Pierce Will Have Cents Ready To Battle:

I think the Merritt Centennials made the right decision a few weeks back re-signing head coach and former Merritt Centennial & Vernon Viper forward, Luke Pierce. After Al Glendinning was let go, the Cents have had troubles finding a new replacement. Back in August the Centennials hired Dylan and Tyler Forsythe to the coaching staff. Luke Pierce was hired on as the clubs assistant coach, with Dylan named the team’s head coach. On November 25th the Forsythe brothers were on their way out and Pierce was named the teams interim head coach and gm. On November 26th Pierce was named Merritt’s head coach and gm. Since Pierce took over the Centennials, Merritt went 14-18 during the regular season and lost in four straight to the Penticton Vees in the 1st round of the BCHL playoffs.

With Luke behind the bench I thought the Centennials were a hard working team in the games I saw them play against Vernon, it was a much more skilled Vipers team that in the end helped defeat the Cents throughout the regular season. There were several games last year where Merritt played the Vipers strong, even held 3rd period leads until the veteran powered Vipers stepped it up in the 3rd and pulled out the victory. Luke was one of those players you use to hate to play against but loved him if he was a part of your team. Pierce has a huge heart and played the game like it was his last. Luke hopefully will get the word out that the Merritt Centennials won’t be one of the bottom feeders in the Interior Conference this coming season. I think after doing his best last year with what he had, given some strong scouting Luke & the Merritt Centennials will be a very hard, competitive team this coming season. You can bet Luke will do his best to try and get the Centennials back to the top of the Interior Conference. Let's hope with Luke's hard work and detication players will want to stay in Merritt and come play for the Centennials.

I’d like to wish Luke all the best and look forward to seeing him back behind the bench this coming season.

Looking at the Centennials roster it looks like they should have a good returning group of players coming back for another season, depending if these kids come back. I know some of these kids’ futures are undecided.

Forward Dustin Johnson
Forward Jeff Jones
Forward Alexander McMillian
Forward David Sabey
Forward Stephen Wall
Forward Silvan Harper
Forward Daniel Chang
Forward Sam Gemmell

Defence Derek Hills
Defence Mitch Jones
Defence Steve Tresierra
Defence Jeff Zmurchyk
Defence Matt Mazzarolo
Defence Kameran Craford
Defence Austin Baecker

Goaltender Keith Hamilton
Goaltender Cole Holowenko