Vernon Tigers Lacrosse Playoff Schedule:

Vernon Vipers forward, Rob Short & the Vernon Tigers start the Championship Final tonight vs the Kamloops Venom. Here's a look at the Tigers Playoff Schedule,

Vernon Tigers VS Kamloops Venom

Game 1 Tuesday, July 14th Kamloops @ Vernon 7:30pm
Game 2 Thursday, July 16th Vernon @ Kamloops 7:30pm
Game 3 Saturday, July 18th Kamloops @ Vernon 7:30pm
Game 4 Tuesday, July 21th Vernon @ Kamloops 7:30pm
Game 5 Wednesday, July 22nd Kamloops @ Vernon 7:30pm

Winner 2009 TOJLL CHAMPION

To View "Official" Schedule & Scores @ http://www.bclacrosse.com/

For more on the Vernon Tigers, check out the teams website,

http://www.vernontigers.ca/

Vipers Announce Exibition Schedule:

This is on the Vipers website:

Vipers Exibition Schedule:

The Vernon Vipers have set their exhibition schedule with four pre-season games lined up, the Vipers will first play in Salmon Arm on August 29th against the Silverbacks. The following night, August 30th, the two teams will face each other again but in Revelstoke. The Grizzlies organization invited the two teams last year to play in their arena and had great success with the event and are looking forward to hosting the game again. The Vipers will then be taking a night off before playing a home and home series with the Westside Warriors on September 1st and 2nd, starting in Vernon on the Tuesday night and then in Westside on Wednesday night.

The Vipers are looking forward to starting the 2009-2010 season and fans looking to buy season tickets can call the Vipers office at 250-542-6022.

Former Vernon Laker Ferster No Longer Behind The Bench:

This is on the Silverbacks website:

Restructure to hockey operations

Monday, July 13, 2009 - Submitted by Shawn Rogers

The Salmon Arm SilverBacks Junior “A” Hockey Club has restructured their hockey operations for the 2009-2010 season. Matt Hughes will become the Head Coach while Rylan Ferster will be the General Manager. Previously, Ferster held both titles while Hughes was the Associate Coach/Assistant GM.

“I hired Matt the same year I bought the team making this season his third year in Salmon Arm. Since that time, Matt and I have developed a positive working relationship. When Rylan and I first discussed his return to Salmon Arm, our vision was for him to operate as the General Manager. It took one year for this plan to fall into place and enabled us to hire from within making it a smooth transition. This will allow Rylan to concentrate on general manager responsibilities and recruiting along with myself. Matt has done a great job here and we are very confident in his abilities as we all share the same philosophies” commented Team Owner Randy Williams.

Randy Quakenbush will return as an Assistant Coach, Jamie Walters will remain the team Trainer, Mickey Sims continues as the Strength & Conditioning Coach, Brady Robinson will be the Goaltending Coach, Heather Sims returns as the Office Administrator while Shawn Rogers continues as the Director of Marketing.

Rylan Ferster played with the Vernon Lakers back in 1989-90 winning the Centennial Cup defeating the New West Royals in a dramatic 6-5 overtime thriller.

Vipers Celebrate 10 Years:

This is on the Vipers website:

Vipers celebrate 10 years

by viper staff Added 2009-07-13

The Vernon Vipers 1999 Championship team came back to Vernon for a ten year reunion last weekend to celebrate their victory and see some familiar faces and a very familiar trophy. 1999 Vipers Captain Lennie Rampone organized the weekend event which started with a Friday afternoon wine & cheese gathering at one of the Vipers parents house. On Saturday the Vipers Team headed to Spall Golf Course for a round of golf and they finished the day at Boston Pizza where billet families, fans and players gathered for a “post-game show”. On Sunday the players were able to spend one more afternoon together for brunch before going back home. The event was very well attended, with a total of 16 players coming into town along with their Coach Troy Mick, Trainer Tim Cooper and Owner Duncan Wray participating in the weekend event. The highlight of the weekend was being able to carry the RBC Cup along side with them, reading their names and hoisting it again for pictures. The Vernon Vipers would like to congratulate the 1999 team on their success from 10 years ago until today.

Bigos Attends Oilers Development Camp:

The Edmonton Oilers finished hosting their 2009 Development Camp from July 6-10, 2009. Millennium Place in Sherwood Park hosted the Oilers top prospects, with 23 players reporting to camp. All off-ice workouts took place at Rexall Place and a special team building session was scheduled at CFB Edmonton.

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Kyle Bigos spoke with the media for the first time this past week after attending the Edmonton Oilers development camp. When you click on the link below, on the right hand side you have to scroll down till you find the interview with Kyle Bigos.

http://oilers.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=4&id=44840

Heres a list of the Oilers development roster

http://oilers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=433442

Welcome Home Luke!

Id like to congradulate former Merritt Centennial-Vernon Vipers forward, Luke Pierce on being named the new Assistant Coach of the Merritt Centennials. After playing with the KIJHLs Revelstoke Grizzlies back in 2000-01 Luke had the chance to come home and play for his hometown Merritt Centennials. Pierce played with the Cents from 2001-03 before being traded to the Vernon Vipers in the 2003-04 season. Pierce was aquired by the Vipers by former Merritt Centennials Head Coach & GM, Mike Vandekamp. Pierce was named Assistant Captain that season, a real leader on and off the ice. In 53 games with the Vipers Pierce would score 7 goals, collect 21 assists wich was good for 28 pts. Luke racked up 223 penalty minutes in his final season of Junior Hockey. In just 5 Playoff games that year, Pierce would collect just 1 assist but would lead the team in penalty minutes with 61. That season the Vipers (37-15-1-7) finished 2nd place in the Interior Division 3 pts back of the Interior Division Champion Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Vernon was upended that year in 5 games by the Trail Smoke Eaters. Pierce would move on to play the next five years at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. He graduated with a Master of Business Administration.

Luke Pierce is one of the most hated players in the entire BCHL. Pierce was one of those players you use to hate to play against but would love to have him on your team. I will be one of the first to admit I use to hate Mr. Pierce everytime the Cents would make their trip to Vernon, but when I first read the paper and found out Luke was traded to Vernon, I was very thrilled. I love his intensity and spark he brings to the rink, he always plays with an edge and is willing to go to battle each and every game. This kid is fearless and never backs down from a fight. After watching Luke his entire BCHL career over the yrs as a Centennial and Viper this is one of the toughest kids I have seen play. Most fans hated Luke Pierce, calling him a goon. Pierce was always involved after the whistle, well knowen for giving out his specialty cheap shots. At 5'8 and 170 lbs Luke wasnt afraid to drop the gloves, Pierce stood in against some of the leagues heavyweaights many times, winning and losing. I seen this kid take a pounding but never backed down.

Luke played each and every game like it was his last, you always got the most and best out of this kid game in and game out. A fan favorite in Merritt during his playing days as a Centennial, I talked to a few Cents fans who were very sad to see him leave. One of my first road trip's down to Merritt, I was checking out the minor hockey trophy display cases in the concesion area, & I was amazed to see Lukes name on several minor hockey trophies. Next time you make a trip out to a Centennials game, check it out.

Id like to wish Luke all the best with the Centennials and am looking forward at seeing him behind the bench next time Merritt comes to town.

Former Viper Pierce Named Centennials New Assistant Coach:

This is on Brian Wiebes Merritt Centennials Blog:

Former Merritt Centennial-Vernon Viper Luke Pierce has joined the Centennials as an assistant to head coach and GM Joey Bouchard.

Pierce is a 25-year-old who grew up in Merritt, playing in the Merritt Minor Hockey Association before join the KIJHL's Revelstoke Grizzlies for the 2000-01 season. He played in the BCHL for the Cents from 2001-03 and was traded from Merritt to Vernon prior to the 2003-04 season. Pierce wrapped up his playing career last season after five years at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. He graduated with a Master of Business Administration

Brian hopes to have Joey Bouchard's thoughts on Luke's addition to the coaching staff posted sometime tomorrow.

http://merrittcentennials.blogspot.com/

Capitals Coach Suspended & Fined:

This is in the Summerside P.E.I Journal Newspaper:

Coach on suspension: ‘dangerous precedent’

NANCY MACPHEE The Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE — Kenny MacDougall says his former team has hung him out to dry. The Summerside Western Capitals’ ex coach has received a 10-game suspension and a $1,000 fine from the Maritime Junior ‘A’ Hockey League following conduct at the 2009 RBC Cup in Victoria, B.C. in May. MacDougall said Sunday he’s being unfairly singled out and wants a chance to have his side of the story heard. “I feel like I’ve been made a scapegoat here for what happened in Victoria,” he said. “I understand the league trying to send out a message that they don’t want something like this to happen again.” But, he added, “The message sent is you as a player can break curfew, break team rules, you can be disrespectful in a public place and you can do damage to property and nothing will happen to you. Your coach will be suspended.”MacDougall learned of the suspension on June 15 and immediately requested a hearing with the league. He and Caps general manager Gabe Keough met with MJAHL president Derryl Smith, who had handed down the suspension.“He already had his mind up before we met. That was frustrating.”The Caps then filed a formal appeal on MacDougall’s behalf. “At the eleventh hour the Summerside Western Capitals pulled that appeal,” said MacDougall. “Now, I’m out there, an island onto myself here.” By letter, the league reprimanded a player neither it nor the team would name. MacDougall said that player caused a disturbance where alcohol was involved at the resort’s restaurant and later damaged a television. “You put rules and structure in place and you expect people to follow them. When they don’t it’s very disappointing,” he added. “But it’s hard to swallow that I’m totally responsible for the actions of people that made conscious decisions to break rules.”MacDougall, who’s sought legal representation, has written the league and Hockey P.E.I. seeking an appeal.“The league is setting a dangerous precedent for guys who are going to get into trouble away from the rink that the coach is going to be held responsible for it. That’s a pretty big responsibility for a coach. I don’t know how many people are willing to take that on, to be responsible for guys 24-7,” he added. “I need to know what I did that was conduct unbecoming of the league. Players broke those rules. Grown, consenting adults made decisions to break those rules and I have to pay the price for them, which I find to be a little upsetting.”

GM Disappointed Caps Not Hosting 2011 RBC Cup:

This is in the Summerside P.E.I Journal Newspaper:

GM disappointed Caps not hosting 2011 RBC Cup

NANCY MACPHEE The Journal Pioneer

Summerside Western Capitals' general manager Gabe Keough was disappointed with Hockey Canada's decision to dismiss the city's bid to host the 2011 RBC Cup. But, he added, "not terrifically surprised".Hockey Canada cited the team's conduct at the 2009 RBC Cup in Victoria, B.C., as the reason for the dismissal. "They told us out there it wouldn't have anything to do with it, but in the end... someone else is going to get it," said Keough. Thunder Bay was in the running to host the event and also had its bid dismissed. The past season was a storybook one for the Capitals. They ended the 2008-09 regular season with a 39-13-0-2 record; won the MJAHL's Kent Cup, Fred Page Cup Eastern Canadian championship and went 1-3, failing to qualify for the semifinals, at the RBC Cup in Victoria, B.C.But the fairytale ended when the Capitals were sent home early from Victoria amid rumours of the team's off-ice behaviour. The team confirmed there was an incident involving a damaged television. "It's certainly not something that helps you, for sure. I don't see us losing any fans," said Keough. "I see it as a challenge for us to ensure we are more on top of situations and try to avoid something like this happening again. It wasn't the team; it wasn't the majority of players."A new head coach will steer the team and determine player discipline and rules. "Every coach brings his own code of conduct," added Keough. He said the team and the city plan to show Hockey Canada "what kind of show we can put on" when they host November's World Junior 'A' Hockey Challenge. "We're just moving forward and trying to build a better team. That's our motto each year," added Keough. "It's like life. You can do 25 good things but when you do one that's less favourable, it gets the reaction."

Summerside Out Of The Running To Host The 2011 RBC:

Here's another article from the Summerside P.E.I Journal Newspaper:

Capitals’ conduct ends cup prospect

NANCY MACPHEE The Journal Pioneer

SUMMERSIDE – The Summerside Western Capitals’ conduct at May’s RBC Cup in Victoria, B.C., has put the city out of the running to host the 2011 event. The news came as a shock to city and Maritime Junior ‘A’ Hockey League officials who felt Summerside was a shoe-in to host the national hockey tournament. JP Desrosiers sat on the bid committee with CAO Terry Murphy, Capitals’ owner George Roberts and general manager Gabe Keough, and MJAHL president Deryl Smith.“We were still very confident that it would be awarded to us. When they gave us a conference call on Tuesday and gave us the news it was definitely shocking,” Desrosiers said Friday morning. “We’re very disappointed.” The Capitals, who posted a 1-3 (win-loss) record at the 2009 RBC Cup and failed to reach the semifinals, were sent home early by Hockey Canada amid controversy and rumours of the team’s off-ice behaviour.After the team’s return, Keough confirmed there had been an incident involving a damaged television at the resort where the Capitals were staying. “There were alcohol incidents and obviously the TV incident and being disrespectful to the whole RBC,” Smith said Friday. Hockey Canada cited that conduct as the reason Summerside’s bid was rejected.“We understand their reasoning. They have a brand to protect,” said Desrosiers. “We’re definitely not mad at them in any way.”The bid process for the 2011 RBC Cup has reopened. Thunder Bay, the only other city left in the running to host the event, also had its bid dismissed. The city and the Capitals have decided not re-enter the bid process.“They said they were very impressed by our bid and it was one of the better bids they’ve seen in a while,” said Desrosiers.“They understand Summerside is a great hosting centre and are looking very much forward to Summerside hosting the (world junior hockey championship) here.”Smith said if not for the conduct of the team in Victoria, Summerside could very well be preparing to host the 2011 RBC Cup. “I can’t guarantee that but I would be of a strong feeling that, yes, we would have been hosting it,” added the league president. “I thought it (the bid) was very solid and well done.”Hosting the national junior ‘A’ hockey tournament would have meant hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars in economic spin-offs to the city. Hockey Canada has told the bid committee it would reimburse its $5,000 deposit. Desrosiers said the city is now looking to bid for the 2012 RBC Cup, adding the incident won't “strain” its relationship with the Capitals. “We’ll be partnering in bidding again,” he added. “We’re still a team.”

2011 RBC Cup Not Coming To Summerside:

This was in the Summerside P.E.I Journal Newspaper:

2011 RBC Cup not coming to Summerside

Site Selection Committee wants to start another bidding process

The Journal Pioneer

The Summerside Western Capitals will not be hosting the 2011 RBC Cup. Hockey Canada announced Thursday the 2011 RBC Cup will not be awarded to either of the final two communities that had submitted bids. Instead the Site Selection Committee wants to re-enter into the bidding process for the 2011 RBC Cup because of concerns raised by the Summerside Western Capitals’ actions at the 2009 Royal Bank Cup in Victoria, B.C.Following discussions with Hockey Canada and the City of Summerside, the Summerside Western Capitals decided, because of the late date, not to re-enter into the bidding process for the 2011 Royal Bank Cup but to concentrate their efforts in entering and hopefully winning the process for 2012.“At this time the Summerside Western Capitals, although we understand the concerns of Hockey Canada, are extremely disappointed with the decision that was made on this event,” noted the team’s general manager Gabe Keough.“We will endeavour to continue to grow junior hockey within the city and our league and look forward to 2010 hockey season and to proving to Hockey Canada that the level of professionalism that we operate with is second to none.”The Summerside Western Capitals staff, in partnership with the City of Summerside and the local host committee, are currently working on the 2009 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge which they are hosting in November.

Tigers Playing Playoff Waiting Game:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Tigers playing playoff waiting game

Published: July 12, 2009

The Vernon Tigers had to wait another two days to learn who they face in the Thompson-Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League best-of-five playoff championship series.
The host Kamloops Venom upset the regular-season champion Kelowna Warriors 10-9 in double overtime Thursday night to force a third and deciding game in their semifinal series Saturday night in Kelowna.
The final series is scheduled to start Tuesday night in either Kelowna or Kamloops with Game 2 going Thursday night at Wesbild Centre.
Game 3 would go Saturday night in either Kelowna or Kamloops with the fourth game Monday, July 20 in Vernon. A fifth game would go Wednesday, July 22.
The Venom finished fifth in the regular season at 6-6-2.

Former Viper Cumming Traded:

This is on the Kamloops Blazers website:

KAMLOOPS, BC – The Kamloops Blazers are pleased to announce the addition of 18-year-old defenseman and Kamloops Minor Hockey product Matt Cumming in a trade with the Prince George Cougars today. The Cougars will receive a conditional 7th round selection in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft in return. “We’re excited to bring a local kid into our organization,” says Vice-President and General Manager Craig Bonner. “Matt has gained a good deal of WHL experience in his first two seasons in the league. We are expecting him to have a strong training camp and compete for a spot on this year’s team.” Cumming has played a total of 86 WHL games in two seasons with the Cougars, recording 5 assists.

Matt Cumming played with the Vernon Vipers back in the 2007-08 season. In 20 games with the Vipers Cumming recorded 1 assist. Cumming left the team that year in November to join the WHL Prince George Cougars who owned his playing rights.

Cumming now joins former Vernon Viper forward, Mark Hall who is also with the Blazers.

Matt Cummings Player Profile:

http://www.whl.ca/stats/player.php?id=25084

Bishop Invited To Canadiens Development Camp:

Former Vernon Vipers All-Star forward, Hunter Bishop is one of 40 players invited to the Montreal Canadiens development camp this week in Brossard, QC. Bishop who just finished his first season with the Ohio State Buckeyes, played in 41 games (13-16-29) The Buckeyes finished the season at 23-14-4

This is on the Montreal Canadiens website:

40 players to take part in the Canadiens Development Camp

Jul 3, 2009

MONTREAL --The Montreal Canadiens announced today that 40 prospects will participate in the team’s annual development camp from July 6-12, at the Bell Sports Complex, in Brossard. It is the most players attending since the first edition of the Canadiens development camp in 2001.

The Canadiens prospects will first take to the ice on Monday, July 6th, at 1:30 p.m. The development camp consists of on-ice sessions every day until July 12th with on-ice sessions on both surfaces of the Bell Sports Complex. Off-ice conditioning sessions are also scheduled every day. An intersquad game is scheduled for Saturday, July 11th.

24 of the 40 players at camp are Canadiens draft selections, including all eight players from the 2009 NHL Entry Draft held last June at the Bell Centre. The group includes first round picks Louis Leblanc, Max Pacioretty and David Fischer, as well as prospects P.K. Subban, Olivier Fortier and Yannick Weber. 24 of the 40 players also participated in the 2008 Development Camp.

Players participating in the development camp will be available daily to the media following practice sessions. A detailed practice schedule will be available on site.

Hunter Bishops Player Profile:

http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=87732&SPID=10406&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLID=1579762&Q_SEASON=2008

Hunter Bishops Blog:

http://www.hockeyjewelry.com/FFG/Hunter_Bishop/Blog/index.php

Cats Douse Flames In Semifinal:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Cats douse Flames in semifinal

By Nicole Berg - Vernon Morning Star
Published: July 09, 2009

The Vernon Re/Max Tigers have booked their spot in the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League’s championship series.
Thanks to a convincing 10-4 win over the South Okanagan Flames Wednesday night before 350 fans at Wesbild Centre, the Cats have a chance to earn their first trophy since 2003, when they beat the Kelowna Dragons.
The Tigers will face either the fifth-place Kamloops Venom or first-place Kelowna Warriors, depending on who wins their semifinal series. Kelowna won Game 1 Tuesday night 8-5. The best-of-three final series will likely start Monday night.
In regular-season play, Kelowna won the series over the Tigers 2-0, while Vernon beat Kamloops 2-0.
“It feels real good to be finally playing in the finals again,” said Tigers’ coach Rich Zecchel. “We got this far by playing the Flames hard and Rutland before them.
“We came out with a great start tonight with no penalties, but we kind of let our discipline get the better of us come the third period, as a couple of our most experienced players took some dumb penalties and got themselves thrown out of the game. As a result of that, we’ll have to work hard on making sure those penalties don’t happen again.”
The Tigers, who took 53 minutes in penalties, compared to the Flames’ 14, played a convincing first period where they scored four straight goals in 90 seconds to pull away with a 5-2 lead after the first.
Steven Clark, Robbie Short, Ryan Landels, and Craig Bigsby scored the Tigers’ quick string of goals.
Jordan Jarvis, Riley Soleway, Miles Jespersen, James Dobrowolski (empty-netter), Clark (on a nifty breakaway in the late going) and Landels, with his second goal of the game, rounded out the rest of the Tigers’ scoring.
Wes Norris, Darcy Ricard, Pete McEwen and Tyler Prentice led the Flames’ attack.
The Tigers lost veteran Braidy Webb in the first period due to penalty trouble, and Short, midway through the third, after his fifth penalty.
Vernon goalie Josh Phillips, who made 35 solid saves to take first-star honours, is excited to be playing in his first championship series.
“I’m really excited I got to play tonight and be the starting goalie for the Tigers this year,” said Phillips. “The game went pretty good tonight but things got a little intense when our team started taking some untimely penalties and the Flames had a lot of opportunities with the man-advantage to score on me.
“Other than that though, we came out with the desire to win from the beginning and played a pretty decent game.”
Flames’ head coach Geoff Goodman was impressed with the way his troops played this season.
“We finished second in standings this year which is by far the best we’ve ever done. I’m really proud of the way the boys played this season. We were just simply outplayed by Vernon this series. Vernon’s a very strong team with good coaching and players.
“It was mental mistakes tonight that cost us the win. Many times some of our guys just stood around while the Vernon players ran around them and our guys didn’t do anything. It’s a tough way to learn but next year we’ll learn from our mistakes so that we don’t make them again.”

A Hockey Nomad Found A Home:

This is on the Vipers website:

A hockey nomad found a home

by don klepp Added 2009-07-08

Ryan Santana’s hockey career has taken him from warm Los Angeles to cold-weather hockey outposts in Chicago, Green Bay, Des Moines, and Fairbanks, Alaska. Finally, he landed in Vernon and he couldn’t be happier.

For one thing, he’s enjoyed the weather in Vernon: “The climate here is the nicest I’ve experienced. It’s cold and windy in Chicago, and pretty darn cold at times in the mid-west. And Fairbanks is in Alaska, so you know what that means.”

He adds, “I’ve had an awesome time in Vernon, and not just because we won everything. What a great bunch of guys, on and off the ice. We hung out together and had a lot of fun. These guys are hilarious, especially Royser (Kory Roy). He’s hysterical, a real character. I think I might miss him the most. He’s a hard worker, too; even when he’s not in the lineup, he gives everything he has in practice and in the gym. That’s the way the whole team is, 100 percent effort all the time.”

Ryan was first introduced to hockey at age three when his uncle took him to an L.A. Kings game. Hooked, the three-year old got on roller skates and almost immediately on ice skates. Before age 6, he was playing hockey with older kids who needed someone to fill out their roster. His talent and desire for the game in evidence, he made bantam and midget teams that went to the national finals. In his third and final year of midget hockey, he went to Chicago to play for Team Illinois, a nationally ranked squad that played at the well-known MAC tournament in Calgary.

In Calgary, he was approached by Viper GM Troy Mick, who offered a Viper tryout. Later, the Vipers’ Bernie Pimm kept in contact, but Ryan opted to play for Green Bay of the USHL because he was enrolled in grade 12. After a year in Green Bay, he was traded to Des Moines and then at last year’s trading deadline he was moved to the NAHL team in Fairbanks where he billeted with Hunter Bishop’s parents. With their encouragement, he came to the Vipers.

With the Vipers, the affable 20-year old took a while to find his best fit. He played wing on the Jones line, with mixed results. One of Ryan’s best attributes is his puck control, so he needed to play centre. Originally touted as a potential high scorer, his dogged determination and checking skills started to come to the fore. As the year progressed, his value became more and more apparent as his line brought energy and stretches of offensive-zone dominance. Even when the line didn’t score, Ryan and his wingers often changed the momentum in a game. In at least two of the RBC Cup games, the line of Santana, Cole Ikkala, and Rob Short was perhaps the best Viper trio, and they produced the all-important overtime winner in the Victoria game.

In order to play in the RBC Cup, Ryan had to bounce back from a serious shoulder injury suffered in the Salmon Arm series. He missed 11 games, including the first two games of the Doyle Cup. However, he returned, well-rested and energized, to play an important role in the two games played in Grande Prairie and his spirited play at the RBC Cup won him the Most Gentlemanly Player award at that tournament.

So, what’s next for Ryan Santana? First, he plans to rest for “a couple of days,” and then he’ll “get right back at it, training and playing pickup hockey.” In the summer, he plays “two or three times a week with some former WHL guys and [his] former coaches who play at a pretty high level. He adds that he and Kyle Bigos “play with another group about once a week, where we get a chance to work on our one-on-one skills.”

At the time that Ryan was interviewed for this article, he was being courted by the Boston University Terriers, the reigning NCAA champion. After jumping through a series of hoops in order to establish his academic eligibility, Ryan has been able to acknowledge that the Terriers have committed to Ryan for this coming year. BU wants Ryan as a third-line energy player and penalty killer, roles that he fulfilled admirably for the Vipers. Everyone in Viper land wishes him well and hopes that another Ryan Santana can be discovered for next season.

Tigers Fan Flames In Game 1:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Tigers fan Flames in Game 1

Published: July 07, 2009

The Vernon Re/Max Tigers bounced the South Okanagan Flames 8-6 Monday night at Kelowna Memorial Arena in Game 1 of the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League best-of-three semifinal series.
Game two goes tonight at Wesbild Centre (7:30). A third game if needed, goes back to Kelowna Memorial Arena Friday night at 7:30. The Flames could not get a home game in Penticton since ice was installed for hockey schools.
The 8-4-2 Tigers only got a full three days rest after sweeping the Rutland Raiders in the quarterfinals, but they were full of energy and ready to take on the 8-3-3 Flames.
“We played a pretty full game from start to end,” said Tigers’ forward Jordan Jarvis, who notched one goal and two assists. “It was a fast-paced game with lots of movement. South Okanagan didn’t pressure us as much as Rutland did so we were able to move the ball around faster and played a well-rounded game on offence and defence.”
Craig Bigsby bagged a pair of goals for the Tigers, while Robbie Short, Ryan Landels, Miles Jespersen, Riley Soleway and Steven Clark chipped in with singles.
Derek Grimm, Tyler Prentice, Pete McEwan, Tyler Berkholtz, Logan O’Brien, and Wes Morris led the Flames’ attack.
The Flames, who received a first-round bye, outshot the Tigers 51-45.
“I don’t think it was a good effort,” said Flames’ coach Geoff Goodman. “We had just maybe some rust or lack of mental readiness for some of the guys for the intensity that comes with a playoff game. What really hurt us was our special teams. They had three shorthanded goals and that just hurts.
“We can’t let that happen. And they were mental mistakes on the guys not checking properly, not getting close to their men, and letting them walk in and get the easy shot on goal.”
Goodman planned to move Brad Deshane back to forward and insert Connor Dietsen and Louis Montgomery in the lineup for Game 2 in hopes of garnering more intensity.
In other semifinal action, the first-place Kelowna Warriors (8-3-3) took on the 6-6-2 Kamloops Venom Tuesday night.
The underdog Venom made it to the second round by defeating the 7-4-3 Kamloops Rattlers 11-6 Sunday night to take the quarterfinal series 2-1.

Former Vernon Viper Nyjer Morgan Traded:

This is on the Washington Nationals website:

Nats get Morgan, Burnett in swap with Bucs, Club parts with Milledge, Hanrahan for defense, young arm.

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
06/30/09 8:21 PM ET

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals traded reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Pirates for reliever Sean Burnett and outfielder Nyjer Morgan on Tuesday afternoon.

Morgan is considered the key to the deal for Washington. He was acquired to improve the team's outfield defense, which ranks among the worst in the National League.

The Nationals have been unhappy with their outfielders for quite some time. They have come to the conclusion that Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham belong in the American League as designated hitters, and Elijah Dukes makes too many fundamental mistakes.

The Nationals have been unhappy with their outfielders for quite some time. They have come to the conclusion that Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham belong in the American League as designated hitters, and Elijah Dukes makes too many fundamental mistakes.

Morgan, who will wear uniform No. 1, was playing left field and batting second for Pittsburgh. Entering Tuesday's action, Morgan was hitting .277 with two home runs, 27 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.

"I'm a little shocked, but it's business," Morgan said. "I'm just very happy that I opened up somebody's eyes and that somebody wanted me. I look at it as a positive thing, not a negative thing. I definitely loved going to war with [the Pirates]. It's just unfortunate that I have to go.

"Basically being a 33rd-rounder, I'm not even supposed to be here. In my eyes, to be able to open up somebody's eyes and knowing that they want me to be their guy is a beautiful thing. It's unfortunate that I have to leave the black and gold. I loved being here."

With Morgan in the fold, Willie Harris will be back on the bench. However, acting general manager Mike Rizzo vowed that Harris would not be stuck on bench.

"Willie Harris brings a lot of energy to our club. He will get his share of at-bats," Rizzo said.

The Nationals also get younger in the bullpen with Burnett on board. He will be a middle reliever for the team. Burnett appeared in 38 games and had a respectable 3.06 ERA for Pittsburgh entering Tuesday. The Nationals have not ruled out making him a starter, a role he had when he was drafted by the Pirates in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft.

"We are open for business" said a happy Rizzo. "We improved two of our greatest needs. We have a great character guy in Morgan. We have our center fielder."

Hanrahan and Milledge did not fit in the team's long-term plans. Hanrahan lost his job as a closer twice because he was often hit hard. Most people in the organization felt that his fastball was too straight and he relied too much on his slider.

Asked if a change of scenery was good for him, Hanrahan said, "It could be. But I can't say that it is or not. It never really hurts to get a change of scenery, and it's good to know that somebody else likes you, even when you're not doing your best right now. That's a positive."

Lack of defense and inconsistency at the plate are the reasons Milledge has been in the Minor Leagues since mid-April. In seven games, Milledge, who was acquired from the Mets in December 2007 for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church, was 4-for-24 with an RBI for the Nationals.

It also didn't help that Milledge was late for a meeting the day before Opening Day in Miami.

According to sources, both Rizzo and manager Manny Acta threatened Milledge with a trip back to the Minor Leagues in the wake of the incident. The team ended up sending him down April 14.

"I don't think things went right for him this season," Rizzo said. "He had a very slow Spring Training and a slow beginning of the season. I think we asked him to do things that he possibly wasn't capable of doing. Putting him in a center field position and the leadoff position when he possibly wasn't ready for that at this point in his career didn't help, then being the competitor that he is, he really was pressing to improve and to play well."

Rizzo is far from done in terms of making deals. He is looking for a starting shortstop. The Nationals feel that Cristian Guzman, who is on the trading block, has lost a few steps with his glove.

The Nationals are alarmed that Guzman is having a difficult time getting ground balls to his left.

Washington wants young starting pitching in return for Guzman, who has one year left on his contract.

The team doesn't have to acquire a shortstop -- at least for the rest of the season. It can go with Alberto Gonzalez, who was hitting .326 with a home run and 12 RBIs entering Tuesday.

The team is also looking to trade Dukes, and that may be hard to do because he comes with a lot of off-the-field baggage. Whom the club wants for Dukes is not known.

For more on this trade, check out the video on the link below,

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090630&content_id=5617896&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Check out Nyjer Morgans player profile,

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=460579

Former Viper Dobrowolski Traded:

This is on the Prince George Cougars website:

Jul 6 2009

Cougars and Raiders Swap Forwards, Draft Picks

by Andy Neal

The Prince George Cougars have acquired 19-year old forward James Dobrowolski from the Prince Albert Raiders, in exchange for 18-year old forward Justin Maylan.

The two clubs also swapped picks in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, as the Cougars get the Raiders fourth round selection, while the Cougars sixth round pick heads to PA. Dobrowolski finished his second season with the Raiders in 2008-09, posting 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points while playing in each of the Raiders 72 regular season games and the Raiders tie-breaking game against Edmonton. The 6’2”, 180 pound product of Vernon, BC has collected 17 goals and 25 assists in 139 career WHL games.

“We’re really looking forward to adding James’ size and skill into our line-up for next season,” said Cougars General Manager Dallas Thompson. “His presence will help open up some ice for our skilled guys to work with.”

Justin Maylan played 101 regular season games in a Prince George Cougars jersey, scoring 22 goals and adding 25 assists over that time, after being acquired from the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2007-08 season. Maylan added one assist in four playoff games.

James Dobrowolski played 3 games as an "AP" with the BCHL Vernon Vipers during the 2006-07 season. Dobrowolski also plays lacrosse with current Vernon Vipers forward, Rob Short & the Vernon Tigers. In 9 regular season games this season, Dobrowolski recorded 5 goals-7 assists good for 12 points. For more on Dobrowolski and the Tigers, check out their website,

http://members.shaw.ca/vernontigers/

Gill Leaves Vipers For USHL:

Well It’s official Vernon Vipers forward, Sahir Gill is leaving the BCHL Vernon Vipers for the USHL's Chicago Steel. Sahir Gill who's WHL rights were drafted by the Vancouver Giants and then later traded to the Kamloops Blazers played in 54 games last year as a rookie with the Vernon Vipers. Gill collected 18 goals & 21 assists for 39 pts playing on the Vipers top line with twins, Kellen & Connor Jones. In 17 BCHL Playoff games Gill picked up 8 goals & 9 assists good for 17 pts. In all 6 games at the Royal Bank Cup, Gill scored 2 goals, while collecting 3 assists, good for 5 pts. Gill was then drafted in May of this year by the USHL Chicago Steel, In the 5th round of the USHL Draft, with the 56th pick.

It was in June when Gill's name come across the Chicago Steel website as being listed on the teams roster for the 2009-10 season. But no real word on if Gill was heading to Chicago or returning to Vernon. It wasnt until Sunday when the Vernon Morning Star Newspaper gave the bad news for Viper fans.

I have to ask this, why would a young 17 yr old kid from Terrace BC want to play in the windy city of Chicago after a great rookie season with the Vipers, winning the RBC Cup and now having a 2nd chance at playing on the Vipers top line with twins Kellen & Connor Jones trying to repeat as National Champs? But now is off to Chicago a team that finished second-to-last in the USHL’s Eastern Division at 31-37-2, missing the playoffs. Gill who was cut last summer by the BCHL Alberni Valley Bulldogs made the Vipers roster after showing his stuff after a strong training camp. Gill started the season, seeing most of his time in the stands as a healthy scratch. It wasnt until Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson put Gill up front on Vernon's top unit with Connor & Kellen Jones who were one of the top lines in the league this past season, collecting 151 points between the three young men. Gill scored the biggest goal of his career, in triple overtime in Game 4 of the BCHL League Finals vs Powell River, putting Vernon up three games to one wich eventually the Vipers would take the series and the League Championship in six games.

I just dont get the reasons as of why Sahir Gill would want to leave the Vipers and play in Chicago. Lets say Gill didnt want to go the college route and headed to the WHL (where his rights are owned by the Kamloops Blazers) thats fine, but obviously Gill is still looking at the college route. Gill can still collect a scholarship playing in the USHL, the Steel had 15 players from this past season with college commitments, where as the Vipers had 11 players who picked up scholarships. So here's a young man who can return to Vernon, play on the teams top line, try and repeat as National Champions & still collect his scholarship so why head to Chicago and play for a team that missed the playoffs last season? The Steel have their 22 man roster listed on the teams website, Gill & Jamie Oleksiak are the only two Canadians on the hockey club. I dont know much about the USHL or any of the teams but I do know that over the past several years the USHL has been raiding players from the BCHL, convincing them to play hockey in the US.

Does Gill think he has a better chance at being recruited by some of the College's by playing in the USHL, or maybe he thinks he will see more icetime and put up bigger and better numbers playing in Chicago over Vernon. I have heard rumors his parents are the ones behind everything. If Gill did return to the Vipers, "A" He's very close to home and playing in Canada, "B" He's playing for the defending RBC Cup Champions, "C" He will be playing on the teams top line, "D" The Vipers have a possible 14 players returning and with some hopeful strong recruiting should be a strong contender once again this coming season. In Chicago "A" Gill is just one of two Canadians on the Steel roster, "B" Is playing in a new league and new team who is coming off missing the playoffs last year, "C" Chicago has just 8 returning players from last years roster, "D" Family & Friends will now have a much more difficult time watching him play, having to listen to most of the games over the internet, "E" Chicago is no Terrace or Vernon, a very big city, with lots of violence and crime.

I just dont agree with Gill's decision on leaving the Vipers, what does the USHL have that the BCHL dosnt have? The Vipers & the BCHL always catch the attention of college's. Gill would be once again playing on the teams top line with the Jones Twins. So why leave? It will be interesting who the Vipers now put up front with Connor & Kellen Jones this season. All this does now is open up a roster spot for an up and coming rookie or maybe adding a veteran through trades. So far I have been impressed with the recruits the team has brought in, dont forget the Vipers have a strong core group of a possible 14 returning veterans from last years Championship team, with some minor tweaking to the roster, the Vipers will be just fine and once again compete in the Interior Division.

Heres a quick list of returning players from both teams. These players are ones that put up the most pts last season.

Vernon:

Connor Jones 60 pts
Braden Pimm 54 pts
Kellen Jones 52 pts
Mike Collins 50 pts
Cory Kane 42 pts
Bryce Kakoske 37 pts
Rob Short 34 pts

Chicago:

Mark Anthoine 28 pts
Alex Krushelnyski 18 pts
Greg Wolfe 27 pts

Maybe this is where Gill figures he will shine and be one of if not the teams top player. We also dont know what goes on behind closed doors. Maybe Gill wasnt a big fan of Mark Ferner or Jason Williamson? We just dont know what really happened or Gill's actual reasons for leaving.

I really enjoyed watching Sahir in a Vipers jersey this past season and was really looking forward to him returning. Like I said before If Gill returns the Jones-Gill line would have been one of the top lines in the BCHL this coming season. Id like to wish Sahir all the best in Chicago and thank him for some great memories this past season.

SilverBacks' Ferster Headlines WJAC Coaching Staffs:

SilverBacks' Ferster headlines WJAC coaching staffs

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 - Submitted by Hockey Canada

While the first puck drop is still four months away, the coaching staffs are in place, the camps have been scheduled and the road to the 2009 World Junior A Challenge in Summerside, P.E.I. has begun.

Canada West and Canada East – the only teams to medal at all three World Junior A Challenges – have put the finishing touches on their staffs and will soon begin the scouting process as the tournament heads east for the first time.

For the westerners, who saw their two-year reign as gold medalists end with a loss to the United States in last year’s final game in Camrose, Alta., it will be a familiar face behind the bench, as Rylan Ferster returns for his second-consecutive tour of duty, his first as the team’s head coach. Ferster, the head coach of the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks, has big shoes to fill: he is replacing Boris Rybalka, who led Canada West to two golds and a silver in his three years at the helm.

"To be able to be part of anything with Hockey Canada is truly an honor," says Ferster. "Last year was a great experience, to work with elite athletes and coaches like Boris Rybalka and Dwight McMillan. We have assembled a great staff this year, and hopefully we can reclaim the gold."

Joining Ferster behind the Canada West bench will be a pair of assistant coaches – Larry Wintoneak of the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers and Barry Butler of the MJHL’s Wawayseecappo Wolverines. The three coaches, along with general manager Leonard Strandberg – who returns for a second tournament as GM – will scout players at games and showcase events in Canada West’s five leagues (BCHL, AJHL, SJHL, MJHL, SIJHL) in the early weeks of the Junior A season before the final roster is named in mid-October.

"This season provides us with new challenges in putting together a team that will challenge for a gold medal, challenges that we as a staff are prepared to meet head on," says Strandberg. "Rylan, Larry and Barry, along with myself, will strive to put together a group of character individuals with all the tools and abilities necessary to compete at this elite level."

Canada West will hold an evaluation camp in late September, with dates and locations announced at a later date.

For Canada East, which failed to reach the gold medal for the first time in three years in 2008, settling for bronze, there will be the added pressure of playing on home ice for the first time ever. Leading the way will be head coach Todd Gill, who played parts of 19 NHL seasons with seven teams (Toronto, San Jose, St. Louis, Detroit, Phoenix, Colorado, Chicago) and now serves as owner and head coach of the CJHL’s Brockville Braves.

"Any time you can represent your country is a privilege; I was fortunate to represent Canada as a player at the IIHF World Championship (in 1992), and it was an experience I will never forget," says Gill. "I'm excited to be able to coach some of Canada's most talented Junior A players and very fortunate to have two highly-respected coaches to help achieve the goal of bringing home gold."

Gill will have plenty of previous World Junior A Challenge experience on the Canada East staff to draw from – assistant coach Patrice Bosch of the LJHAAAQ’s Inouk de Granby won bronze with the 2008 team in Camrose in the same role, while general manager Marty Abrams of the OJHL’s Wellington Dukes makes his fourth appearance in as many years – his third as GM after serving as an assistant coach at the first tournament in 2006 in Yorkton, Sask. James Richmond of the OJHL’s Georgetown Raiders will serve as the other assistant coach.

"I believe we are in a terrific position to go into Summerside and win Canada East’s first gold medal," says Abrams. "We will be looking for players with heart and determination, and with the coaching we have assembled we feel we have a great chance to be successful."

Canada East will hold camps through August for the five leagues that make up Canada East (OJHL, NOJHL, CJHL, LHJAAAQ, MJAHL) and will, like Canada West, scout players at games and showcase events early in the season.

The 2009 World Junior A Challenge kicks off on November 1 at Credit Union Centre in Summerside.

Boston U Getting A True Character In Santana:

Id like to take the time to congradulate Vipers forward, Ryan Santana on getting a scholarship this coming season at Boston University. Santana come to the Vipers this past season after playing last year in the USHL. From day 1 at the Vipers training camp last summer, Ryan stood out from all the rest. This kid could skate, score and overall I thought was the best player at the Vernon camp. Mr. Santana was my favorite player this past hockey season, Ryan played with his heart on his sleave, giving it it all each and every shift. A true leader Ryan reminded me alot like former Vipers captain, Mike Ullrich. Just the way he played and carried the puck, his size and hard work made him very difficult for the visitors to knock him off the puck. A solid two way player who didnt put up big numbers (12 goals-13 assists-25 points) played well at both ends of the rink, especially in his own end. Santana's work ethic, grit and strong skating made him very strong in and around the net. Santana who went down during the Vipers playoff run in the Interior Conference Finals vs Salmon Arm, come back not at 100% during the Doyle Cup vs Grande Prairie, showing his heart and desire to play and win. Ryan then took home the most sportsmanlike award at the RBC Cup in Victoria. Ryan is going from winning the Royal Bank Cup with the Vipers to now joining the defending Champion Boston University Terriers. Id like to thank Ryan for a great season with the Vipers and wish him nothing but the best of luck in Boston. Thanks for some great memories!

This now puts the Vipers with 11 players who have picked up scholarships:

Kyle Bigos Merrimack (NCAA Div. I)
Cameron Brodie Colgate (NCAA Div. I)
Ryan Santana Boston University (NCAA Div. I)
Mike Collins Merrimack (NCAA Div. I)
Chris Crowell Alaska Anchorage (NCAA Div. I)
Andrew Hammond Bowling Green (NCAA Div. I)
Cody Ikkala Army (NCAA Div. I)
Connor Jones Quinnipiac (NCAA Div. I)
Kellen Jones Quinnipiac (NCAA Div. I)
James Kerr (With Alberni Valley) Princeton (NCAA Div. I)
Braden Pimm Northeastern (NCAA Div I)

Gill Leaves Vipers For Steel:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Gill leaves Vipers for Steel

Cory Bialecki/Morning Star

Published: July 05, 2009

It’s official – Vernon Viper twins Connor and Kellen Jones will be setting up a new linemate in the 2009-10 B.C. Hockey League season.
Sahir Gill, 17, who earned the plum assignment of playing on the top line with the Jones boys as a rookie last season, has opted to play with the Chicago Steel of the U.S. Hockey League.
Gill was selected by the Steel in the fifth round (56th overall) in the 2009 USHL Draft.
Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner was somewhat bewildered by Gill’s decision.
“I feel like we treat our players pretty good here. Here’s a young player, 16-years-old, playing on the top line, the top powerplay unit, and he goes and makes a lateral move to another league.
“He had offers from big (NCAA) schools and he had NHL teams looking at him. There will be lots of teams who will question Sahir for making this decision.
“He’s a good, young player and he’s a good kid, but he’s getting influenced from other areas.”
Gill, 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, recorded 18 goals for 39 points and four penalty minutes in 54 BCHL games. He added 8-9-17 in 17 playoff appearances, and helped the Vipers claim the Royal Bank Cup national Junior A championship in May.
With potentially nine returning Viper forwards, plus two highly-touted prospects, Ferner isn’t overly concerned about filling Gill’s roster spot for the coming season.
“We’ll move forward, and we’ll be fine this year,” said Ferner.
The Steel finished second-to-last in the USHL’s Eastern Division at 31-37-2, missing the playoffs.
Gill did not return phone calls from the Morning Star.

Rob Short & The Tigers Advance To Semis:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Tigers advance to semis

Published: July 05, 2009

The Vernon Re/Max Tigers thrashed the Rutland Raiders 8-1 Thursday night at Kelowna Memorial Arena, sweeping the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League best-of-three quarterfinal playoff series.
From start to finish, the third-place Tigers dominated both ends of the floor, by providing killer offence in the sixth-place Raiders’ end, and superb goaltending in their own.
The 8-4-2 Cats will now face the second-place South Okanagan Flames in semifinal action starting Monday night at Kelowna Memorial. Game two goes Wednesday at Wesbild Centre (7:30). Game three, if needed, would go Friday at Memorial. The Flames, who received a first-round bye finished their regular season at 8-3-3.
Josh Phillips posted 39 saves and held the Rutland shooters scoreless, until the third period, when Iain Hart scored Rutland’s only goal.
“The boys displayed a strong all-around effort,” said Vernon coach Rich Zecchel. “The defence played phenomenal in front of Josh, who stepped it up when we had a chance to sweep the Raiders and move onto round two.”
Captain Robbie Short led the way for the Cats, potting two goals and supplying five assists. Short had 13 points in the series. Rookie Ryan Landels pulled the hat-trick, while Craig Bigsby pocketed a pair and Brennan Plante added a single. Jordan Jarvis chipped in with two assists.
The Tigers’ powerplay cashed in four times.
Vernon kept their cool come the end of the game, when Rutland tried stirring up a brawl knowing they were on the verge of being swept. Zecchel was pleased with the Tigers’ discipline.
“The boys did a good job of not giving in to Rutland’s rough play at the end of the game and just held on for the win. We took only 20 minutes in penalties, compared to their 42.”
In other quarterfinal action, the Kamloops Venom held a 1-0 series lead over the Kamloops Rattlers, thanks to a 6-5 win Thursday night. Game 2 went Saturday night, with a third, if required, going tonight.

Santana Off To Boston University:

This is on the Vipers website:

The Vernon Vipers hockey club is pleased to announce that 20 year old forward Ryan Santana has committed to play for the very prestigious Boston University Terriers. Boston University is the defending NCAA champion.

Santana came to the Vipers after a year in the USHL and did everything that was asked of him. He was a key ingredient in making the Vipers a championship team. Santana was a very good two-way player. He was not only very gifted offensively but more importantly, he was extremely good on the defensive side of the puck. This is exactly what Boston University was looking for.

The Vernon Vipers would like to wish Ryan continued success in his hockey career. This is a great accomplishment and very well deserved.

BCHL Trade's For The Month Of June:

Here's a look at trades that have happened in the month of June, these have been posted on the BCHL League web site.

01-Jun-09 The Burnaby Express Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Thomas Hardy (F)(91) to the Merritt Centennials Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of R Jay Berra (F)(90).

02-Jun-09 The Powell River Kings Hockey Club tranfers the playing rights of Derek Hill (D)(90) and Ryne Bodger (D)(89) to the Merritt Centennials Hockey Club in order to complete the future player section of the Jordan Grant from Merritt to Powell River in Jan 2009.

02-Jun-09 The Powell River Kings Hockey Clubtransfers the playing rights of Neil Chambers to the Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club as future considerations for the transfer of the playing rights of Darcy Huisman (D)(89) during the 2008-09 season.

08-Jun-09 The Merritt Centennials Hockey Club acquire the playing rights of Stephen Wall (91) from the Spruce Grove Saints Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for the future considerations section in the transfer of Tyler Barr from Merritt to Spruce Grove in Jan 2009.

09-Jun-09 The Quesnel Millionaires Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Joshua Fersovitch (F)(89) and Jeff Wright (D)(89) to the Ft McMurray Oil Barons Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for the playing rights of Kirby Holcrow (91).

09-Jun-09 The Burnaby Express Hockey Club acquire the playing rights of Cody Bremner (F)(90) in exchange for securing, via subsequent trade, the future consideration section in the July 2008 transaction between the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and the Victoria Grizzlies that saw Derek Lee go to Victoria for the 2008-09 season.

15-Jun-09 The Merritt Centennials Hockey Club acquires the playing rights of Alex Valenti (F)(89) from the North Bay Skyhawks of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) for the future considerations part of the 2008-09 transfer of Andrew Glasser (D)(90) to North Bay.

15-Jun-09 The Nanaimo Clippers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Nic Chartier (89)(F) to the Estevan Bruins Hockey Club of the SJHL for future considerations.

16-Jun-09 The Nanaimo Clippers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Evan Smith (89)(G) and Matt Betker (89)(F) to the Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Konrad Sandor (90)(F) and Dan Correale (91)(F).

16-Jun-09 The Nanaimo Clippers Hockey Club transfers the recently acquired Konrad Sandor (90)(F) and Dan Correale (91)(F) to the Burnaby Express Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Greg Bay (89)(D) and Cody Bremner (90)(F). This completed a 3 team player(s) transaction between Burnaby, Prince George and Nanaimo.

24-Jun-09 The Westside Warriors Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Jordan Gidaro to the Woodstock Slammers of the MJAHL in exchange for the playing rights of Peter MacIntosh.

28-Jun-09 The Westside Warriors Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Devon Murtagh (89)(G) to the Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

29-Jun-09 The Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Paul Barclay (89)(G) to the Surrey Eagles Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Darnell Dyck (F)(91) and future considerations.

Vipers Holding Reunion:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Snakes holding reunion

Ryan Bayda of the Carolina Hurricanes is coming from Saskatoon. Lanny Gare has already flown in from Germany. Petr Chytka is arriving from Arizona.
You may recognize the names. They were all-stars with the 1999 Royal Bank Cup champion Vernon Vipers, who are holding a 10-year reunion this weekend.
“We’re all going golfing at Spallumcheen on Saturday and we want to invite the public to Boston Pizza on Saturday night,” said Lennie Rampone, captain of that national-title winning team.
“We should be there after our golf outing around 8:30 or nine, and would love for old fans and billets to stop by and say hi.”
Rampone not only pocketed a Royal Bank Cup ring, but met his future wife – Katie Maxnuk – in Vernon. The couple have a one-year-old son, Jonah, and they recently moved from Calgary to Kelowna, where Lennie works for a mortgage architect company.
“There is so much tradition in Vernon’s Junior A hockey history and hopefully, we can make this an annual event for all the alumni,” said Rampone.
The Vipers pretty much sleep-walked to the B.C. Hockey League pennant in the 1998-99 season, winning 50 regulation games and taking two of four shootouts before beating the Chilliwack Chiefs in a five-game Fred Page Cup series.
Vernon, led by the dynamic line of Gare, Bayda and Tyler Knight, then took out Dany Heatley and the Calgary Canucks in a five-game Doyle Cup series.
In the RBC, in Yorkton, Sask., the Vipers went 1-3 in the round-robin before bouncing the Bramalea Blues of Ontario 3-2 in the semis and crushing the Charlottetown Abbies 9-3 in the final.
The Vipers’ John Bradley, of Kamloops, was named Top Defenceman.

Veteran Leidl Finally Got His Wish:

This is on the Vipers website:

Veteran Leidl finally got his wish

by don klepp Added 2009-07-01

It took five years, but finally Mike Leidl had his wish fulfilled when he was traded to Vernon on January 7. The veteran BCHLer, who turned 21 on January 18, says that he wanted to play in Vernon ever since he was a 16-year old rookie with Williams Lake in the 2004-2005 season.

Mike played three years in Williams Lake, and then was picked up by Quesnel when the Timberwolves folded in 2007. In the 2007-2008 season, he was a Millionaires’ assistant captain and a mainstay on defence. Then, during the 2008 off-season he was traded to the Victoria Grizzlies, who were loading up for the RBC Cup. Mike looked forward to playing for a winning team, but before the 08-09 season began, Victoria traded him to the Burnaby Express for high-scoring defenceman, Lee Baldwin.

The Express thought enough of Mike to make him their captain. But Burnaby’s season didn’t meet expectations as the team languished in last place in the Mainland division of the Coastal Conference. Understandably, Mike was delighted to learn that he had been moved to Vernon: “besides the Vipers having a good team, their captain was Chris Crowell, who’s been a good friend for years, so I was happy when I found out I was coming here.”

He says he felt comfortable right from the start in the Vipers’ den: “the players made me feel welcome, and the coaches told me to just play the way I always do, because that’s why they brought me here. They said they knew what I was like and what I would bring to the table. As it turns out, the system we played here was familiar to me and to be honest, it suits my game.”

That style is familiar to Viper fans; Mike is a stay-at-home defenceman who doesn’t rush the puck a whole lot, but who makes a good first pass out of his zone. Also, he knows when to pinch at the opposition blue line and very seldom gets caught. Another part of his game is using his 210 pounds to body check opposing forwards. Though not known as a punishing bruiser, he very effectively stops players in their tracks.

Perhaps his most accomplished skill is his shot blocking, which has earned him and the Viper goalies a fair amount of good-natured ribbing from team mates. They say that Mike sometimes stops more shots than the goaltender. About his shot blocking heroics, he says that it’s something he started when he was a rookie and that he’s “not scared of doing it.” He adds ruefully, “back then I often took shots in places I didn’t want to, but now I’m better at taking shots on the shin pads.”

He’s had only one serious injury blocking shots. Three years ago, he took a slap shot to the throat and lost his voice for two weeks. Thankfully, there’s been no permanent damage to his larynx.

The secret to his shot blocking expertise? With a grin, Mike says “just close your eyes and hope for the best.” More seriously, he adds “you have to know where the shooting lanes are and then you kind of watch the shooter’s eyes and time the shot. Timing is huge.”

Mike quietly revels in the Vipers’ RBC win, but he has some unfinished business as he weighs his options for playing college hockey. A strong student, he has been taking three on-line courses from Thompson Rivers University in order to stay eligible for four years of NCAA play.

Next week’s feature will be on Ryan Santana.

No Rest For Tigers:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

No rest for Tigers

The Vernon Re/Max Tigers were hoping for a league title and first-round playoff bye.
Instead, the Cats lost 11-9 to the Kelowna Warriors Saturday night at Wesbild Centre, and started the Thompson Okanagan Junior B Lacrosse League best-of-three quarterfinal series Tuesday night against the visiting Rutland Raiders.
Game 2 goes Thursday in Rutland with a third game, if required, set for Saturday night in Vernon.
“That was the first time since 2003 we’ve had a chance to finish that high,” said Tigers’ co-coach and president Rich Zecchel. “We played lousy. We took too many stupid penalties.
“They’re very quick and they pressure the ball well and we didn’t react to the pressure.”
Deryk McPhail, who finished second in the league’s points parade with 26-19-45, pocketed 4+1 as the Warriors won the league pennant at 8-3-3, taking the head-to-head tiebreaker over the South Okanagan Flames, who had the same record.
The Tigers settled for third place, one point back of the leaders, at 8-4-2.
The teams were tied 3-3 after one period and 6-6 after 40 minutes Saturday night.
“In all of our ties this year, the other team came back on us in the third, so it was nice for our guys to come from behind and win the way they did,” said Warriors’ coach Kelly Cahill. “Our goal was to win the league and get a bye in the first round and we’re thrilled to have done that. We have a good group of young men here.”
Scott Renner (2), Braden Renner (1+2), Casey Wood, Lucas Cahill, Victor Wiens and Shawn Houchhausen completed the Warriors’ offence. Max French and Jake Brown each pocketed a pair of assists. Kelowna outshot Vernon 54-36.
Riley Soleway pulled the hat-trick for the Tigers, scoring twice in the first period. Vernon captain Rob Short, who led the Tigers in scoring with 13-13-26, supplied 2+3.
Miles Jespersen (2), Jordan Jarvis and Craig Bigsby rounded out the Vernon offence in front of Josh Phillips.
The Tigers took 10 minor penalties and a major (spearing to Jarvis), while the Warriors received seven minors. Jarvis, who was Vernon’s second leading scorer with 12-13-25, picked up three minors.
Vernon defeated sixth-place Rutland (4-9-1) twice by two goals in the regular season. The Raiders beat the fourth-place Kamloops Rattlers (7-4-3) and tied the fifth-place Kamloops Venom (6-6-2) down the stretch. The Rattlers and Venom are in the other quarterfinal series.
Vernon’s Joel McKenzie rolled an ankle on a ball in practice and was doubtful for the series opener.

Oilers Head Scout MacGregor Talks About Bigos:

Listen to Edmonton Oilers head scout Stu MacGregor on Vipers D-man, Kyle Bigos

http://oilers.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=26&id=44474