Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Vipers Add Scoring & Toughness With Mulcahy & Chanter:

The Vipers pulled off two trades in less then four days aquiring Armstrong product Dylan Chanter and Kelowna native Brett Mulcahy. 

On Friday the Vipers traded veteran 20 yr old defenceman Jason Bird & future considerations to the Merritt Centennials for the CJHL playing rights of 18 yr old defenceman Dylan Chanter who had spent the first half of the season in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.  I noticed today the Vipers have added Chanter to their roster wich means a deal between the Vipers & Saints must be finished.  Lets hope Chanter will be in the Vipers lineup this weekend.  Im not sure if I like this trade just yet.  I guess I will have to see Chanter play.  I do remember the name but dont really remember much about him.  If I can remember I think he is a good skating d-man with a rugged style of play.  I hope Chanter has fully recovered from his injury back in October.  I really liked Jason Bird, for a player the Vipers basically got for nothing at last years BCHL trade deadline Bird added that veteran presence on the backend (was an assistant captain this year) and was the Vipers quaterback on the powerplay (atleast I thought).  This kid has a wicked shot (onetimer) from the point and had his most offensive season this year in Vernon.  Bird has really come along since last season and was just starting getting involved with the play, getting the puck out of the zone and gaining a ton of confidence rushing up ice.  Jason Williamson said they wanted some more size-toughness on the backend and get that with Dylan Chanter.  Sure Birds defensive play needs a little work but is Chanter going to replace Birds 23 points on the blueline?  If I was going to trade a 20 yr old to make room for Brett Mulcahy I think I would have kept Bird and traded Colton Sparrow. 

On Monday the Vipers added 20 yr old veteran forward Brett Mulcahy & future considerations from the Surrey Eagles for 19 yr old forward Chase McMurphy and future considerations.  I really like this deal and I think most Viper fans saw McMurphy was the odd man out if another trade were to happen before the deadline.  McMurphy who has speed and put up good numbers in the AJHL the past few seasons was brought in to add some scoring-speed up front.  It took the Alberta native a few games to get going with his new team before playing well the next five or six games before slowly tailing off the last ten games or so.  McMurphy who has basically been invinsible latley cooled off with just the odd scoring chance now and again.  McMurphy never really exceeded his expectations playing on the 4th line.  I think McMurphy needed to be on one of the Vipers top two lines where he can use his speed and scoring ability with some higher cailibre players.  With the addition of Mulcahy the Vipers get a veteran 20 yr old former Eagles captain who has experienced a long playoff run-trip to the Royal Bank Cup (last year) and some added depth up front.  My guess is Mulcahy will be on one of the Vipers top two units.  Im guessing Colton Sparrow will move down to the 3rd or 4th line.  Maybe Mulcahy can add some spark and generate some chemistry with Mason Blacklock who hasnt been the same since his return from a long term injury.  Maybe the two former team mates can both help each other playing on the same line.  Mulcahy is tied for third in scoring with Vernon and leads the Vipers with nine powerplay goals.

Mark Hamilton has gone home for shoulder surgery and the Vipers say he will be out for the remainder of the regular season.  Does this mean they are expecting him back for the playoffs-RBC Cup?  Im no doctor but I thought shoulder surgery is a good five to six months recovery? Atleast thats what I had heard from someone.  Hamilton wont be back next season, will he recover in time for the playoffs-RBC Cup?  Is it worth keeping him on a card?

With the BCHL trade deadline Friday night at 6pm the Vipers still have one card to play with.  Will we see the Vipers make another move?

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