Thank You Vipers!

Id like to take this time to thank and congradulate the 2009 Vernon Vipers hockey club and their fans on winning their 5th National Championship. Vernon is very proud of you. Mark Ferner & Jason Williamson did a fantastic job with this years Vipers team. Troy Mick deserves alot of credit, as it was the Micker who helped bring in Mark Ferner to replace him, as the two worked together in Kamloops. From day 1 of the season Ferner & Williamson said they wanted to build a team that could win a 7 game playoff series, well they didnt have to play in a game 7 this year but had the team that could make a long playoff run, and in the end win the RBC Cup. Congrats!

Last year Ferner in his first season in Vernon struggled in the first half of the year, as the season went on, the Vipers improved. After sweeping the Trail Smoke Eaters in three games the Vipers faced off against the #1 Penticton Vees, after looking like the Vipers were no match for the Vees, Vernon battled back from 3-1 forcing a game 7. A tough loss in the end Ferner knew what kind of players it would take to go through the playoffs. With Ferners roster basically picked before he got to town, this year Mark would get a chance at picking his own team. Ferner brought in some key players, doing a great job at recruiting and then making a few key trades through out the year to finish off the pieces to the puzzle.

The regular season would begin as the Vipers were picked as favorites. Early on the cridicts may have been second guessing themselfs, as Vernon got off to a bit of a slow start. The Vipers would struggle on home ice in the month of September, wich some fans were already calling for Ferners head. With Salmon Arm taking a comfortable lead in the Interior Division, it didnt look like the Vipers would have a shot at first place. After some big trades and much improvement the team would win 9 straight in late November and then another 7 straight in mid January wich would have the Vipers pass the Silverbacks for top spot and never look back as the Vipers would win the Interior Division. I think it may have taken the guys a bit of time to buy into Ferners system. Putting Sahir Gill up front with the Jones Twins was a great move, it took the team sometime to find the right mix, but in the end Gill was the one. This line is very hard to stop and very exciting to watch.

I really liked Ferners trades this season, adding the final peices to finish off the puzzle. Lets take a look at some of the key trades Mark pulled off.

Aquiring veteran forward and local kid Bryce Kakoske from the Surrey Eagles. Kakoske added that grit and hard work wich the Vipers needed.

Aquiring backup goaltender Graeme Gordon from the Merritt Centennials. Gordon was rock solid as the teams backup giving the Vipers that confidence between the pipes when Hammond needed a night off.

Trading Ryan DePape to Alberni Valley for James Kerr. Kerr added that energy and solid play on the penalty kill, made Vernons specialty teams very lethal.

Trading veteran Steve Tresseira & John Digness for veteran 20 yr old d-men Mike Leidl & Cameron Brodie. These trades put Vernon over the top giving them the veteran experience on the backend to give the Vipers that extra push for a long playoff run and 6-0 record at the RBC.

This years version of the Vernon Vipers was made for a long playoff haul, wich we all seen. After getting a first round bye the Penticton Vees would be no match for the Vipers taking the series in five games. In the end a much younger and less experienced Vees team couldnt matchup against a strong veteran experienced Vipers team.

The Vipers toughest and hardest playoff series was in the Interior Conference Finals vs Salmon Arm. This matchup was a war in one of if not the most physical series. The Silverbacks did everything and anything to try and knock off the Vipers but in the end strong goaltending and solid defence would give the Vipers the Interior Conference Championship.

Vernon would win its 10th league title after shutting down the Powell River Kings scoring machine. The Kings had two of the best scoring lines during the regular season, but were shutdown by the strong defensive play from the Vipers. Powell River who lead the league in scoring couldnt find it come playoff time going out in six games.

The Vipers would meet former Head Coach & GM Mike Vandekamp and the Grande Priaire Storm in the Doyle Cup, with the ILA Loggers Convention the Vipers were forced to play in the acent Civic Arena, with a great playoff atmosphere the Vipers would head to Alberta up 2-0. Vernon would sweep the series 4-0. Once again the strong play from Andrew Hammond and the Vipers defence shutdown the Grande Priaire Storm.

The Vipers would advance to their 7th Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup apperance going 5-0 during the round robin breaking the Camrose Kodiaks record for most wins in the round robin with 23 wins. Once again solid goaltending from Andrew Hammond and the Vipers solid defensive play gave them their 5th National title defeating Humboldt 2-0.

Overall this is one if not the best defensive Vipers team I think I have ever seen. Give the Vipers a lead in the 3rd and its basically game over. The Vipers have been knowen for their defence and strong goaltending, Vernon has shutdown many teams in the final period sitting on a one goal lead. The Vipers won 50 games, tied one, and lost one in overtime when they’ve led going into the third period this season & playoffs. The Vipers lost just 5 games all playoffs before going 6-0 at the RBC.

This is a very special group of young men wich is almost identical to the 1999 RBC Cup winning team. Both teams were very tight and close together, on and off the ice. A very classy group of young men who played with heart and desire, played for one another and stood up for one another. The Vipers may have not had the offensive punch up front, but could roll any four lines at any give chance and give the visitors a run for their money. Vernon had a very well rounded team with very few weaknesses. With a possible 16 players returning for next year the Vipers have a great chance at defending their National Championship.

To all the graduating players who wont be back next season, I wish you all the best in your future or hockey careers. Thank you for some very special memories that I will never forget. Making the trip to Victoria for the Royal Bank Cup was well worth it and very memorable! Something I will never forget. To the players returning next season, Im looking very forward and excited at having the chance at defending our title. Many Thanks!