After winning the Royal Bank Cup in Victoria the Vipers said they had a possible 16 returning players coming back for this coming hockey season. Over the last week or so it now looks as if the Vipers may be losing two key players in forward, Sahir Gill & defenceman, Kyle Bigos. With the NHL Entry Draft going June 26-27 in Montreal, the question isn’t whether he’ll get selected, but how high? The Merrimack Warriors, who Bigos committed to for the 2010-11 season, want him now. Depending on which NHL team drafts him, Ferner believes they may want Bigos to stay in the B.C. Hockey League for another year of seasoning.This will be a huge blow to the Vipers and their blueline. The Vernon Morning Star Newspaper mentioned a few weeks back, that if Kyle Bigos returned for his last season with Vernon, he would be named team Captain. If Bigos does make the jump to college, the Vipers are left with just four d-men returning from last years RBC Cup winning team. (Kevin Krause, 3rd year) Adam Thompson, 2nd year) Nick Amies, 2nd year) & Steven Weinstein, 2nd year) This meaning Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson would either have to have recruited a few defenceman or now will be forced to make a few off season trades to upgrade the backend. I for one have alot of confidence in both Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson, both have done an excellent job with the Vipers and will continue too in the future. Look at the three young prospects so far both coahces have brought in to play here in Vernon this coming season, Drew George, Dylan Walchuk & Blake Voth. I dont think this is the last of them either, remember it was last year when just after the Vipers fell in 7 games to Penticton that they announced a few new recruits before being quiet for the remainder of the summer, it wasnt until just before training camp that the Vipers announced the remaining recruits that signed on with the Vipers. The world isnt coming to an end just yet, dont forget about players like Cory Kane & Mike Collins who basically just showed up and asked to try out. After winning the Royal Bank Cup, I'am very sure that Mark & Willie have had many phone calls of young men that are dying to play here. I'am already looking forward to the hockey season.
Here's a look at the Vipers returning d-men,
http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=224096&playerID=380582
I'am a big fan of Mr Kraus. Mark Ferner aquired the veteran ex-WHLer at the BCHL's trade deadline two years ago. Kraus is a smooth strong skating d-man, who also handles the puck very well, and likes to get involved in the play any chance he can, making many end to end rushes. I think the Vipers and their fans saw the best from Kevin during this years Playoff run. Kraus was a warrior playing hurt-injured for most if not the Vipers entire run through to the Royal Bank Cup. Kraus is a fierce competitor, blocking many shots in the Playoffs and basically playing on one leg during the Vipers-Silverbacks series. I expect big things from this young man this coming season, if Bigos dosnt return, I expect to see a letter on this kids jersey. As of right now with no Bigos, Kraus is Vernon's best defenceman.
Adam Thompson
http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=224096&playerID=445241
After Mark Ferner & Jason Williamson recruited this young man out of Calgary, I have nothing but good things to say about Mr. Thompson. Adam played very well in his rookie season with the Vipers last year, looking very solid on the powerplay. This kid can carry the puck, and is a very smooth skater. The thing I like the most from Adam is his quick shooting from the point, especially on the man advantage. Really likes waisting no time releasing and getting off that quick shot from the point. Wasnt afraid to get involved after the whistle and laid out some pretty big checks. I expect alot from this young man this coming season. Adam will add alot to the Vernon blueline this season.
Nick Amies
http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=224096&playerID=451526
After making the Vipers and then leaving the team to go and try out for the WHL Kelowna Rockets (was cut) come back to Vernon and played in just 25 games as a rookie 16 yr old defenceman. Heres a very young kid who made the best out of his opportunity when given it. At times Amies looked and played well, but when it came down to big games or tougher opponents, the young 16 yr old boy come out in him. Amies needs some work on his skating and overall defensive coverage in and around the net. Can Amies challange for a spot on this years Vernon roster? Time will tell, will the Kelowna Rockets come knocking on his door again, asking for another shot? I think Nick could have used a year in Jr B last season, to get some playing time and experience, Im looking forward to this coming year and wish Nick all the best at cracking the Vipers roster. This kid has a great and bright future and will be a solid d-man, just needs some time and experience to develope.
Steven Weinstein
http://bchl.bc.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=224096&playerID=445240
Here's one of those California kids that Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson really liked & recruited for last season. At 5'9 and 165 lbs everyone though Steven was too small to play in this league, especially being a d-man. I was one of those people. Weinstein didnt really show me much at the start of the season last year, his smaller size and statue made it easy for the more bigger-stronger players to knock or push him around. In his rookie season Weinstein played in 33 games seeing sometime on the powerplay. As the season went along, Steven really improved his overall game, a very strong skater needs to bulk up and improve defensively in and around the net. Here's a kid who can read the ice very well. With some off season training hopefully Weinstein can help the Vipers blueline this season.
First off I would like to take this time and wish and congradulate former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Patrick Raley on making the USHL's Chicago Steel roster. Raley is from the Chicago area and now has a chance at playing in front of friends and family, all the best Patrick!
The USHL's Chicago Steel have posted on their web site that after a weeklong selection camp The Chicago Steel has finalized its roster for the upcoming year; combining 14 new and 8 returning players to make the official team count stand at 22. Current Vernon Vipers forward, Sahir Gill is on the Steel roster. Gill was drafted in May of this year by the Steel, In the 5th round of the USHL Draft, with the 56th pick. Nothing has been mentioned on the Vipers web site nor in the local papers in town, so is this a done deal? Is Sahir Gill heading off to the Windy City? Only time will tell. I for one have to beleive that having this posted on the Chicago Steel teams web site that Gill wont be back in Vernon this coming August.
I have to ask this, why would a young 17 yr old kid from Terrace BC want to play in Chicago for the Steel? After a great rookie season with the Vipers, winning the RBC Cup and now having a 2nd chance at playing on the Vipers top line with twins Kellen & Connor Jones trying to repeat as National Champs, why jump to the USHL? Dont forget, Gill was also drafted by the WHL Vancouver Giants, who then traded his playing rights last year to the Kamloops Blazers. So here's a young man who can "A" either play for the defending RBC Cup Champions and play on a line with Connor & Kellen Jones & try and secure a NCAA scholarship or "B" give it a shot at the NHL and play for the Kamloops Blazers. Now I may be getting a little carried away here, for all we know Gill be have no intentions what so ever on playing for Chicago and is fully committed on returning to the Vipers this season? We dont really know for sure, until something is said. All we do know is Gill has made the Steel's roster for this coming season, the question is will he be playing in Chicago or Vernon?
So with just two months till Vipers training camp, you have to wonder now who all will be returning from last years team. Will someone like Mike Collins or Cory Kane leave? Maybe Collins will also get that itch to make the big jump to college hockey. Depending on who drafts Cory Kane, maybe Kane will be another US Born player who bolts? With nobody signed you just dont know who will be on this years roster until cards are signed. Just after winning the RBC Cup the Vipers said there was a possible 16 players returning from last years team, now with Kyle Bigos & Sahir Gill on the bubble, will their be any more players leaving or will we now see a possible 14 players returning from last years team. Only time will tell I guess. For now lets take a look at the Vipers roster for this coming hockey season, leaving out both Kyle Bigos and Sahir Gill.
An early version of the Vernon Vipers 2009-10 roster
Nick Amies
Mike Collins
Cole Ikkala
Connor Jones
Kellen Jones
Bryce Kakoske
Cory Kane
Kevin Kraus
Braden Pimm
Kory Roy
Rob Short
Adam Thompson
Steven Weinstein
Graeme Gordon
Drew George
Dylan Walchuk
Blake Voth
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