News release
For immediate release
Esquimalt, BC—Join families and supporters from Esquimalt and the region in watching Greater Victoria fire fighters face off in the first annual Ken Gill and Forrest Owens Memorial Hockey Tournament. The games will be held through the day on April 5 in Esquimalt.
The event is meant to increase awareness of mental health and cancer incidences affecting members of the fire service and our communities at large. Occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. Fire fighter and emergency medical responders experiencing multiple traumatic events have a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress which burdens their mental health.
This friendly game will be held at Archie Browning Sports Centre and is open to the public. The ceremonial puck drops at 7:40am with members of the Gill and Owens family, Esquimalt Fire Chief Matt Furlot and Victoria Assistant Fire Chief Steve Serbic. The first game starts at 7:45 am with games running until 5:45 pm. Games will be played throughout the day, each game will be two 15 minute runtime periods, and all games are 4 on 4.
The Esquimalt Lions will be running the concession from 11am-3pm with the Crows Nest Lounge opening at 12:30PM. Spectators can choose a selection of snacks and beverages.
All are welcome to this family-friendly event. Come support your local fire hall as they battle for charity on the ice.
Forrest Owens division teams and charities
- Esquimalt FD - Neighborhood House
- Victoria FD - Courtnall Society
- Central Saanich FD - Forrest Owens Memorial Scholarship Award
- DND FD - Wounded Warriors Canada
Ken Gill division teams and charities
- Saanich FD - Wounded Warrior Canada
- Oak Bay FD - Courtnall Society
- Langford FD - Goldstream Food Bank
- View Royal & Colwood FD – Victoria Hospital Foundation (NICU)
Tournament Schedule
07:45 Esquimalt FD vs CSFD
08:25 Victoria FD vs DND
09:20 Esquimalt FD vs DND
10:00 Victoria FD vs Central Saanich FD
10:55 Central Saanich FD vs DND FD
11 :35 Esquimalt FD vs Victoria FD
12:30 Saanich FD vs View Royal & ColwoodFD
13: 10 Oak Bay FD vs Langford FD
14:05 Saanich FD vs Langford FD
14:45 Oak Bay FD vs View Royal & ColwoodFD
15:40 Langford FD vs View Royal & ColwoodFD
16:20 Saanich FD vs Oak Bay FD
17:00 Ice Clean
17:20 Finals
In Memoriam
Ken Gill had a distinguished 33-year firefighting career with the Langford, DND, Sidney and Oak Bay Fire Departments. He retired in 2014 from the Oak Bay FD as a Captain Inspector. Ken then served as FD Chaplain to both Oak Bay and Esquimalt Fire Departments and was a strong advocate for mental health. He passed away in 2018.
Forrest Owens had 35 years of service to the Central Saanich community working as a volunteer firefighter, Captain, and career Assistant Fire Chief. He was well known and respected in the community not only as a firefighter, but also as an avid fisherman, dedicated coach in hockey and lacrosse, and member on several boards and committees. He passed away in 2022.
