Thursday, May 31, 2012

With The Addition Of Robinson Vipers Have Two Former Captains Behind The Bench:

Last week the Vernon Vipers announced the hiring of former Vipers captain David Robinson and former Vipers scout Jason Read as the teams two new Assistant Coaches.  After Chris Shaw was released by the Vipers it was a waiting game to see who Jason Williamson would bring in-hire as his new Assistant Coach. 

You gotta like former Vernon Vipers captain David Robinson as one choice for behind the bench.  Sure Robinson dosnt have any coaching experience but his knowlege of the game as a former Viper and his class that he showed on and off the ice with the Vipers in the past will be good for the young kids coming to play in Vernon.  Robinson who is a Vernon product, knew what it was to be a Viper, wore his heart on his sleeve and is a true leader on and off the ice.  He wanted nothing more then to bring Vernon another RBC Cup back in 2010 and now hopefully will have a shot as an Assistant Coach.  Robinson a heart and soul player played with alot of heart & emotion giving it his all every shift, Im sure he will now bring that behind the bench this coming season.  Robinson being younger was very well liked by everyone, will be able to approach the younger kids almost like a team mate, he will be able to relate to them on and off the ice.  I like the idea of having a third set of eyes behind the bench.  Robinson and Head Coach-GM Jason Williamson are now two former Viper captains that hopefully can turn around this Vipers team around after missing the BCHL playoffs for the first time in ten years.

As for Jason Read I dont really know much about him other then what was said in the media.  I think getting a guy that has 18 years of coaching experience and someone who strickly works with the defence is someone who the Vipers need and were lacking this past season.  The Vipers defence wasnt that good this past season and never improved much through out the season.  Sure a few kids improved very late in the season but defence was an area that the Vipers needed some work.  I think with Jason Williamson in just his second season as a head coach and GM and now David Robinson as the teams new rookie Assistant Coach, Read is the more veteran guy behind the bench that maybe both Robinson and Williamson and learn from and all three can add a little bit of their own hockey experiences to this years coming Vipers team.  Im excited to see both Robinson and Read behind the bench with Williamson.

Best of luck to the Vipers new coaching staff this coming season!

Here is a look back at some previous former Vernon Laker-Viper players that also got behind the bench in past years with the Lakers & Vipers (If Im missing any please let me know)

Jason Williamson

(Player) Vernon Vipers 2000-2002 (Assistant Coach) Vernon Vipers 2008-2011 (Head Coach-GM) Vernon Vipers 2011-

David Robinson

(Player) Vernon Vipers 2009-2011) (Assistant Coach) Vernon Vipers 2012-

Troy Mick

(Player) Vernon Lakers 1984-1986 (Assistant Coach) Vernon Lakers-Vipers 1993-1996 (Head Coach-GM) Vernon Vipers 1997-2000 & 2005-06

Spencer Ward

(Player) Vernon Lakers 1992-1995 (Assistant Coach) Vernon Vipers 2000-2001

Bob Dever

(Player) Vernon Lakers 1986-87 (Assistant Coach) Vernon Vipers 2001-2004

Shawn Bourgeois

(Player) Vernon Lakers 1991-1993 (Assistant Coach) Vernon Vipers 2001-2004

Keith Chase

(Player) Vernon Lakers 1982-1988 (Assistant Coach) Vernon Lakers 1988-1991

Kori Davison

(Player) Vernon Vipers 1996-2000 (Assistant Coach) Vernon Vipers 2005-06

Ed Johnstone

(Player) Vernon Essos 1970-71 (Assistant Coach) Vernon Lakers 1987-88 (Head Coach-GM) Vernon Lakers 1988-1992

Ernie Gare

(Player) Vernon Essos 1970-1972 (Head Coach) Vernon Lakers 1986-1988


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