Coach Honoured And Excited To Rejoin Vipers:

This is posted on the Kiss FM website:

Coach Honoured and Excited To Rejoin Vipers

Written by Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 23 September 2014

It was the right time to return to Vernon.

That's how Mark Ferner describes his decision to give up his job as an assistant coach with the Kamloops Blazers, to become the Vipers head coach.

"I want to be a head coach, an with the situation going on in Kamloops with Donnie Hay and his track record, I wasn't going to coach there, and GM Craig Bonner and I talked about that, and he agreed," Ferner tells Kiss FM.

The 49 year old Regina native, who was a head coach with the WHL's Everett Silvertips and Kamloops Blazers, says the decision was made easier by the fact he still owned a house in Vernon.

The returning coach says the Interior Division will be challenging.

"I've talked to a few coaches in the league and they can't believe how tight it is. There's no weak sisters in our division and it's going to be tough, but I'm looking forward to it."

Ferner guided the Vipers to three straight BCHL titles and two RBC Cups during his previous stint here.

Ferner, a 10th round draft pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft,  says Vipers owner Duncan Wray contacted Blazers GM Craig Bonner and asked for permission to talk with him.

"We did that, and it took some time, but he made me an offer (Sunday) and I'm excited and honoured to be back."

Wray says he had 28 applicants for the job previously held by Jason Williamson who resigned September 8 for personal reasons.

Wiliamson has since found a new job with the BCHL's Nanaimo Clippers as their director of scouting and recruitment.