The tournament will be held at Wurtele Arena & Archie Browning Arena with finals held at Archine Browning.

This tournaments focus beyond that of our fallen brothers and sisters is our mental health as first responders and continued efforts in working towards our resiliency. This special event will unite friends, family, and hockey enthusiasts while raising funds for several community organizations.

Forrest Owens Division (Archie Browning)                    

•    Esquimalt FD – Esquimalt Neighborhood House
•    Victoria FD – Courtnall Society
•    Central Saanich FD – Forrest Owens Memorial Scholarship Award
•    Saanich FD – Wounded Warrior Canada
•    Sydney FD – Peninsula Food Bank

Ken Gill Division (Wurtele Arena)

•    DND FD – Wounded Warriors Canada
•    Nanaimo FD - TBD
•    Oak Bay FD – Courtnall Society
•    Langford FD – Goldstream Food Bank
•    View Royal & Colwood FD – Victoria Hospital Foundation (NICU)

Bar and concession

• The Lions are providing food at Wurtele from 11AM-3PM on Friday April 4. 
• The concession at Archie Browning will be run by the Victoria Cougars from 11AM-3PM both days. 
• Staff at Archie Browning Arena will also be serving refreshments at the Crows Nest bar and a satellite bar in the rink from noon until the last game of the day on both Friday and Saturday.

Special event—Beyond Mental Health and Towards Mental Thriving:

• Saturday, April 5, 12–1:30 pm
• Archie Browning Arena—Upper Lounge

Guests are encouraged to attend a powerful talk led by Julie-Anne Richards, a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Julie-Anne will share valuable tools for optimizing mental wellness and tackling post-traumatic growth—an often-overlooked but powerful outcome of effectively treated PTSI. This informal talk is an opportunity to learn strategies to not just cope but thrive in the face of the unique challenges that first responders face.

Game schedules