The Vernon Vipers have made four deals within the last two weeks. The Vipers who recently aquired former Red Deer Rebel defenceman Spencer Morse traded him to West Kelowna for future considerations to aquire 19 yr old d-man Riley Guenther from the Prince Albert Raiders. Then earlier this past week the Vipers delt second year forward Craig Martin to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs along with future considerations for 19 yr old defenceman Jared Wilson. And in the final trade this past week the Vipers aquired 19 yr old forward Josh Betinol from the Battlesford Northstars for future considerations.
I was a little surprised the Vipers delt defenceman Spencer Morse after only playing in just four games. Did Morse ask for a trade or did the Vipers think picking up Guenther was a better fit to replace Morse? I was also a little surprised that the Vipers delt Morse to a team in the Interior Division. I thought Morse was a big body who played fairly well for the Vipers. A more shutdown kinda guy that wasnt the quickest skater. In Guenther the Vipers land a very quick puck moving d-man that likes to get involved in the play, jumps up into the rush and makes that first good pass out of the defensive zone. Sees and reads the ice well, I really like Guenther so far and think he adds alot to the Vernon blueline. I think Jr A is a little more suitable for Guenther compared to the WHL.
In the third trade myself and alot of other Viper fans were shocked to see the Vipers trade Craig Martin. Martin who was out for 19 games with an injury missed a good chunk of the season last year. I thought Martin was playing very well to start the season and seemed to have some chemistry going with his line. I guess the Bulldogs were wanting to get a good-solid player back in return, with not alot of scoring this season Im sure this is why they went after Martin. I was sad to see him go but I guess to get a good solid second year d-man your going to have to give up somebody good in return. I saw Jared Wilson play Saturday for the first time and thought he played well on the Vipers backend. A big kid that likes to jump up into the play-rush really sees and reads the ice well but is also very dependable defensively.
In the fourth and final deal that went down last week I watched Josh Betinol for the first time in Salmon Arm. Betinol may not be the biggest kid but boy can he skate, very quick, can skate well, plays with alot of energy-intensity and works very hard every shift. Probally the hardest working Viper Saturday night. Betinol will add some speed and energy to the Vipers lineup.
With all these recent additions the Vipers are now stuck with eight defencemen, meaning somebody will have to go once Captain Ryan Renz returns to the lineup. Who will that be? Thats a good question.
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