When Mike Vandekamp heard the news of the fatal ammonia leak that killed three people inside the Fernie Memorial Arena, the first thing he did was reflect.
Vandekamp cut his teeth as a head coach with the Fernie Ghostriders back in the 90’s in the old Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL) after his playing days with the Prince George Spruce Kings wrapped up.
He has a great appreciation for the people who make their living at the local hockey rink.
“When you’re behind the scenes I think you get to know the guys that are working in the rink real well and you kind of get know the rink from the inside and out and it becomes the second home for you. I think Fernie is a community that really rallies around its junior hockey team.”
“The gentlemen that were working at the rink when this accident happened would have been big fans, everybody would have known who they are,” added Vandekamp.
“It’s been over 20 years since I lived there but it’s a close-knit community for sure and the community that lives around the rink every day is even closer.”
The deceased workers were repairing the refrigeration system at the time of the ammonia leak.
As a result of the incident, all residents and homes and businesses between 9th and 13th streets, as well as Highway 3 to 6th avenue have been evacuated until Tuesday.
Vandekamp only spent a year in the Kootenays but has a lot of fond memories from being behind the bench of the Ghostriders.
“The type of crowd they had at every game was always a packed house and the support they had was always a boisterous crowd, clearly cheering for the home team. It was your typical small community environment.”
Vandekamp also has ties to the Prince George Cougars where he was their head coach from 2005 to 2007.
His connections to Junior A are knee-deep holding either head coaching or managerial roles with the Vernon Vipers, Merritt Centennials, Grande Prairie Storm.
Vandekamp is currently the bench boss and general manager of the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers, a role he has held since the 2011-12 season.
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