After the Vipers had troubles scoring goals last year, Vipers new head coach-gm Jason Williamson went out and added some scoring aquiring former Salmon Arm Silverbacks 50 pt man, Jarryd Ten Vaanholt over the summer along with defenceman, Justin Elliot from the SJHL Kindersley Klippers giving up forward, Dane Muench, defenceman, Phillip Patenaude & future considerations. Today the Vipers dont have either Ten Vaanholt or Justin Elliott. I was shocked yesterday when I noticed Ten Vaanholt wasnt on the Vipers roster, and then heard about the trade this morning.
Going into training camp the Vipers only needed a backup goaltender, due to the players returning from last year and this years new recruits. I would have never expected to see a kid like Jarryd Ten Vaanholt traded. My guess is that Williamson had some very tough choices to make regaurding his 21 man roster, and went with youth over a veteran 20 year old goal scorer. I noticed alot of skill-talent and kids that can put the puck in the net at this years Vipers training camp-pre season games, so maybe Williamson figured he has lots of younger kids with some skill and talent that can do just as good as Ten Vaanholt and still play more then one season with the Vipers, so they could afford to deal the 20 yr old. The Vipers now have just three twenty year olds (Patrick McGillis, Kirby Halcrow and Darren Nowick). The Vipers aquired forward, Pearce Eviston from the Victoria Grizzlies for Ten Vaanholt, but Eviston is currently with the WHL Portland Winterhawks. The question now, is Eviston a garauntee to make the Winterhawks lineup? If Portland cuts-releases him, who do the Vipers then release-trade to make room for Eviston? I just looked and Eviston isnt even listed on the Winterhawks roster.
Going with just three twenty year olds and a younger club, how will the Vipers do as the season goes on? How will a younger team with just three twenty year olds do come playoff time? Usally a time when a more veteran-experienced team does very well over the younger teams. Will the Vipers add anymore twenty year olds? For now I dont think so. I think the Vipers coaching staff really likes the make of this years club and will give the kids atleast ten or so games to prove themselves. As the season goes on and if things arnt going well, maybe they will try and aquire a veteran 20 yr old but for now I think this is the team-group of kids the team is going with.
After picking up Ten Vaanholt I was thrilled to see the former Silverback in a Vipers jersey this coming season. For one, some much needed scoring and two adding a veteran 20 yr old never hurts. Ten Vaanholt was a Viper killer last season, playing and doing very well against Vernon all season. Ten Vaanholt will add some scoring and skill to the Grizzlies. Let's hope that some of the Vipers younger recruits that looked so good during training camp and the pre-season can play and do just as well come the regular season-playoffs.
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