In hearing coach Luke Pierce's strategic plan for the upcoming three seasons, one can't help but feel a little optimistic.

The Merritt Centennials, who posted a turn-around season under the former-Centennial-turned head coach/ GM, plan to develop more of an identity that will involve younger players and a more extensive scouting system throughout the next three seasons.

Pierce, who delivered the Cents' strategic plan to the public last Wednesday night at the Nicola Valley Arena, says that any coach in the BCHL who is not in it to win the RBC Cup is wasting his time and that of his players.

But how realistic is it for the Cents, now without captain Jordan Soquila and several other veterans, a major question in goal, and an inconsistent defensive core, to go deep in the playoffs? Regardless, Pierce seems confident and is clearly well organized with his plans for the team, now in its 38th consecutive season.

Although he did admit the team will be in a bit of a rebuilding phase this season, he says one of is priorities will be to deliver entertaining and winning hockey to the hockey fans of the Nicola Valley, and hopefully raise the average attendance to 700 per game by 2013.

Although Merritt is the smallest market in the league, with a small rink and low operating budget, the team is managing to help players get to the next level, whether that be college or professional hockey. The long list of Centennial alumni is no embarrassment and it seems that the Centennials organization is the perfect fit for some players, not only players seeking post-secondary education, but players just looking to mature as individuals and develop character.

The on-ice plan this season is to win the first round in the playoffs. To do that, of course, the Cents will need more wins to make sure they get a slightly easier first round match up. No more Vipers, and no more Vees, please—maybe in the later rounds.

Off the ice, Pierce has crafted a network of scouts from coast to coast, and even venturing down into the U.S.A.
The following season, the Cents plan to make it to the conference finals, and in their 40th anniversary year, the 2012-13 season, the plan is to at least win the league and challenge for the Doyle and RBC cups.

To do all this, the plan calls for a minimum operating budget of just under $500,000. A hefty price tag considering revenue last year was about half of that amount. But that's what we are told is necessary in order to attract players with good skills and character.

“The feedback's been tremendous,” said Pierce of the Cents strategic plan.

“It's kind of given us as an organization a renewed bit of energy to continue doing what we're doing and seeing how positive everyone is about it.”

“It gives the public an idea of what were trying to accomplish but it also gives us a solid framework to guide our efforts from and make sure we're all working towards the same goal,” continued Pierce.

You get the real sense that Pierce believes in what he is saying and believes in the team, because even if Pierce were to leave the team in the future, he says he wants the plan left intact so that the Cents will not miss a beat should another coach step in.

“To miss your objective is tough to swallow and it happens a lot,” explained Pierce.

“I think that as long as we accomplish some of the underlying goals as far as creating some keen interest in town and making the team a proud part of the city, I think that even if we don't win our championship, it still can be measured as success.”