This past week Vernon Viper fans got news they didnt want to hear but knew it was coming. Head Coach & GM Mark Ferner had left the hockey club to sign and join the WHL Everett Silvertips. What an amazing four years Ferner had here going 165-51-7-17 making it to the last three straight RBC Cups winning two of them. After taking a very young, in-experienced team this past season back to the National Finals for a third straight season you knew teams at a higher level would be calling the Vipers office. Viper fans were very spoiled and very lucky to have watched some great hockey over the past four seasons, under Mark Ferner. Its not very often that a Junior team makes it to three straight RBC Cups. The Vernon Lakers went to four straight Centennial Cups (1989-1992) winning back to back titles in 1990 & 1991. This past three seasons have been pretty special as it will be a very long time before anyone see's a club make it to three straight RBC Cups again. I was very lucky and able to make it and watch the last three Royal Bank Cups, something I will remember and never forget. What a run it was. Im sure Mark has learned alot from his days here in Vernon and will do just fine in Everett, myself along with every other Vipers fan will truly miss you but wish you all the best with the Silvertips! Thanks for some great memories coach!
Former Vernon Vipers captain and assistant coach, Jason Williamson now steps in as the teams new head coach & GM. Willie who along with former Vipers captain, Chris Crowell are the other two players to have had the chance to captain the Vipers in back to back years. Willie played with the Vipers (1999-2001) and has been the teams assistant coach the past four seasons. Im sure Jason has learned alot under Mark Ferner and has alot to learn as a rookie head coach & GM, but I think was great choice for the job and will do just fine. Williamson who at just 30 yrs old is a younger coach that can relate to the players, being a former Viper-captain Willie knows what it means to be a Viper as well as knows what it means to win, winning back to back RBC Cups in 2009 and 2010. Over the past three seasons Williamson has gained the experience making the trip to the RBC Cup three straight years in a row.
As a rookie head coach and GM I wonder how Jason will do as the teams GM? Im sure their will be alot of veteran coaches-GM's trying to school the former Viper with a few trades. My biggest concern is the teams recruiting, Mark Ferner had some very solid contacts, will have to see how Jason does in the recruiting side of things. Im sure this years team is basically already picked, but it will be interesting to see what next years team looks like. You have to wonder if Jason will make any sudden changes before training camp starts? Will he keep any of the players that Mark recruited and had on the team last year? You can bet Willie will have a more bigger, stronger, and physical team then Mark Ferner.
I really like Jason and think he will do just fine. It will be interesting to see who they hire as the new assistant coach? With just over 40 something days until training camp, Im already getting excited for the new season to get underway. Congrats on the new job Jason and all the best this coming season!
Let's take a look at all former Viper coaches and their records.
Mark Ferner (2007-2011) Regular season record: 165-51-7-17
Troy Mick (1996-2000) Regular season record: 161-61-18
Mike Vandekamp (2001-2005) Regular season record: 159-57-11-13
Rob Bremner (1992-1996) (Bremner coached both the Vernon Lakers & Vipers) Regular season record: 137-93-10
Mark Holick (2006-07) Regular season record: 37-19-1-3
Birnie Pimm (2005-06) Regular season record: 30-18-2-6
Joe Oliver (2000-01) Regular season record: 24-26-10
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