Crisfield joins Viper den
By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: April 01, 2011
Geoff Crisfield’s YouTube highlight package is pretty much a how-to hockey video for defencemen.
The Calgary Royals’ blueliner likes to hit (a lot), he’s got a decent outlet pass and can even jump up on the rush every so often.
What it doesn’t show you is something Vernon Viper head coach Mark Ferner holds in high regard – character. It is also one of the main reasons several Junior A and Major Junior clubs were also after Crisfield’s services for the 2011-12 season.
“The first time you meet him, you don’t expect him to be 17 years old,” said Ferner. “The one thing that stands out to me is Geoff is a terrific young man. He’s very well spoken, he’s friendly.
“Even in the short time he spent here, he fit in well with the other players. Our guys have taken to him.”
Social skills aside, Ferner believes the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Crisfield’s on-ice potential will be even greater when he joins the Vipers next season.
“He’s a big, mean player that moves the puck well. We don’t know how good he can be yet. He has the potential to not only be a great junior player, but also in college, and maybe even pro one day.
“I’m sure the fans are going to be thrilled to watch Geoff play next year.”
With Viper defensive stalwarts Stevie Weinstein, Adam Thompson and Malcolm Lyles all graduating this season, there should be ample opportunity for Crisfield to step into the mix in 2011-12.
“I just want to contribute in any way the coaching staff wants me to, and hopefully make an impact with the team next year,” said Crisfield, who is keen to develop all aspects of his game.
“I don’t want to be one-dimensional. I find it is more fun if you can play in different scenarios.”
Crisfield enjoyed his first season as a captain with the Royals, compiling five goals, 20 assists and 138 penalty in 31 games. He also captained the AMHL’s Chrysler Division all-star team.
He visited Vernon while the Vipers were battling the Westside Warriors in the Interior Conference semifinals. That pretty much sealed his decision to sign here.
“I loved it. Great city, great people. From the start, I always had Vernon in the back of my mind. When I came out to see it, it was an outright ‘Yes,’” he said.
“The big thing was the coaching. Vernon has a great reputation as an organization,” he added.
Crisfield, who turned 18 in February, says he considered going the WHL route, but didn’t want to risk his NCAA eligibility on the chance that he might not stick in Major Junior.
“As I got older, it kind of made more sense to go the NCAA route,” he said.
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