Black Inks With Salmon Arm SilverBacks:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Black inks with Salmon Arm SilverBacks

Published: May 31, 2013

Aaron Volpatti, Chris Crowell, twins Connor and Kellen Jones, Hunter Bishop, Kyle Bigos, Adam Tambellini – these are all players who wore a Vernon Vipers’ jersey thanks in part to Larry Black.

As head scout for the Vipers for the last six years (he was a regional scout for five years before that), Black helped source the talent that won the Snakes back-to-back Royal Bank Cup Championships in 2009 and ‘10, plus a runner-up showing in ‘11.

Unable to come to a new contract agreement with the Vipers, Black, who turns 65 in July, will now be plying his trade with the rival Salmon Arm SilverBacks as their new assistant GM and director of player personnel.

“It was totally a financial decision,” said Vernon head coach/GM Jason Williamson.

“We wanted to keep Larry Black as part of the Vernon Vipers. We just couldn’t meet the financial needs, and Salmon Arm offered that and more.”

Black (affectionately known as Blackie to friends and colleagues) was also disappointed a deal couldn’t be reached, especially with Vernon hosting the RBC Cup in May 2014. But he understands the business side of junior hockey, and he is now looking forward to rekindling a partnership with Salmon Arm head coach/GM Troy Mick.

The two previously worked together when Mick coached Vernon from 1997-2000.

“It’s been a bit of a shock. It’s tough getting my head around going to work for another team,” said Black.

“But I’m excited to get back working with Troy. We’ve worked together well in the past and I respect his abilities as a general manager. It’s a good opportunity for me.”

Black’s appointment will help free up Mick to focus more on his duties as head coach. Last season, Mick stepped away from the bench early on to focus more on front office operations and scouting.

Said Mick: “Larry brings a wealth of knowledge to the SilverBacks, on and off the ice. He is a proven winner and has an eye for recruits like no other.”

Black, a Revelstoke native, ran the Grizzlies Junior B program there for six years in the 90s. At the time, the team was affiliated with Mike Vandekamp’s Merritt Centennials, and when Vandekamp joined the Vipers as head coach in 2001-02, he brought Black on as a regional scout.

Black lives in Vernon with wife Gay (he has three grown children and five grandchildren all living in the area), and has worked with five Vernon head coaches in 11 years – Vandekamp, Mick, Bernie Pimm, Mark Holick, Mark Ferner and Williamson.

In place of a head scout, Williamson plans to use a system of regional talent seekers throughout North America to assess players. He added this is typical of how other BCHL teams operate.

Meanwhile, the SilverBacks announced the finalized sale of the team by Randy Williams to a new ownership group led by majority owner Dale Unruh of Fort MacMurray.

Unruh is the CEO of the Quality Group of Companies and is on the executive committee of Edge School society board, an Alberta sports academy located near Calgary.

“Our group is extremely proud and grateful to be involved with the Salmon Arm SilverBacks and the Salmon Arm community at large,” said Unruh, who will also serve as the SilverBacks’ governor.