This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Published: August 25, 2009
Just two weeks after adding some offensive firepower in veteran sniper Jonathan Milhouse, the Vernon Vipers tuned up their backend by adding 20-year-old defenceman Dan Nycholat.
It came at the expense of forward Kory Roy, who was traded along with future considerations to the Canmore Eagles for Nycholat, who was at Vipers’ camp Monday at Wesbild Centre, but did not skate because of a sore ankle.
The younger brother of Lawrence Nycholat, a defenceman with the Vancouver Canucks, Dan is a former top-10 NCAA prospect and was rated in the top-200 by Central Scouting.
The 6-foot-2, 190 pounder spent the last two seasons playing NCAA hockey with the Northeastern Huskies, posting 1-6-7 and 41 penalty minutes in 48 games. He struggled through a bout of mononucleosis in his rookie year.
Nycholat felt the decision to sever his ties with Northeastern and return to Junior A hockey would be best for his development.
“I’m really excited. It was either stay in college or come to Vernon, and it worked out for me.
“I’d like to be more of a contributor, playing a bigger role and helping the team win.”
Nycholat has spent his summer between his hometown of Calgary and training with Lawrence and some other pros in Minneapolis.
“He just said have fun and work hard,” said Nycholat, of his big brother’s advice. “He has been a lot of help.”
With the hopes of landing another NCAA scholarship, Nycholat plans to keep his academic standing intact by enrolling in local college courses.
“It’ll be starting the process all over again,” grinned Nycholat, who has also played in the World Junior A Challenge.
Said Vipers’ GM/head coach Mark Ferner: “It’s kind of what the doctor ordered. We needed to add another experienced puck-moving defenceman.
“We knew that we had to address a situation with our back end, and to be honest, I haven’t seen him play, but we’ve done our homework on him.”
With a talent-laden front end, the Vipers were able to part with Roy. The Anchorage product played in only 14 regular-season B.C. Hockey League games last year, and would have been hard-pressed to earn a more prominent role with the Vipers this season.
“He’s a good player, but he didn’t play a whole bunch,” said Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner. “This team (Canmore) wants him. He’s a great kid and a good character guy. But he needs to play. This is a big year for him, it’s a scholarship year.”
Meanwhile, the speedy Milhouse is settling in well with the Vipers and expects big things for the coming season.
“I’m excited to get here – there’s still a lot of guys left from the championship team.
“With all the guys that are here, I don’t think it’s out of the question to make it back to the (Royal Bank Cup).”
The Snakes acquired the Yorba Linda, Calif. product by shipping the rights to 20-year-old forward Brian Elser and future considerations to the Victoria Grizzlies.
“He’s a very dynamic forward. When you have the ability to add one of the better 20-year-olds in the league, you’ve got to try to do it,” said Ferner.
“We felt he was one of their (Grizzlies’) better players at the Royal Bank Cup. He looks after himself and he’ll certainly fit real well into the culture of our hockey team.”
In 42 games with Victoria, Milhouse collected 19 goals for 42 points. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder posted 10 points in 17 games with Portland.
Vipers’ camp concludes today – practices go at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., with scrimmages at 9:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. The annual Blue & White game goes Thursday night 6 p.m. at Wesbild. The Morning Star and KISS-FM will act as guest coaches.
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