With most BCHL teams already announcing several new recruits-commitments the Vernon Vipers have been pretty quiet over the off season until just recently announcing the signings of 17 year old forward Landon Robin and 17 year old defenceman Michael Statchuk.
Statchuk A fifth-round draft pick of the WHL Saskatoon Blades, is listed at 5'11 190 lbs was named Top Defenceman at the Macs Midget AAA Tournament. Statchuk collected (13-26-29) in 44 games this past season. A former captain has some size and is highly touted by several scouts. With the addition of Statchuk the Vipers now have seven defenceman heading into training camp this coming August.
Brett Corkey "92"
Ryan Renz "93"
Michael Statchuk "94"
Marc Hetnik "92"
Geoff Crisfield "93"
Max Mowat "93"
Turner Lawson "94"
Robin who also has some size is listed at 6' 185 lbs collected (27-23-50) in just 33 games this past season. Also a former captain was highly touted by several scouts. With the addition of Robin the Vipers now have seven forwards heading into camp this coming summer.
Both players sound very skilled, have some good size and I like that both are former captains, wich will add some leadership. My biggest question is are these two players the real deal? Viper fans over the years have heard or read alot of so called new recruits coming to Vernon that were highly touted but before the season was a month or two old those so called top end players were being shipped out of town. Over the years Viper fans have seen several so called top recruits come into camp but were being released or traded early into the start of the new season. The Vipers have been badly out recruited over the last several years and it has shown. Teams like Penticton, Salmon Arm and Westside always seem to scout-recruit high end top prospects wich are among some of the best players in the BCHL. You sure havnt seen many players from Vernon in the leagues top scoring over the last four or five years.
My second concern is the Vipers have 13 players returning from last years team. Out of those 13 players the Vipers have just two twenty year olds (Brett Corkey & Marc Hetnik) wich mean they can still add four twenty year olds to their roster. Will the Vipers be looking at making some trades over the summer to try and aquire some veteran twenty year olds? The other question is the Vipers dont have alot of outstanding returning players that they could use as trade bait? A top end player that another team would be looking for. Sure you have Brett Corkey, Adam Tambellini and maybe Aaron Hadley but you need and want those kids to be apart of your team. Out of the 13 returning players there isnt alot of scoring-offence up front. Most of Vernon's returning players are hard working players, grinders that play physical, work hard but dont put up alot of big numbers. Other then Adam Tambellini and maybe Aaron Hadley who else can the Vipers count on for atleast 20-25 goals this season? I sure hope the Vipers coaching staff and scouts have done their homework and will add some veteran players, as well as offensive-skilled forwards who can put the puck in the net. Last season the Vipers had just one line that did the majority of the teams scoring as the Vipers the last two seasons lacked a pure goal scorer. I also think the Vipers or just about any junior team starting a new season needs that veteran goaltender between the pipes if they want to make any kind of run in the playoffs. With twenty year old goaltender Kirby Halcrow finishing his junior hockey career the Vipers are now left with 17 year old backup Danny Todosychuk. You have to wonder if Jason Williamson is working the phones over the off season looking at aquiring a veteran 19 or 20 yr old goaltender? My biggest question last season was the Vipers knew Halcrow wouldnt be returning, why didnt they bring in a older backup who could return this season as the teams #1?
Alot of questions heading into a new season. Will the Vipers announce anymore new recruits-commitments? Will we see any trades over the summer?
Here is a look at the Vipers returning players and committed players for this coming season.
Defence:
Brett Corkey "92"
Ryan Renz "93"
Michael Statchuk "94"
Marc Hetnik "92"
Geoff Crisfield "93"
Max Mowat "93"
Turner Lawson "94"
Forwards:
Landon Robin "94"
Adam Tambellini "94"
Aaron Hadley "93"
Colton Sparrow "93"
Jedd Soleway "94"
Brendan Persley "93"
Riley Hunt "95"
Goaltenders:
Danny Todosychuk "94"
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