Vipers Sign Ex-WHLer:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers sign ex-WHLer

By Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning StarPublished: September 11, 2008 6:00 PM

It’s only September, but Mark Ferner is already thinking about the playoff trenches.The second-year Vernon Vipers head coach/GM has signed four-year Western Hockey League right winger Ryan DePape. The 20-year-old will play tonight as the Snakes visit the Westside Warriors in a B.C. Hockey League game at Royal LePage Place.DePape, a 6-foot-2, 216-pound Winnipeg product, became a WHL refugee when the Pats released him and former Kelowna Rocket Kirt Hill, also 20. Each WHL club can carry three overagers.“He competes hard and he’s another big body who you want to go to war with,” said Ferner. “Plus, he’s a pretty skilled guy, too.”DePape was captain of the Prince Albert Raiders as an 18-year-old, compiling 25 goals and 56 points in 62 games. He pocketed 7-12-19 with the Raiders last year before being traded to Regina, where he added 3-3-6 in the final 27 games.“He has had decent numbers (12 points in 28 games) in the playoffs all four years,” said Ferner.Defenceman Victor Bartley, centre Scott Doucet and left-winger Michael MacAngus won Regina’s three overage spots. Doucet and DePape were teammates for three seasons with Prince Albert before they were reunited last season in Regina.“It’s mostly a down feeling,” Doucet told the Regina Leader-Post. “I played with Papy for most of my career. Seeing him that upset was definitely a shock to the system but it’s part of the game. I’m definitely happy at the same time that I get to stick around. There were six real good players in the mix. I knew I had to come in and work my tail off to get a spot. I was fully aware (of the situation). It was tight but I’m definitely happy to come out on top.”DePape plays with an edge, racking up 328 penalty minutes in regular-season WHL action.