Pimm Leads Scoring Committee:

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Pimm leads scoring committee

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 20, 2008 6:00 PM

A boost in confidence, more opportunity and a relentless work ethic – that’s the formula that has put second-year centre Braden Pimm atop the Vernon Vipers’ scoring list. And Pimm says a little puck luck hasn’t hurt either. “Last game (Sunday), I had a two-goal game against Quesnel, and last year, those shots wouldn’t have gone in for me, but this year, it seems I’ve been a little luckier.” The Vipers rank fourth in the B.C. Hockey League in goals for average (3.7), yet, curiously, they have just one player in the top-20 in scoring. Pimm is 20th with 17-10-27 in 27 games. His 17 goals place him sixth. “We had (Hunter) Bishop last year, who was pretty much our superstar, but this year, with the skill level we have, any one of our guys could be the leading scorer,” said Pimm, who turns 19 in December. “With everyone scoring, it doesn’t put as much pressure on everyone else, so it probably makes it easier for other people to put the puck in the net.” Added Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner: “He’s certainly playing with a lot more confidence. We knew he was going to be a good player, no question. Night in and night out, he puts in a terrific work ethic. “He’s a guy we can put in every situation, and we know he’s going to go out and do the right thing.” College scouts have taken note of Pimm’s consistent play, too. He’s going on a flydown to the NCAA Division 1 Northeastern Huskies’ campus in Boston on Sunday. The Vipers (17-7-1-2), who trail the Salmon Arm SilverBacks (18-7-1-1) by a single point in the Interior Conference, host the Merritt Centennials (5-23-0-1) tonight at Wesbild Centre. The Snakes visit the Penticton Vees (15-8-0-3) Saturday at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Vernon has allowed the fewest goals (70) in the BCHL, trailed closely by the Prince George Spruce Kings at 71. This can be attributed to the Vipers improved play in their own end, and the stellar goaltending tandem of Andrew Hammond and Graeme Gordon. In his rookie season, Pimm recorded 15-24-39 and 44 penalty minutes in 60 games, and with his current pace, the Fort St. John product is primed to eclipse those numbers. “Last year, I didn’t have as much opportunity as I do this year,” said Pimm. “I’ve been playing lots on the powerplay, and playing with (Mike) Collins and (Chris) Crowell makes it easier to put the puck in the net because they’re always in the right spot.” Added Pimm, laughing: “I’ve matured as a player, not really as a person. That extra year helps a lot.” If there’s one person who knows what Pimm is all about, it’s d-man Kyle Bigos. The two have been teammates since they attended the Notre Dame Hounds Hockey Academy in Wilcox, Sask. “I’ve spent six years with him and one thing that really stands out day in and day out is his work ethic,” said Bigos. “I’ve never met anyone that works as hard as him. “And he’s got great hands – he can stick handle and shoot like no one I’ve seen. The way he sets up plays with him, Collins and Crow – their line looks really good. It really creates room out there for the Jones twins (Connor and Kellen), because the top dee on other teams can’t really key up on just one line.” Like many of the Vipers’ returning players, Pimm bought into the idea of off-season conditioning, and hired a personal trainer, “even though people couldn’t really tell I did,” added the 6-foot, 175-pounder, with a sheepish grin. Pimm, a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan, is the cousin of former Vipers GM/head coach Bernie Pimm, who had a hand in bringing him to Vernon.