I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following Junior hockey in Vernon my whole life. My family watched Senior men's hockey in Vernon in the 1950's and has been watching Junior hockey in Vernon since it started in 1961. I have two family members that played Junior hockey in Vernon. I have had season tickets since 1990 missing only 40 home games. Since 2001 I have missed 10 home games. I started and created this blog in November 2008 and have over 3 million viewers. For anyone who couldn't watch or attend tonight's Vipers game, here are my thoughts and views from tonight's hockey game. You may agree or disagree, but we all have our own opinion on the hockey game and see things differently. I try to be professional and give a fare game recap from both sides. Thank you for visiting my blog.
Friday, February 28, 2025
Game Recap - Vernon Vipers 4 Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2
I was at today's game between the Vernon Vipers & Alberni Valley Bulldogs as the Vipers defeated the Bulldogs 4-2 in front of 2,007 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon Vipers: Jari Kykkanen
Alberni Valley Bulldogs: Colin Winn
To continue reading, please click the "read more" button below,
Game Preview: Alberni Valley Bulldogs @ Vernon Vipers:
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7pm
Tonight is the first and only regular season meeting between the Vernon Vipers & Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Overtime Wins: 1
Vernon Vipers Regular Season Record/Stats vs the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (League website only back as far as the 2003-04 regular season)
Games Played: 32
Wins: 22
Losses: 4
Overtime Losses: 3
Shootout Wins: 1
Shootout Losses: 1
Tie: 2
Overtime Record: 1-1
Shootout Record: 1-1
Home Record: 12-1-2-0-0
Road Record: 8-3-1-1-1Vernon Vipers BCHL Showcase Record/Stats vs the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. (BCHL Showcase started in 2012)
To continue reading, please click the "read more" button below,
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Komets Place Ex Viper Tufto On 3-Day Injured Reserve:
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forward Odeen Tufto on 3-day injured reserve.
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The league serves as a farm system to the AHL and the National Hockey League (NHL).
Here is the report from the ECHL website,
Tufto is in his first season with the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets. The Komets signed Tufto August 6th 2024. In 36 games Tufto has (12-goals-26-assists-38-points).
Tufto split the 2023-24 season with the ECHL Iowa Heartlanders & EHC Olten. The Komets are Tufto's seventh team in the last four years.
Tufto started the 2023-24 season with the Heartlanders, after signing as a free agent July 14th 2023. Tufto was suspended by the Heartlanders December 30th 2023 & removed him from their roster. In 29 games, Tufto collected (3-goals-19-assists-22-points). Tufto signed with EHC Olten March 1st 2024. EHC Olten is a Swiss professional ice hockey team based in Olten, Switzerland. It plays in the Swiss League, the second tier ice hockey league in Switzerland. In 10 games, Tufto collected (2 goals-5-assists-7-points).
Tufto played four seasons at Quinnipiac University from 2017-2021 before signing his first professional contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning March 31st 2021. The Lightning assigned Tufto to the American Hockey League Syracuse Crunch after his college season ended in 2021. Tufto has never played a game with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tufto played one season in Vernon with the 2015-16 Vernon Vipers. In 57 games with the Vipers, Tufto collected (25-goals-40-assists-65-points). Tufto left the Vipers after one season for the United States Hockey League. Tufto played one season in the USHL with Fargo, Tri-City & Sioux City before committing to Quinnipiac University for the 2017-18 season.
Reading Royals Place Former Viper Skirving On Reserve:
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Todd Skirving on reserve.
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The league serves as a farm system to the AHL and the National Hockey League (NHL).
Here is the transaction from the ECHL website,
Skirving is in his first season with the ECHL Reading Royals. The Royals signed Skirving July 29th 2024. In 39 games, Skirving has (11-goals-8-assists-19-points).
Skirving split the 2023-24 season with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers & ECHL Florida Everblades. Skirving and the Everblades won the 2024 Kelly Cup.
Skirving spent the past five seasons with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers before joining the Everblades in April 2024. The Everblades signed Skirving April 6th 2024. The Royals are Skirvings seventh team in seven years.
The League’s Board of Governors voted to terminate the Membership of the Newfoundland Growlers, effective immediately, for failure to fulfill its obligations under the ECHL Bylaws. The ECHL and Professional Hockey Players’ Association have agreed that as per the ECHL/PHPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, all ECHL Contracted Players on the Newfoundland roster are Unrestricted Free Agents, however no ECHL Member may sign more than two (2) Players from the free agent pool of Newfoundland Players. Any Player from this pool who signs and finishes the Season with a new ECHL Member for the balance of the 2023-24 Season shall be ineligible for that Member's Protected List and shall become an Unrestricted Free Agent at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Season.
Skirving didn't play professional hockey during the 2020-21 season as the Growlers decided to opt out of the 2020-21 season under the ECHL's COVID-19 Voluntary Suspension Policy. Skirving spent the 2020-21 season as an Assistant Coach with the BCHL expansion Cranbrook Bucks. Skirving and the Bucks went 3-16-0-1 during the 2020-21 pod season.
Skirving played four years at Rochester Institute of Technology from 2013-2017 before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears August 3rd 2017. Skirving spent the 2017-18 season playing with Orlando, Utah and Atlanta before signing a professional contract with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers October 16th 2018.
Skirving committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2010-11 season. Skirving played with the 2010-11 Vernon Vipers. The Vipers traded Skirving and future considerations to the Prince George Spruce Kings January 10th 2011 for Ryan Renz. In 34 games with the Vipers, Skirving collected (4-goals-5-assists-9-points).
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Vernon Council Agrees To Spend $825,000 On New Scoreboard For Kal Tire Place:
Here is the story from vernonmatters.ca,
Vernon to invest in new video scoreboard for Kal Tire Place | Vernon Matters
Here is the story from castanet.net,
Solar Bears Sign Ex Vernon Viper Taylor:
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goaltender Ty Taylor.
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The league serves as a farm system to the AHL and the National Hockey League (NHL).
Here is the press release from the Orlando Solar Bears website,
This is the third time this season the Solar Bears have signed Taylor.
Taylor was invited to the ECHL Utah Grizzlies training camp in early October on a try-out. Taylor never played a game with the Grizzlies was released before the 2024-25 season started and returned to the SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts. In 16 games this season with the Thunderboldts, Taylor is 5-6-3 with a 2.21 GAA The ECHL Orlando Solar Bears signed Taylor January 2nd 2025. Taylor never played a game with the Solar Bears, was released January 6th 2025. The ECHL Reading Royals signed Taylor January 15th 2025. Taylor played 1 game with the Royals, going 0-1 with a 3.60 GAA before being released January 31st 2025. The Orlando Solar Bears signed Taylor for a second time this season January 30th 2025. Taylor played 1 game with the Solar Bears, going 1-0 with a 1.90 GAA before being released February 4th 2025.
Taylor started the 2023-24 season with the SPHL Macon Mayhem. The Mayhem signed Taylor August 29th 2023. Taylor attended the Mayhem training camp but never played a game before being released mid October 2023. Taylor played the 2023-24 season with the SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts. The Thunderbolts signed Taylor November 29th 2023. In 18 games last season, Taylor went 6-8 with a 2.69 GAA The SPHL (formerly the Southern Professional Hockey League) is a professional ice hockey independent minor league based in Huntersville, North Carolina, with teams located primarily in the southeastern United States as well as Illinois and Indiana in the midwestern United States.
Taylor played three seasons at the University of New Hampshire from 2018-2021 before transferring to Grant MacEwan University for the 2021-22 season, for his final year of college hockey. Taylor signed his first professional contract with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears February 24th 2022. Taylor played one game with the Solar Bears before the American Hockey League Syracuse Crunch signed Taylor March 13th 2022. Taylor didn’t play a game with the Crunch, before being released April 28th 2022.
Taylor was drafted 214th overall in Round 7 by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The Lightning traded Taylor March 6th 2024 to the Anaheim Ducks, the Ducks then traded Taylor March 6th 2024 to the Edmonton Oilers in a three team trade.
Taylor played two seasons in Vernon from 2016-2018. In 60 games with the Vipers, Taylor went 36-17-5 with 8 shutouts and a 2.38 GAA Taylor holds the franchise record for most shutouts in one season with 7 during the 2017-18 season. Taylor along with Michael Garteig & Brad Thiessen hold the BCHL record with most shutouts in a season with 7 each.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
An Advisers Life Podcast – The Future Of The BCHL:
Here is the video from The Junior Hockey News YouTube page,
Senators Will Honour Vipers Alumni Hammond:
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Andrew Hammond March 1st
Here is the press release from nhl.com,
Here is the story from ctvnews.ca,
Hammond played parts of six seasons in the NHL, played professional hockey from 2013-2022. Hammond announced his retirement from professional hockey December 19th 2022. Hammond last played professional hockey with four different teams during the 2021-22 season.
Hammond played four years at Bowling Green University from 2009-2013 before signing his first professional contract with the Ottawa Senators March 20th 2013.
Hammond made his NHL/Senators debut February 27th 2014 vs the Detroit Red Wings. Hammond recorded his first NHL victory February 18th 2015 making 42 saves in a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Hammond is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 21 wins in his first 27 career NHL games.
Hammond played parts of two seasons in Vernon from 2007-2009. The Surrey Eagles traded Hammond to Vernon during the 2007-08 season. In 52 games with the Vipers, Hammond went 33-15-1 with 6 shutouts.
Monday, February 24, 2025
Former Vernon Laker Ryan Scores Three Goals In Skate For LA Strong Game:
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Here is the press release from nhl.com,
Ryan last played professional hockey in 2003 before signing a Standard Player Contract (SPC) with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers January 14th 2024. Ryan went pointless in one game with the Growlers, was released January 16th 2024.
Ryan recently helped Canada win the 2023 International Street & Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) Master’s World Championships. Ryan is also a supporting cast member on Crave’s original Shoresy (a spinoff of Letterkenny) also hosts his own popular podcast, guests on another and continues to book TV gigs.
After four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Tri-City Americans, Ryan was drafted 8th overall by the Montreal Canadians in Round 1 of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. Ryan signed his first professional contract in 1996 with the American Hockey League Fredericton Canadiens. Ryan spent parts of seven seasons in the NHL, AHL, IHL, WCHL, ECHL & ACHL from 1997-2003 with ten different teams (Montreal, Fredericton, Utah, Long Beach, St. John's, Colorado, Hershey, Idaho, Cincinnati & Orlando).
Ryan started his Junior hockey career with the 1991-92 Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League Quesnel Millionaires. Ryan played parts of two seasons in Quesnel from 1991-93 before joining the Vernon Lakers during the 1992-93 season. Ryan left the Vernon Lakers during the 1992-93 season for the Western Hockey League Tri-City Americans. In 9 games with the Lakers, Ryan collected (5-goals-6-assists-11-points).
The Vernon Lakers were around from 1980-1995 before changing their name to the Vernon Vipers in 1995.
Staff Seeking Approval From City Of Vernon For New Scoreboard For Kal Tire Place:
Here is the story from castanet.net,
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Vernon Vipers-Brooks Bandits Highlights:
Image credit: Brooks Bandits
Here are the highlights from the Brooks Bandits YouTube page,
Ex Viper David Named Atlantic Hockey American Goaltender Of The Week:
Here is the press release from the RIT Tigers website,
David named AHA Goaltender of the Week - Rochester Institute of Technology Athletics
David is in his first season with the Tigers, is 3-3-1 with 1 shutout and a 2.75 GAA
David committed to the Vernon Vipers February 12th 2021 for the 2021-22 season. David played three seasons with the Vernon Vipers from 2021-2024. In 83 games with the Vipers, David went 44-29 with 10 shutouts and a 2.82 GAA
Ethan David's Player Profile:
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Game Recap - Brooks Bandits 7 Vernon Vipers 1
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Vernon Vipers @ Brooks Bandits Saturday, February 22, 2025 | BCHL League Site
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Official statistics powered by LeagueStat.com
Game Preview: Vernon Vipers @ Brooks Bandits:
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Bandits 6pm
Tonight is the fourth and final regular season meeting between the Vernon Vipers & Brooks Bandits.
Vernon Vipers Regular Season Record/Stats vs the Brooks Bandits since 2024 (The Brooks Bandits
franchise joined the BCHL in February 2024)
franchise joined the BCHL in February 2024)
Wins: 0
Losses: 3
Overtime Wins: 0
Overtime Losses: 0
Shootout Wins: 0
Shootout Losses: 0
Overtime Record: 0-0
Shootout Record: 0-0
Home Record: 0-2-0-0
Road Record: 0-1-0-0
Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise History:
1961-1962 Vernon Jr Canadians
1962-1967 Vernon Blades
1967-1973 Vernon Essos
1973-1978 Vernon Vikings
1979-1980 No team
1980-1995 Vernon Lakers
1995-Present Vernon Vipers
To continue reading, please click the "read more" button below,
Watt's 2nd Period Goal
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Here is the goal from the BCHL X page,
Ryan Watt's Player Profile:
Friday, February 21, 2025
Game Recap - Okotoks Oilers 3 Vernon Vipers 1
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Vernon Vipers @ Okotoks Oilers Friday, February 21, 2025 | BCHL League Site
Game Report,
Text Box Score,
Vernon Junior Hockey History website,
Vernon Vipers Add Heidecker To Roster:
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their roster. No official press release from the Vernon Vipers but Heidecker is listed on the teams roster.
Vernon Vipers Roster,
Vernon Vipers Roster 2024-25 Regular Season | BCHL League Site
Heidecker was selected 101st overall in the 5th round by the Tri-City Americans in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
18 Okanagan players selected in WHL draft - Penticton Western News
Brock Heidecker's Player Profile:
Game Preview: Vernon Vipers @ Okotoks Oilers:
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Tonight is the fourth and final regular season meeting between the Vernon Vipers & Okotoks Oilers.
Vernon Vipers Regular Season Record/Stats vs the Okotoks Oilers since 2024 (The Okotoks Oilers franchise joined the BCHL in February 2024)
Wins: 2
Losses: 1
Overtime Wins: 0
Overtime Losses: 0
Shootout Wins: 0
Shootout Losses: 0
Overtime Record: 0-0
Shootout Record: 0-0
Home Record: 2-0-0-0
Road Record: 0-1-0-0
To continue reading, please click the "read more" button below,
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Ice Flyers Trade Ex Viper Ho To Peoria:
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The SPHL (formerly the Southern Professional Hockey League) is a professional ice hockey independent minor league based in Huntersville, North Carolina, with teams located primarily in the southeastern United States as well as Illinois and Indiana in the midwestern United States.
Here is the transaction from the SPHL website,
Ho played three seasons at Lakehead University from 2021-2024 was invited to the ECHL Tahoe Knight Monsters training camp in early October on a try-out. Ho never played a game with the Knight Monsters was released before the 2024-25 season started.
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The league serves as a farm system to the AHL and the National Hockey League (NHL). On July 10, 2023, the ECHL awarded an expansion team to the Lake Tahoe area to start play in the 2024–25 season. On July 16, 2024, the Knight Monsters announced a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Ho played with the 2018-19 Vernon Vipers. Ho played parts of two seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Vancouver Giants from 2016-2018 before signing with the Vernon Vipers November 30th 2018. In 30 games with the Vipers, Ho collected (3-goals-9-assists-12-points). The Vipers traded Ho, Will Dow-Kenny, Coleton Bilodeau & future considerations June 26th 2019 to the Central Canada Hockey League Kanata Lasers for Connor Sleeth.
Orlando Solar Bears Release Vipers Alumni Taylor:
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goaltender Ty Taylor.
The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The league serves as a farm system to the AHL and the National Hockey League (NHL).
Here is the transaction from the ECHL website,
Taylor was invited to the ECHL Utah Grizzlies training camp in early October on a try-out. Taylor never played a game with the Grizzlies was released before the 2024-25 season started and returned to the SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts. In 16 games this season with the Thunderboldts, Taylor is 5-6-3 with a 2.21 GAA The ECHL Orlando Solar Bears signed Taylor January 2nd 2025. Taylor never played a game with the Solar Bears, was released January 6th 2025. The ECHL Reading Royals signed Taylor January 15th 2025. Taylor played 1 game with the Royals, going 0-1 with a 3.60 GAA before being released January 31st 2025. The Orlando Solar Bears signed Taylor for a second time this season January 30th 2025. Taylor played 1 game with the Solar Bears, going 1-0 with a 1.90 GAA
Taylor started the 2023-24 season with the SPHL Macon Mayhem. The Mayhem signed Taylor August 29th 2023. Taylor attended the Mayhem training camp but never played a game before being released mid October 2023. Taylor played the 2023-24 season with the SPHL Evansville Thunderbolts. The Thunderbolts signed Taylor November 29th 2023. In 18 games last season, Taylor went 6-8 with a 2.69 GAA The SPHL (formerly the Southern Professional Hockey League) is a professional ice hockey independent minor league based in Huntersville, North Carolina, with teams located primarily in the southeastern United States as well as Illinois and Indiana in the midwestern United States.
Taylor played three seasons at the University of New Hampshire from 2018-2021 before transferring to Grant MacEwan University for the 2021-22 season, for his final year of college hockey. Taylor signed his first professional contract with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears February 24th 2022. Taylor played one game with the Solar Bears before the American Hockey League Syracuse Crunch signed Taylor March 13th 2022. Taylor didn’t play a game with the Crunch, before being released April 28th 2022.
Taylor was drafted 214th overall in Round 7 by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The Lightning traded Taylor March 6th 2024 to the Anaheim Ducks, the Ducks then traded Taylor March 6th 2024 to the Edmonton Oilers in a three team trade.
Taylor played two seasons in Vernon from 2016-2018. In 60 games with the Vipers, Taylor went 36-17-5 with 8 shutouts and a 2.38 GAA Taylor holds the franchise record for most shutouts in one season with 7 during the 2017-18 season. Taylor along with Michael Garteig & Brad Thiessen hold the BCHL record with most shutouts in a season with 7 each.
Otters Name Former Vernon Vipers Associate Coach Mallette New Head Coach:
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Vernon Vipers Associate Coach Kris Mallette new Head Coach.
Here is the press release from the Erie Otters website,
Mallette spent parts of the past eleven seasons as Assistant Coach & Head Coach of the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets. Mallette was fired January 10th 2025.
Mallette was also Head Coach of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, an Assistant Coach with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team last season, an Assistant Coach with Hockey Canada's Under 18 team at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup & Head Coach of Canada Red U17 2021-22 team.
Mallette is a Kelowna Rockets Alumni (1996-1999) has been with the Rockets for the past eleven seasons. Mallette spent six seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Rockets from 2014-2020 before being named Head Coach March 2nd 2020.
Mallette played ten seasons in the ECHL, UHL, CHL & IHL with Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Ashville, Elmira, Colorado, Youngstown, Laredo & Flint from 2000-2009 before retiring from professional hockey in 2009. Mallette spent three seasons in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League as an Assistant Coach & Head Coach of the North Okanagan Knights from 2010-2013.
Mallette spent one season in Vernon as an Associate Coach with the 2013-14 Vernon Vipers. Mallette left the Vipers after the 2013-14 season, returning to Kelowna in 2014. Mallette was named Rockets Assistant Coach July 4th 2014.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
An Advisers Life Podcast – More Changes Coming For Junior Hockey:
Here is the video from the Junior Hockey News YouTube page,
Burns Rejoins Steinbach Pistons:
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has returned to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Steinbach Pistons. No official press release from the team but Burns is listed on the teams roster.
Steinbach Pistons Roster,
Steinbach Pistons Roster 2024-25 Regular Season | Steinbach Pistons
Burns played parts of the 2023-24 & 2024-25 seasons with the Steinbach Pistons before signing with the Brooks Bandits December 27th 2024. The Bandits traded Burns to the Vernon Vipers February 10th 2025 for forward Luke Bibby. Burns never reported to the Vipers.
Shane Burns Player Profile:
Skeltins Placed On Season-Ending Injured Reserve:
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ending injured reserve.
Here is the report from the BCHL website,
Injured Reserve | BCHL League Site
Skeltins left the Vernon Vipers/Brooks Bandits game February 2nd 2025 with an injury and never returned. In 4 games with the Vipers, Skeltins has (0-goals-0-assists-0-points). The Vipers signed Skeltins January 10th 2025.
Emils Skeltins Player Profile:
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Vernon Vipers 2025 Chapel Program:
Here is the Vernon Vipers chapel program video from the Vernon Vipers YouTube page,
Kal Tire Place Score Clock:
Here is the story from the Morning Star,
Vernon council briefs: Policing, new scoreboard, tax hike - Vernon Morning Star
Ex Viper Schumacher Scores Twice In Grizzlies Debut:
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Image credit: Victoria Grizzlies
Boxscore-Game Summary,
Powell River Kings @ Victoria Grizzlies Saturday, February 15, 2025 | BCHL League Site
Here is the press release from the Victoria Grizzlies website,
New Additions Shine In Grizzlies Victory Over Powell River | Victoria Grizzlies
Schumacher played the 2024-25 season with the Vernon Vipers before being traded to Victoria. The Vipers signed Schumacher September 18th 2024. The Vipers traded Schumacher, the playing rights to Georgios Stavrianeas and future considerations to Victoria February 10th 2025 for Ryan Watt & Finn Kallay. In 37 games with the Vipers, Schumacher collected (14-goals-21-assists-35-points).
Will Schumacher's Player Profile:
Monday, February 17, 2025
Martin's Second Goal:
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goal of the hockey game at 13:56 of the 2nd period, giving the hometown Salmon Arm Silverbacks a 5-2 lead.
Here is Maddux Martin's goal from the BCHL X page,
Maddux Martin's Player Profile:
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