The Vernon Vipers have made a few roster moves over the last month or so and with the BCHL Card deadline just less then four weeks away, will we see anymore deals before the December 1st deadline?
Sunday the Vipers aquired 19 yr old forward Chase McMurphy from the AJHL Calgary Mustangs for 19 yr old forward Josh Betinol and future considerations. Betinol who was recently aquired from the SJHL Battlefords Northstars added alot of energy & spark to the lineup. Betinol not the biggest kid could skate, played with alot of jump and energy and seemed to give the Vipers some spark every shift. I dont know much about McMurphy other then he has some size, put up some good numbers three years in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Calgary Mustangs. This season McMurphy was playing with the USHL Tri-City Storm playing in just six games collecting one assist. With forwards Demico Hannoun at the World Junior A Challenge for this week-weekend and Mason Blacklock injured the Vipers are missing-playing without two of there top skilled players. McMurphy adds some size up front, depth and can add some offence-skill. The Vipers who have had troubles scoring goals especially the last handfull of games need to add a little more depth to the lineup, hopefully McMurphy can add some scoring. McMurphy is heading to Alaska Fairbanks next season will make his Vipers debut Friday night.
Here are some highlight's of Chase McMurphy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SyrO8vR7mE&list=PLB3A21628C8D47428&index=1
Last week the Vipers traded rookie Mike Iovanna to Prince George for future considerations. One of the Vipers recruits this off season I was pretty dissapointed in Iovanna. Hes not the biggest kid, looked lost at times and maybe not ready for the jump to Jr A this season. The Vipers put Iovanna on a "AP" card early in the season before recently playing with Vernon the last few weeks on a regular night. I do admit he did seem to slowly come along the last few weeks looking and playing with alot more confidence. With the Vipers having eight defencemen I was a little surprised to see Iovanna-a forward traded and not a d-man. Ive said this several times over the years, how many times have Viper fans seen a top recruit released or traded away within the first few months? Alex Hagen, Todd Skirving, Drew George, Joe Young, and now Iovanna just to name some off the top of my head. You have to wonder if the rest of the league-teams are having the same problem? I think for alot of these young kids, making the big jump to Jr A from either midget or high school hockey, leaving home at a young age is a huge jump and some kids cant handle it. I also think pumping these kids tires over the off season puts-adds alot of pressure on them when they are here and not performing.
The Vipers lost another recruit in Dallas Calvin a few weeks back. No the Vipers didnt trade Calvin it was a personal decission to leave the Vipers and return home to play in the KIJHL again. I was pretty dissapointed to see Calvin leave the Vipers. I really liked him and thought he was a good addition to the Vipers lineup this season. A big body that played physical, was hard to knock off the puck, good down low and in and around the net. Wasnt the most fastest-greatest skater but seemed to be playing well as a rookie early in the year. In 11 games this season with Beaver Valley Calvin has (10-11-21).
I heard from a few fans at the last two Viper games that Austin Smith is close to returning to the lineup (I heard this weekend). When Smith returns the Vipers will be with three goaltenders, wich of the three will be traded? Do the Vipers continue to roll with Danny Todosychuk and Austin Smith or will one of these two be delt and newcomer Michael Stiliadis remain in Vernon? Remember Smith wont be back next season (20 yr old) the Vipers could get alot in return for a veteran 20 yr old goaltender but will be hard to move as only a top team-contending team will be looking for a veteran 20 yr old goaltender. A team that is looking for a veteran goaltender isnt willing to give up a top notch player in return, usally willing to part ways with a younger kid the following season (future considerations). The Vipers would then have Todosychuk and Stiliadis both eligible to return next season. My question is Todosychuk is in his third season with the Vipers, at one point the kid is going to want to play and play lots (be the #1) If the Vipers keep Stiliadis both goaltenders will want to be the #1 next season. Will both return to Vernon and one settle as the backup as a 20 yr old? Stiliadis has played fairly well for the Vipers and if traded could be valuable to some team. The Vipers could package Stiliadis and another player and get a solid player in return. The Vipers coaching staff-management has a tough situation to deal with.
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