By Stephanie Stevens

For some players, junior hockey can mean a different town every season or two without a lot of chances to put down roots.

But sometimes, after that final junior career skate, they find the community they played for has become home.

That’s what happened to former Columbia Valley Rockies Kyran Gromnisky and Brett Sweet.

Gromnisky, originally from Lethbridge, was a forward with the team for three seasons, from 2021 through 2024. Goalie Sweet hailed from Calgary and was between the Rockies pipes for the 2022/23 season.

“I chose to stay in Invermere simply because of what this place is—it truly fulfills everything I need,” said Gromnisky. “There’s always something to do out here, whether it’s golfing, relaxing by the lake, or enjoying a day on the slopes.

“But more than just the activities: it’s the people who make Invermere so special. I’ve built strong relationships here, and the community is nothing short of amazing. There’s honestly no other place I’d rather be. This town also gave me the best three years of my life playing for the Rockies — years filled with unforgettable memories that I’ll carry with me forever. And now, I’m excited to keep building new ones in the same place.”

Sweet said the people in the community were his greatest impetus to stay as well.

“Everyone here was so friendly, and I was able to form a lot of close relationships with the people I’ve met,” he said. “Being able to get out on the lake or golf after work is a really nice change from living in the city.”

Choosing to live in the valley was one thing… but they both knew they wanted to be part of the community in an even more tangible way. So they decided to become part of the business community as well with their window washing business Invermere Pane Relief.

“My good buddy Brett and I saw a great opportunity to start something of our own here, something rooted in the values of friendship, community, and fairness,” Gromnisky said. “Together we’ve launched a business that offers competitive prices and, more importantly, fair and reasonable deals for everyone. We’re proud to be a part of this community and to give back in a way that reflects how much this place means to us.”

Sweet added that the appreciation for the natural beauty of the valley that both young men love carries over into how they run their company.

“We use a resin filter to purify our water,” Sweet said. “The water runs through the filter, deionizing it and dissolving the minerals. By dissolving the minerals, we’re able to clean the windows without any white calcium streaks or marks left behind, as well as using a clean, chemical-free process that prevents any damage to plants, pets or homes.”

Rockies president Brett Holt said this speaks volumes about not only the players buy-in to the community, but the community’s buy-in to the team.

“It is terrific when a community embraces our Rockies and the players give back to the community,” said Holt. “We are always thrilled when players choose to stay in our community and call our Columbia Valley home after their Junior A career comes to an end.”

You can reach out to Invermere Pane Relief to book or get a quote by emailing [email protected].

Stephanie Steven photos

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