The Sicamous Eagles will be honouring the memory of Wayne March in the most fitting way possible: with a game of hockey. 

March, who co-founded the team with Doug Birks in 1994, and served as its general manager up until his retirement in 2021, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 17. A celebration of his life will be held in the spring.

In a post shared on the team's Facebook page, Sicamous Eagles board president Dave Strle referred to March as someone who put his community first and "was always eager to help minor hockey and figure skating and countless other non-profits in Sicamous." 

"Under Wayne鈥檚 leadership, the Sicamous Eagles saw many star players rise up through our program such as Shea Weber, Cody Franson, Travis Martell, Kris Beech (and) Deryk Engelland, who went on to do big things in the NHL. As well as a number of players who went on to the NCAA and Europe," wrote Strle.
"To this day, you can not say Sicamous Eagles without someone saying Wayne March shortly after. Wayne took pride in being part of many illustrious careers and liked to keep in touch with many of the former players. During his tenure as the Eagles GM, the team won the Teck Cup three times and twice won the Cyclone Taylor Provincial Championships. As well as the Coy Cup with the Senior Men鈥檚 team in their last season in 1994."

In addition to being the Eagles' general manager, March also managed the Sicamous and District Recreation Centre for 11 years.  

On the Eagles' website, former assistant general manager, coach and longtime supporter Rob Sutherland thanked March for his contributions over the years, noting how news of his passing "touches alot of people with sadness but then also immediately reminds them of some great memory of how Wayne did something for or with them."

Sutherland, who is organizing the Eagles' inaugural Alumni Game on Nov. 10, noted he'd been having coffee with March over the summer, and "Wayne was very upbeat and happy talking hockey." Sutherland said March was onboard with plans for the Alumni Game and was honoured to be invited to be on the committee organizing it. 

"I loved that the man was still having hockey meetings with me knowing he didn鈥檛 have long. I will miss the stories and discussions over coffee and snacks. Wayne will be remembered by so many," said Sutherland, stating the alumni game will be held in March's honour. 

March frequently explained to the Eagle Valley News how he thought of the Eagles as a stepping stone, an organization through which young players are developed to move on to bigger and better things. 

鈥淚 have known Wayne March for a long time growing up in Sicamous and also from my time with the Sicamous Eagles. Wayne has had a great impact on the community and on the team itself,鈥� Shea Weber told the Eagle Valley News after March announced his retirement in 2021. 

March鈥檚 wife Lorraine, who played a major role with the team and with the KIJHL as a whole, passed away following a battle with cancer in September 2018. Strle noted the Lorraine March Memorial Scholarship Fund was formed in her honour and is still awarded annually by the Sicamous Eagles to a graduating student to help with their next phase in schooling.

"Both Wayne and Lorraine were integral and played major roles with our team and community through their years," said Strle.