Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Vernon-Merritt Trade:

The Merritt Centennials have traded the BCHL Playing Rights of 18

year old goaltender Johnny Hicks to the Vernon Vipers for future considerations.

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Vipers And Cents Swing Another Deal | Vernon Vipers

Hicks is currently playing with the Alberta Junior Hockey League Brooks Bandits.

Hicks leaves Centennials For Brooks Bandits:

Kamloops goalie leaves Merritt signs with Brooks Bandits of AJHL | CFJC Today Kamloops

Bandits sign Hicks:

Bandits sign 2005-born goaltender Johnny Hicks | Brooks Bandits

Hicks won a Gold Medal with Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge

Kamloops’ Johnny Hicks returns golden from World Junior A Challenge | CFJC Today Kamloops

Johnny Hicks Player Profile:

Johnny Hicks - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

9 comments:

Bobby C said...

Not sure what the purpose of this trade was for. He's got a 23 Win and 3 Loss record this year on a National Championship team that looks like they will repeat again so I doubt if he would ever even report to the Vipers

Anonymous said...

Brooks acquired a 20 y/o from Spruce so it looks like the Vipers have another goalie

vipersdiehardfan said...

I wonder if either Diego Johnson or Johnny Hicks will join the Vipers this season? Why would the Vipers acquire two players who currently play for other teams in other leagues knowing they won't play here. Do the Vipers know something the fans don't?

Viper fan said...

Did anyone else notice that Palmer and Duda are not listed on the roster anymore. Anyone know what happened?

Bob McInnes said...

The purpose of the Percic for Johnson trade was to open a spot on the Viper roster for the addition of Patrik Kral. Teams can only have two players from outside North America. Now they are Csabi and Kral. Diego Johnson is committed to NCAA for next season. It's a longshot if he'll come to Vernon but strange things happen sometimes.

Hicks is from Kamloops and the Vipers might be able to get him for next season so he can play in front of Mom and Dad. Overriding both of these trades is that Merritt always is short of finances for their team. Merritt gave up rights to a couple of players no longer on their team, likely for money. Future considerations are code words for money.

Anonymous said...

I thought Palmer and Duda were injured???

vipersdiehardfan said...

Jordin Palmer, Noah Dorey, Julian Facchinelli & Owen King are injured. Jiri Duda didn't play last game but no official word from the Vipers if he was a healthy scratch or injured.

Anonymous said...

McKee cut Palmer and Duda!!!! Needed the roster spots for the new signings. This is where Vipers management needs to improve in communicating with it's fanbase. If (a big if) they helped find those two boys new teams to play on, then good on the Vipers. If McKee said your cut, nice knowing you, then as a Viper fan and Vernon resident I will be outraged and ASHAMED of my team. I suspect it's the latter and if it is that will be the end of my supporting the Vernon Vipers.

Bobby C said...

Ask Maks Percic how he found out that he was no longer wanted by the Vipers. You won't be surprised