vipersdiehardfan blog: MId-Season Report With Matt Cooke:

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

MId-Season Report With Matt Cooke:

Graham Turnbull sits down with Vernon Vipers Head Coach/GM Matt Cooke to discuss the first half of the 2025-26 season.

Image credit: Vernon Vipers

From Vernon Vipers YouTube page,

MId-Season Report with Matt Cooke

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Vernon Vipers Previous Captains:

1995-96 Jeff Cheeseman
1996-97 Vic Sharma
1997-98 Adam Stewart
1998-99 Lennie Rampone
1999-00 Kori Davison
2000-01 Jason Williamson
2001-02 JasonWilliamson
2002-03 Chad Murray
2003-04 Jake Wilkens
2004-05 Mark Nelson
2005-06 Andy Zulyniak
2006-07 Matt Swerhone-Mike Ullrich
2007-08 Chris Crowell
2008-09 Chris Crowell
2009-10 Kevin Kraus
2010-11 David Robinson
2011-12 Patrick McGillis
2012-13 Brett Corkey
2013-14 Ryan Renz
2014-15 Riley Guenther
2015-16 Colton McCarthy
2016-17 Riley Brandt
2017-18 Jagger Williamson
2018-19 Jagger Williamson
2019-20 Connor Marritt
2020-21 No Captain
2021-22 Jo Jo Tanaka-Campbell
2022-23 Seiya Tanaka-Campbell
2023-24 Connor Elliott
2024-25 Erik Pastro

2025-26 Keagan McMillan

The Vernon Civic Arena was home of senior mens and junior hockey in Vernon since the late 1930's.

The Vernon Vipers left the Civic Arena in 2001 moving into the Vernon Multi-Plex (Now Kal Tire Place) in 2001.

The first hockey game was played at the Civic Arena January 6th 1938 between the Vancouver Lions and Spokane Clippers with the final junior hockey game played January 6th 2018 between the Vernon Vipers & Prince George Spruce Kings. Prince George defeated Vernon 3-2 before a sellout crowd of 2,380

The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1982 through the vision of Vernon resident and sports enthusiast, Nick Alexis. With the support of Vernon City Council, Alexis and a dedicated group of volunteers created a series of outdoor exhibits celebrating the region’s dynamic sporting history in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. That same year, the new organization unveiled its first round of inductees to the Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2001, the Hall of Fame moved its exhibits into the newly constructed Vernon Multiplex now known as Kal Tire Place.

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Record Holders:

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Points Leaders:

1. Jim Lawrence 244 Points
2. Nick Kapicki 217 Points
3. Scott Longstaff 208 Points
4. Mark Nelson 207 Points
5. John Price 201 Points

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Assists Leaders:

1. Jim Lawrence 167 Assists
2. Nick Kapicki 152 Assists
3. Scott Longstaff 139 Assists
4. Kellen Jones 134 Assists
5. John Price 121 Assists

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Games Played Leaders:

1. Garth Gartner/Jagger Williamson 233 Games
2. Rob Short 229 Games
3. Kori Davison/Chris Crowell 213 Games
4. Mark Nelson 209 Games
5. Colton Sparrow 188 Games

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Goals Leaders:

1. Wayne Dye/Hunter Bishop 93 Goals
2. Mark Nelson/David Oliver 92 Goals
3. Jason Elders 90 Goals
4. John Price/Connor Jones 80 Goals
5. Garth Gartner 78 Goals

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Penalty Minutes Leaders:

1. Chris Crowell 596 Pims
2. Kori Davison 580 Pims
3. Jason Williamson 569 Pims
4. Garth Gartner 515 Pims
5. Peter Zurba 400 Pims

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Points Per Season Leaders:

1. Scott Longstaff 160 Points
2. Terry Lowe 154 Points
3. John Price/Ernie Gare 133 Points
4. Dan Shermerhorn 130 Points
5. Jim Lawrence 127 Points

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Goals Per Season Leaders:

1. Jason Elders 67 Goals
2. Tony Szabo 64 Goals
3. Terry Lowe 63 Goals
4. Dustin Kelley 59 Goals
5. Hunter Bishop 57 Goals

Vernon Junior Hockey Frnachise All-Time Assists Per Season Leaders:

1. Scott Longstaff 106 Assists
2. Terry Lowe 91 Assists
3. Jim Lawrence 86 Assists
4. Dallas Drake 85 Assists
5. Dan Shermerhorn 84 Assists

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise All-Time Penalty Minutes Per Season Leaders:

1. Scott Salmond 350 Pims
2. Todd Demchuk 329 Pims
3. Troy Pohl 305 Pims
4. Ryan Singer 267 Pims
5. Mike Dennis 255 Pims

Vernon Vipers Forward Doug Sheppard scored the first goal in Vipers History In the Vipers first game of the 1995-96 Regular Season In Trail. Aaron Mori recorded the first win for the Vipers in goal in the same game.

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise Records:

Most Total Points In A Season By A Vernon Team-

1998-99 Vernon Vipers (52-6-2) 106 pts

Most Wins In A Season By A Vernon Team-

Vernon Vipers 52 1998-99

Most Consecutive Road Wins In One Season By A Vernon Team-

2009-10 Vernon Vipers 17 wins

Fewest Goals Allowed In A Season By A Vernon Team-

2009-10 Vernon Vipers (60 game schedule) 119 goals

Most Goals Scored In One Season By A Vernon Team-

1983-84 Vernon Rockets 452 goals

Most Losses In A Season By A Vernon Team-

1977-78 Vernon Vikings 56 losses BCHL Record

Most Consecutive Victories In A Season By A Vernon Team-

1998-99 Vernon Vipers 22 wins

Longest Unbeaten Streak By A Vernon Team-

1998-99 Vernon Vipers 34 games

Most Overtime Loses In A Season By A Vernon Team-

1997-98 Vernon Vipers/2018-19 Vernon Vipers 8 losses BCHL Record

Most Consecutive Playoff Series Lost By A Vernon Team-

Vernon 8 (1962 -1969) BCHL Record

Most Goals Scored In A Playoff Game By A Vernon Player-

Jeff Cheeseman 6 goals 1996 Playoffs Vernon defeated Cowichan Valley 6-4 BCHL Record

Most Playoff Shutouts In One Playoff Season-

Tyson Motz 2001-02 5 shutouts BCHL Record

Lowest Goals Against Average In The Regular Season By A Vernon Goaltender-

Blake Voth 2009-2010 1.79 GAA

Most Goals By A Defenceman In The Regular Season-

Campbell Blair 38 goals 1986-87 BCHL Record

Most Assists In One Game By A Vernon Player-

Ernie Gare 1971 & Duane Dennis 1989 9 assists BCHL Record

Most Total Points By A Defenceman In The Regular Season-

Campbell Blair 109 points 1986-87 BCHL Record

Most Power play Goals By A Vernon Player In One Season-

Roland Ramoser 30 goals 1991-92

Most Career Goals By A Vernon Player-

Wayne Dye 156 goals

Most Career Assists By A Vernon Player-

Gary Huth (Chilliwack & Vernon) 174 assists

Most Career Total Points By A Vernon Player-

Wayne Dye 325 points

Most Career Games Played By A Vernon Player-

Garth Gartner 233 games 1994-1998 & Jagger Williamson 233 games 2014-2019

Most Goals Scored In The Regular Season By A Vernon Player-

Jason Elders 67 goals 1990-91

Most Assists Recorded In The Regular Season By A Vernon Player-

Scott Longstaff 106 assists 1991-92

Most Points Recorded In The Regular Season By A Vernon Player-

Scott Longstaff 160 points 1991-92

Most Shutouts Recorded In The Regular Season By A Vernon Goaltender-

Ty Taylor 7 Shutouts 2017-18 Ties BCHL Record

Most Regular Season Wins In One Season By A Vernon Goaltender-

Derek Gustafson 39 wins 1998-99

Most Regular Season Wins All-Time By A Vernon Goaltender-

Derek Gustafson 82 career wins 1996-1999

Most Career Shutouts By A Vernon Goaltender-

Ty Taylor 8 Shutouts 2016-2018

Most Playoff Wins By A Vernon Goaltender-

Nick Olynyk 14 Playoff wins 2006-07

Most Career Playoff Wins By A Vernon Goaltender-

Andrew Hammond 15 Career Playoff Wins 2007-2009

Most Assists Recorded In The Playoffs By A Vernon Player-

Scott Longstaff 1992 - 16 games 37 assists BCHL Record

Most Points Recorded In The Playoffs By A Vernon Player-

Scott Longstaff 1992 - 16 games 47 points BCHL Record

Most Goals Scored In The Playoffs By A Vernon Player-

Jason Elders 1991 - 14 games 20 goals

Most Wins At The Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup By A Vernon Team-

Vernon Lakers-Vipers 35 (RBC Cup Record)

Most National Championships By A Vernon Team-

Vernon Lakers-Vipers 6 (Junior A Record)

Most Appearances At The Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup By A Vernon Team-

Vernon Lakers-Vipers 10 1989,1990,1991,1992,1996,1999,2009,2010, 2011 & 2014 (Junior A Record)

Most Goals Scored At The Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup By A Vernon Team-

Vernon Lakers-Vipers 230 goals (RBC Cup Record)

Most Goals Scored In A Single Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Game By A Vernon Team-

Vernon Lakers-11 goals (Defeated Nipawin Hawks 11-5 in 1990 (RBC Cup Record, Tied with the 1985 Orillia Travelways, 1990 New Westminster Royals, 1994 Olds Grizzlys, 1996 Melfort Mustangs & 2010 Brockville Braves)

Who Was The First Goaltender To Record A Shutout In The Royal Bank Cup Final-

Beau Riedel 1996 Vernon Vipers defeated the Melfort Mustangs 2-0

Vernon's All-Time Record At The Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup-

Games Played: 54
Wins: 37
Losses: 17
Goals For: 243
Goals Against: 183

6-1 Record In Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Championship Games

Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Records-

The Vernon Lakers set a record as the only team in history to make it to four straight Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Tournaments (1989,90,91 & 92)

Vernon is the last team to win back to back Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Championships 1990 & 1991-2009 & 2010

Vernon Vipers League Award Winners:

Top Goaltender Trophy:

2010 Blake Voth Vernon Vipers

2009 Andrew Hammond Vernon Vipers

1999 Derek Gustafson Vernon Vipers

1988 Glenn Fry Vernon Lakers

1976 Keith Ferner Vernon Vikings

1970 Gary Osborne Vernon Essos

Best Goaltending Duo:

2010 Blake Voth & Graeme Gordon Vernon Vipers

2009 Andrew Hammond & Graeme Gordon

2005 Jon Olthuis & Mark Sibbald Vernon Vipers

2003 Matt Zaba & Scott Bowles Vernon Vipers

1999 Derek Gustafson & Cris King Vernon Vipers

1996 Todd Laurin & Beau Riedel Vernon Vipers 1989 Chris Fairlie & Kevin Baldridge Vernon Lakers

1988 Glenn Fry & Barry Rysz Vernon Lakers

1976 Keith Ferner & Darrell Furmanek Vernon Vikings

1970 Gary Osborne & Gord McIntosh Vernon Essos

Brett Hull Trophy: Top Regular Season Points Scorer:

1993 Danny Shermerhorn 130 pts Vernon Lakers

1992 Scott Longstaff 160 pts Vernon Lakers

1988 Dallas Drake 124 pts Vernon Lakers

1987 Kevin Scott 126 pts Vernon Lakers

1979 Terry Lowe 154 pts Vernon Vikings

1972 John Price & Ernie Gare 133 pts Vernon Essos

1971 Jim Lawrence 127 pts Vernon Essos

1970 Wayne Dye 84 pts Vernon Essos

1968 Tom Serviss 90 pts Vernon Essos

Joe Tennany Memorial Trophy: Coach Of The Year: (Interior Conference)

2010 Mark Ferner Vernon Vipers

2009 Mark Ferner Vernon Vipers

2002 Mike Vandekamp Vernon Vipers

1999 Troy Mick Vernon Vipers

Bob Fenton Trophy: Most Sportsmanlike Player:

1996 Dustin Whitecotton Vernon Lakers

1967 Tom Serviss Vernon Essos

Top Defenceman Trophy: (Interior Conference)

2006 Andy Zulyniak Vernon Vipers

2005 Andy Zulyniak Vernon Vipers

2002 Brad Farynuk Vernon Vipers

1976 Terry Anaka Vernon Vikings

Vern Dye Memorial Trophy: Most Valuable Player: (Interior Conference)

2008 Hunter Bishop Vernon Vipers

2003 Matt Zaba Vernon Vipers

1988 Dallas Drake Vernon Lakers

1974 Don Murdoch Vernon Vikings

1970 Bob Mayer Vernon Essos

1968 Tom Serviss Vernon Essos

1964 Gord Nuyens Vernon Essos

Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy: Rookie Of The Year: (Interior Conference)

1999 Ryan Bayda Vernon Vipers

1998 Tyler Knight Vernon Vipers

1996 Brent Dodginghorse Vernon Vipers

1987 Craig Bedard Vernon Lakers

1973 Tim Sanche Vernon Essos

1971 Jim Lawrence Vernon Essos

Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Award Winners:

Most Sportsmanlike:

2011 Royal Bank Cup Dylan Walchuk Vernon Vipers

2010 Royal Bank Cup Kellen Jones Vernon Vipers

2009 Royal Bank Cup Ryan Santana Vernon Vipers

1989 Centennial Cup Cam Sylven Vernon Lakers

MVP:

2009 Royal Bank Cup Kyle Bigos Vernon Vipers

1992 Centennial Cup Scott Longstaff Vernon Lakers

Top Scorer:

1992 Centennial Cup Scott Longstaff Vernon Lakers

Top Forward:

2009 Royal Bank Cup Connor Jones Vernon Vipers

1996 Royal Bank Cup Jeff Cheeseman Vernon Vipers

Top Defenceman:

2011 Royal Bank Cup Adam Thompson Vernon Vipers

2009 Royal Bank Cup Kyle Bigos Vernon Vipers

1999 Royal Bank Cup John Bradley Vernon Vipers