Former Vernon Viper Collins Attending Minnesota Wild Development Camp:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Mike Collins is currently attending
the Minnesota Wild Development Camp July 9-14th.  Collins was one of twenty Division 1 players named CCM Hockey AHCA Division 1 All-Americans last year, as well was one of seventy seven players up for  last years Hobey Baker Award. The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player. Collins finished his third season at Merrimack College. In 38 games this season Collins has (17-21-38). Collins played two season's in Vernon (2008-2010) In 119 regular season games with the Vipers Collins recorded (55-71-126)

Mike Collins Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=122117

This is posted on the Wild website:

Wild Development Camp

Friday, 07.05.2013

Wild fans will get a chance to see the club's top prospects at Development Camp next week. A three-on-three tournament will be open to the public at Xcel Energy Center during three days during the camp.

Minnesota will host a development camp for team prospects July 9-14 at Xcel Energy Center. The camp will focus on the development of the organization’s top young prospects in both on-ice and off-ice settings. Director of Player Development Brad Bombardir and Hockey Operations Advisor Andrew Brunette will lead the on-ice sessions along with Barry Karn and Andy Ness. The Wild’s coaching staff will also meet with the players and work with them off the ice. In addition, players will participate in daily strength and conditioning education sessions and receive nutritional instruction.

A total of 36 players are scheduled to attend the Wild’s 2013 Development Camp, including 20 selected by Minnesota in the NHL Entry Draft. Players scheduled to attend include: Brett Bulmer, Raphael Bussieres, Mathew Dumba, Tyler Graovac, Johan Gustafsson, Erik Haula and Zack Phillips, along with all seven players selected in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Click here for a PDF of the camp roster and all the invitees.

Fans can drop in on the action at Xcel Energy Center as the three-on-three tournament is free and open to the public. Gate One will open 30 minutes before the start of each session:

2:30 - 5:15 p.m. Thursday, July 11
2:45 - 4 p.m. Friday, July 12

***UPDATED: Saturday's session will be a full-ice srimmage***

3 - 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13

Former Vipers Defenceman Noonan Attending Nashville Predators Development Camp:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Garrett Noonan is currently
attending the Nashville Predators Development Camp July 9-13th . Noonan finished his third season at Boston University. In 34 games this season Noonan collected (6-13-19). Noonan was drafted by the Nashville Predators in Round 4 #112 overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Noonan played one season in Vernon (2009-2010) collecting (2-16-18) in 58 regular season games with the Vipers.

Garrett Noonan's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=48219

This is posted on the Predators website:

Nashville Predators Development Camp Opens Tuesday, July 9

Tuesday, 07.02.2013

By Press Release  - Nashville Predators

-Many of the club’s top prospects, including Seth Jones and Filip Forsberg to attend-

Nashville, Tenn. – Many of the Nashville Predators top prospects – including 2013 fourth overall selection Seth Jones and 2012 11th overall selection Filip Forsberg – will be on hand when the team’s 2013 Development Camp officially opens on Tuesday, July 9 at Centennial Sportsplex. The first group of skaters will hit the ice at 8:30 a.m., and players will be available to the media at the conclusion of their respective on-ice session (see schedule for breakdown). The camp continues through Saturday, July 13 with four on-ice sessions coming Tuesday, July 9; Wednesday, July 10; Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13. Players will also participate in community relations activities on Thursday afternoon; a full release with times and locations will be available in the coming days.

The purpose of the camp is to educate and direct players in their pro development and conditioning programs, and the week’s events will be presided over by the Predators coaching and hockey operations staff, including new Director of Player Development Scott Nichol and Assistant Coach Phil Housley. The Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals (AHL Affiliate) coaching staffs, will lead the scheduled training regimen, which includes a variety of dry-land activities and workouts, on-ice fundamentals work, off-ice testing, media and nutrition education, and team-building activities. The players will also receive instruction on training principles such as sport-specific power and strength enhancement, flexibility and off-ice conditioning.

Many Predators prospects dating back to the 2009 Entry Draft will be in attendance, in addition to several from last weekend’s 2013 draft.

All on-ice workouts at Centennial Sportsplex are open to the public. On-ice sessions are currently scheduled for:

TUESDAY, July 9 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, July 10 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, July 12 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, July 13 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Each session will see three groups go for roughly 90 minutes with media to follow.

The development camp schedule is attached, and a full roster will be released later this week. Please note that players will be available for interviews after the events/activities take place; please contact the Nashville Predators Communications Department for more information on specific events/activities. The schedule is subject to change.

BCHL Trades From Month Of June:

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

01-Jun-13 The Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Conner Collett (93)(F) to the Calgary Mustangs Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations.

01-Jun-13 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Geoff Crisfield (93)(D) to the Spruce Grove Saints Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations.

01-Jun-13 The Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Riley McDougall (93)(F) to the Calgary Mustangs Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations.

01-Jun-13 The Salmon Arm Silverbacks Hockey Club acquires the CJHL playing rights of Colten Meaver (93)(F) in exchange for future considerations.

01-Jun-13 The Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Shane Poulsen (94)(D) to the Merritt Centennials Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Brendan Lamont (94)(F).

01-Jun-13 The West Kelowna Warriors Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Reid Simmonds (93)(F) to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for the playing rights of Taylor Graham (93)(F).

01-Jun-13 The Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Lyndon Stanwood (93)(G) to the Chilliwack Chiefs Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Brodyn Nielsen (94)(F) and future considerations.

05-Jun-13 The Cowichan Valley Capitals Hockey Club acquire the playing rights of Myles Powell (94)(F) from the Carleton Place Canadians Hockey Club of the CCHL in exchange for future considerations.

07-Jun-13 The Cowichan Valley Capitals acquire the CJHL playing rights of Patrick Arnold (93)(D) from the Milton Icehawks Hockey Club of the OJHL in exchange for future considerations.

10-Jun-13 The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Zach Urban (93)(D) to the Ft. McMurray Oil Barons Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for the playing rights of Chris Rygus (93)(D).

10-Jun-13 The Coquitlam Express Hockey Club acquires the playing rights of Chris Rygus (93)(D) from the Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Nic Renyard (94)(G).

10-Jun-13 The Coquitlam Express Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Chris Rygus (93)(D) to the Penticton Vees Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

10-Jun-13 The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Michael Stiliadis (94)(G) to the Georgetown Raiders Hockey Club of the OJHL in exchange for the playing rights of Alex Adams (93)(D) and future considerations.

11-Jun-13 The Cowichan Valley Capitals Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Taylor Grobowski (94)(F) and Connor LaCouvee (94)(G) to the Nanaimo Clippers Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations

12-Jun-13 The Victoria Grizzlies Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Jaden Schmeisser (93)(D) to the West Kelowna Warriors Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations

17-Jun-13 The Langley Rivermen Hockey Club transfer the playing rights of Ben Butcher(95)(F) to the Chilliwack Chiefs Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations

20-Jun-13 The Langley Rivermen Hockey club acquire the CJHL playing rights of Brock Crossthwaite(94)(G) from the Blind River Beavers of the NOJHL in exchange for future considerations

25-Jun-13 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club has traded the CJHL playing rights of Jace Henning(95)(F) to the Coquitlam Express Hockey Club in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of Brent Lashuk(94)(F)

26-Jun-13 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Spencer Schoech(93)(D) to the OCN Blizzard Hockey Club of the MJHL in exchange for Future Considerations

26-Jun-13 The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club has acquired the CJHL playing rights of Jonah Renouf(94)(F) from the Oakville Blades of the OJHL in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of Devon Toews(94)(D) and Future Considerations

26-Jun-13 The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club has acquired the CJHL playing rights of Nathan Renouf(94)(F) from the Oakville Blades of the OJHL in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of Glen Ferguson(94)(G) and Future Considerations

26-Jun-13 The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club has acquired the CJHL playing rights of Eric Chore(93)(F) from the Oakville Blades of the OJHL in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of Michael Stenerson(93)(F) and Future Considerations

26-Jun-13 The Surrey Eagles Hockey Club has acquired the CJHL playing rights of Patrick Chore(93)F) from the Oakville Blades of the OJHL in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of Michael Santaguida(93)(G) and Future Considerations

28-Jun-13 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club has acquired the CJHL playing rights of Christian Weidauer(93)(D) From Carleton Place Hockey Club of the CCHL in exchange for Future Considerations

Former Vipers Forward Kane Attending Vancouver Canucks Development Camp:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Kory Kane is currently attending
the Vancouver Canucks Development Camp July 7-12th.  Kane will be entering his fourth year at Ferris State University this hockey season.  Kane played two season's in Vernon playing in 119 games with the Vipers collecting (42-55-97). 

Kory Kane's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=119311

This is posted on the Canucks website:

Canucks Report: Prospect Camp begins

Sunday, 07.07.2013

By Colin Hope

Hitting the Ice

The Vancouver Canucks 2013 Prospect Development Camp began at Rogers Arena Sunday and for some of the 38 youngsters it was a first taste of the professional game and a chance to skate on the Canucks home ice.

One of those players eager to hit the ice for the first time a member of the Canucks was 2013 4th round pick, Jordan Subban, who got some helpful advice from his older brothers, both NHLers, P.K. and Malcolm.

“They just said ‘don’t stress,'" said Subban. "I’m just going to try and enjoy the experience and have fun with it.”

At the other end of the spectrum is Frankie Corrado, who’s attending the camp for the third time in his young career.

“Every time I’ve been here I’ve always been the young guy, but this time I think it’s a great chance for me to show my leadership skills and guide some of the other guys, as other guys did for me,” said Corrado.

Getting back on the Rogers Arena ice felt good for the 20 year-old defenceman, who got just a taste of the NHL life during last season.

“It was nice to get some time off after a long season, but I would have liked for it to have been longer,” said Corrado who got back in the gym six weeks ago after playing 89 games split between his junior clubs and the Chicago Wolves and the Canucks.

“You know, you’ve never been here enough times to stop learning and I just hope to learn new things about myself each time.”

Fitness Testing

Sunday began off the ice with the Canucks training staff pulling out the measuring tapes, stop-watches, weights and, of course, the dreaded stationary bikes.

It was a quick turnaround for 2013 9th pick overall Bo Horvat, who just arrived in Vancouver for the first time on Saturday.

“It was a tough morning, a lot of tough testing, I can feel it in my legs already,” laughed the stocky centreman.

After the doctors and training staff were finished with the players, it was time to split up into two groups of the on-ice testing.

On-Ice

The players jumped on the ice after lunch to find it had been littered with cameras and more trainers with stop-watches and iPads. They were then run through a gauntlet of skating drills meant to measure their speed, stride, turning and pivoting ability.

A few, like Brendan Gaunce and Corrado, were hooked up to heart monitors connected to computers spitting out their breathing rates, heart rate and countless other readings. Corrado took quite an interest in his readings, joining the doctors on their separate bench.

“Under Coach Tortorella there’s going to be some different testing," said Corrado. "It seemed like some pretty challenging stuff, but you prepare for it and just do your best.”

While the skaters were stretching their legs out on the ice, the goalies were stretching just about everything else off the ice, in a yoga session.

It will be a busy week for the Canuck prospects, who will be dragon-boating, climbing up the grueling Grouse Grind and visiting BC Children’s Hospital before scrimmaging on Thursday.

Click the link below for a look at the Canucks development camp roster,

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=677114&navid=DL|VAN|home

Former Vipers Forward Soleway Attending Phoenix Coyotes Development Camp:

Jedd Soleway is currently attending the Phoenix Coyotes development camp July 8-11th.  Soleway played his first year in Vernon (2011-12) before
being traded to Penticton in his second season with the Vipers on December 5th 2012 for forward Dexter Dancs. In 26 games with the Vipers last year Soleway collected (5-12-17) while In 22 games with the Vees last season Soleway collected (14-15-29). Soleway was drafted 193rd overall in the 7th Round by the Phoenix Coyotes back in June.  Soleway was also drafted 227th overall in the 16th Round by the United States Hockey League (USHL) Tri-City Storm back in May. Soleway attended the Chicago Blackhawks Pre-Draft combine back on June 8th and 9th.

Jedd Soleway's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339730&playerID=821199 

This is posted on the Coyotes website:

Coyotes to Hold Prospect Development Camp July 9-11 at Ice Den

Wednesday, 07.03.2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes will hold their prospect development camp July 8-12 with on-ice sessions taking place July 9-11 at the Ice Den (9375 East Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260). All on-ice sessions will be from 2:15 to 3:45 p.m. daily and are free and open to the public.

Among the top prospects expected to attend the camp include former first round draft choices Max Domi (2013), Henrik Samuelsson (2012), Connor Murphy (2011), Brandon Gormley (2010), and Mark Visentin (2010). In addition, prospects including forwards Lucas Lessio, Jordan Martinook, Brendan Shinnimin, and Arizona natives Zac Larraza and Brendan Burke will participate. Coyotes prospect Tobias Rieder of the Kitchener Rangers (OHL), who was acquired this year from Edmonton, along with all of the Coyotes 2013 draft choices will also attend the camp.

The camp will provide players with NHL coaching and instruction in both on and off-ice workout sessions. Players will be available to the media at 3:45 p.m. daily following their on-ice training sessions.

ROSTER

Goalies

 No. 35 - Louis Domingue
 No. 40 - Mark Visentin
 No. 60 - Brendan Burke
 No. 72 - Marek Langhamer

Defensemen

 No. 5 - Connor Murphy
 No. 33 - Brandon Gormley
 No. 57 - Mathieu Brisebois
 No. 68 - James Melindy
 No. 70 - Rhett Holland
 No. 71 - Niklas Tikkinen
 No. 73 - Justin Hache
 No. 74 - Connor Clifton

Forwards

 No. 15- Max Domi
 No. 34 - Mikhail Plotnikov#
 No. 39 - Brendan Shinnimin
 No. 47 - Hunter Fejes
 No. 48 - Jordan Martinook
 No. 51 - Lucas Lessio
 No. 55 - Henrik Samuelsson
 No. 56 - Tobias Rieder
 No. 58 - Jordan Szwarz
 No. 59 - Darian Dziurzynski
 No. 62 - Jedd Soleway
 No. 63 - Philip Lane
 No. 64 - Zac Larraza
 No. 75 - Yan-Pavel Laplante
 No. 76 - Laurent Dauphin
 No. 78 - Brenden Walker#
 No. 79 - Jackson Playfair#
 No. 80 - Philippe Halley#
 No. 81 - Justin Feser#
 No. 82 - Josh Currie#
 No. 84 - Cam Braes#
 No. 85 - J.T. Barnett#
 No. 86 - Adam Antkowiak#
 No. 90 - Taylor Burke#

# Attending as free agent

Capitals Sign Former Vernon Vipers Strachan & Watkins:

The Washington Capitals have signed former Vernon Vipers defenceman Tyson
Strachan & former Vernon Vipers forward Matt Watkins.  Strachan & Watkins now join two other former Vernon Vipers in the Capitals organization, (Aaron Volpatti & Chay Genoway).   

Tyson Strachan split last season between the American
Hockey League (AHL) San Antonio Rampage and the Florida Panthers.  In 24 games with the Rampage Strachan collected (1-8-9) and in 38 games with the Panthers Strachan picked up (0-4-4).  Strachan was drafted by Carolina in the 5th Round (137th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.  Strachan signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers in July 2011 after playing the previous four seasons with the AHL Peoria Rivermen & the St. Louis Blues. Strachan played just one season in Vernon (2002-03) collecting (6-22-28) in 56 regular season games with the Vipers, before playing four years at Ohio State University.

Tyson Strachan's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=72630

The New York Islanders signed Matt Watkins back on July, 3rd 2012 to a one-year, two way contract.  Watkins would never play with the Islanders starting and finishing the 2012-13 season with the Islanders farm club the American Hockey League (AHL) Bridgeport Sound Tigers playing in 68 games collecting (11-19-30).  The Islanders would eventually place Watkins on waivers on September 14th 2012.  Watkins was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 5th Round 160th overall in 2005 but never played with the Stars, before signing an entry-level contract with the Pheonix Coyotes in 2009 as a free agent.   Watkins played just one game with the Coyotes during the 2011-12 season while playing with the Coyotes farm club the AHL Portland Pirates.  In 70 games with Portland Watkins collected (11-25-36).  Watkins played one season in Vernon (2004-05) collecting (36-38-74) in 60 regular season games with the Vipers.

Matt Watkins Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=74941

This is posted on the Capitals website:

Capitals Sign Tyson Strachan, Matt Watkins and David Leggio

Monday, 07.08.2013

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Tyson Strachan, right wing Matt Watkins and goaltender David Leggio to one-year, two-way contracts, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Strachan, 28, played in 38 games with the Florida Panthers last season, compiling four assists and 40 penalty minutes. He ranked third on the Panthers in penalty minutes and also recorded nine points (one goal, eight assists) and 22 penalty minutes in 24 games with San Antonio of the American Hockey League (AHL).

The 6’3”, 225-pound blueliner has recorded 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) and 127 penalty minutes in 120 career NHL games with Florida and St. Louis. Strachan has collected 68 points (12 goals, 56 assists) and 270 penalty minutes in 216 AHL games with San Antonio, Peoria and Albany. The Melfort, Saskatchewan, native spent four seasons at The Ohio State University and was originally drafted by Carolina in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Watkins, 26, registered 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) and 43 penalty minutes in 68 games with Bridgeport of the AHL in 2012-13. The 5’11”, 180-pound forward ranked fifth on the team in points and served as the Sound Tigers’ captain during the 2012-13 campaign.

The native of Aylesbury, Saskatchewan, has compiled 123 points (49 goals, 74 assists) and 153 penalty minutes in 253 career AHL games with Bridgeport, Portland and San Antonio and has appeared in one NHL game with the Phoenix Coyotes. The former University of North Dakota forward was originally drafted in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Leggio, 28, compiled a 38-24-1 record with a 2.56 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage and four shutouts in 64 games last season with Rochester (AHL). He led the league in wins and games played in 2012-13, ranked tied for fourth in the AHL in save percentage and19th in goals-against average last season. Leggio set career-best marks last season in games played, wins, goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts.

The 6’0”, 185-pound goaltender owns an 88-62-3 record with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in 156 career AHL games with Rochester, Portland, Albany and Binghamton. The Buffalo native helped TPS win the SM-liiga championship in Finland during the 2009-10 season and in 2006-07, he led the Clarkson University Golden Knights to an ECAC championship where he was named team MVP, ECAC Goaltender of the Year and was on the ECAC’s First All-Star Team. Leggio was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Buffalo in August 2010.

Rallying Around The RBC Cup:

This was in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Rallying around the RBC Cup

Published: July 10, 2013

On July 4, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee showed commendable leadership when they agreed to further support the 2014 RBC Cup.

The host committee appreciates the regional district's backing of the event.

Financial and staff support from the regional district and the City of Vernon are essential in running a cost-controlled event. Combined with sponsorship dollars and gifts-in-kind, municipal subsidies will help keep ticket prices affordable.

Our civic leaders clearly support this national event, which will generate between $3.5 million and $4 million of economic activity over the 10 days of the tournament and its related events. We urge local business and hockey fans to join in making the next RBC Cup the best ever.

Have you heard the saying that it takes an entire village to raise a child?  Well, it takes an entire community to ensure the success of a national tournament of this magnitude.  We saw that level of support this May in Summerside, P.E.I., where attendance records were set in a community less than half the size of Vernon.

We plan to draw visitors from across Canada this coming May. Recently, that marketing drive received a healthy injection of $14,450 from the tourism advisory committee that administers Vernon's hotel tax fund. We are using that money to attract visitors for an exciting Okanagan vacation combined with the hockey tournament. Our goal is a minimum of 150 visitors over and beyond the usual number of travelling fans. A conservative estimate places the total of that additional spending at about $180,000.

Out-of-town visitors spent about $2 million in Summerside this year and we will better that mark.

The Regional District of North Okanagan, the City of Vernon, and the tourism committee are investing in Greater Vernon. Hockey fans, it's your turn. The best seats will go fast, especially when Viper season ticket holders move to guarantee their seats by their Sept. 15 deadline. Keep your eyes peeled for special incentives that will be announced soon.

And please join us in thanking our civic leaders for supporting an event that once again will bring national recognition to the North Okanagan.

Mike Lane,

Chair of the Host Committee

Greater Vernon 2014 RBC Cup

Vernon-Powell River Trade:

This is posted on the BCHL website:

08-Jul-13 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Braeden Russell(93)F) to the Powell River Kings Hockey Club in exchange for Future Considerations

08-Jul-13 The Powell River Kings Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Braeden Russell(93)F) to the Kinston Voyageur in exchange for the CJHL playing rights to Aidan Wright(93)(D) and Future Considerations

Braeden Russell's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=97086

Oilers Trade Former Vipers Defenceman Bigos To San Jose:

The Edmonton Oilers have traded former Vernon Vipers defenceman Kyle Bigos to the San Jose Sharks.  Bigos finished his fourth and final year at Merrimack College last season. In 30 regular season games Bigos collected (4-7-11). Bigos played two seasons in Vernon (2007-2009) collecting (10-40-50) in 166 regular season games with the Vipers. Bigos an assistant captain in his second and final season with the Vipers was drafted 99th overall by the NHL Edmonton Oilers in the 4th round of the 2009 NHL Draft. Bigos attended the Oilers Developement Camp two out of the last three years.

Kyle Bigos's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=101195


This is posted on the Oilers website:

Oilers acquire defenceman Lee Moffie

Saturday, 06.07.2013

By edmontonoilers.com staff

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenceman Lee Moffie from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenceman Kyle Bigos.

Moffie, 22, spent the past four years at the University of Michigan. Last season, he played 40 games for the Wolverines and had three goals and 13 points plus 46 penalty minutes.

More details to come.

This was in the Edmonton Journal Newspaper:

Oilers trade for defence prospect

July 7, 2013

Oilers sent Kyle Bigos to San Jose Sharks in return for Lee Moffie. It was already clear that Bigos wasn’t in the organization’s plans given his absence from summer development camp along with a multitude of other clues and whispers, more than one of them referencing “hockey sense”. The gigantic rearguard was due to hit the free agent market in August, so the Oilers swapped his rights for those of Moffie.

Both were drafted in 2009, Bigos 99th overall and Moffie 188th, and have since played a full four years in NCAA. In Moffie’s case, that was at the University of Michigan, where the 6’1, 205 lb defender scored 32 points in 41 games in his junior season before dropping way back to 13 in 40 in his senior year. Detailed stats on his player page at U-M suggest Moffie’s powerplay production dried up in 2012-13, but his even-strength output also fell off sharply, notably in +/- which dropped from an impressive +22 to even.

Lee Moffie stats

At this point Moffie is, like Bigos, unsigned. Should the Oilers get the 22-year-old under contract before the August 15 deadline (explained here by Dominik of the fine Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey) he would almost certainly slot in at the minor league level. Possibly Stockton given the traffic jam on the blue in OKC, which might make signing him a bit of a hard sell. Whether any such contract might have an NHL component and put Moffie on the 50-man list remains to be seen.

His “talent analysis” at Hockey’s Future (last updated a year ago) suggests a puck moving defender:

Moffie is a mobile defenseman with excellent poise with the puck, will jump up into the rush and is not afraid to become the trailer on the offensive play. The puck-moving defenseman possesses a very good shot and can get pucks through the traffic to the net by traversing the blue line to change the shoot angles and finding better lanes. His skating is outstanding with smooth strides; good speed and can play both sides of the ice effectively. He needs to shoot the puck more often with his big point shot and play with more physicality down low in his own end of the ice.

Former Viper Twins Connor & Kellen Jones Attending Edmonton Oilers Development Camp:

Former Vernon Viper forwards (Twins) Kellen & Connor Jones are currently attending the Edmont Oilers Development Camp (July 3rd-9th). The Jones twins finished their third season with the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Connor and Kellen both played four years in Vernon (2006-2010). In 163 regular season games with the Vipers Connor collected (80-118-198) Connor also is the Vipers all-time franchise points leader (regular season & playoffs) with 228 & all-time franchise goals leader (regular season & playoffs) with 95. while in 154 regular season games with the Vipers Kellen collected (39-134-173). Kellen is also the all-time franchise assists leader (regular season & playoffs) with 150.

Connor Jones Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=113610

Kellen Jones Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=113607

This is posted on the Oilers website:

Oilers set to host Development Camp

Tuesday, 02.07.2013

By Edmonton Oilers Press Release

General Manager Craig MacTavish announced today the Edmonton Oilers will be hosting their 2013 Development Camp from July 3-9.
 
Millennium Place will host the Oilers top prospects, with 36 players reporting to camp.  All off-ice workouts will take place at Rexall Place. The on-ice workouts at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park will be open to the public.

GOALTENDERS

1 Tyler Bunz
 29 Frans Tuohimaa
 38 Franky Palazzese
 50 Troy Trombley

DEFENCEMEN

74 Darnell Nurse
 77 Joey Laleggia
 78 Martin Gernat
 79 Dillon Simpson
 82 Joey Leach
 84 Oscar Klefbom
 85 Kenny Morrison
 86 Ben Lindemulder
 87 David Musil
 88 Jake Baker
 90 Erik Gustafsson
 95 Ben Betker

FORWARDS

36 Bogdan Yakimov
 41 Aidan Muir
 42 Marco Roy
 43 Reid Petryk
 46 Jacob Doty
 47  Daniil Zharkov
 49 Nick MacNeil
 52 Jujhar Khaira
 53 Mitchell Moroz
 56 Evan Campbell
 58 Andrew Miller
 59 John McCarron
 61 Jackson Houck
 65 Bryce Van Brabant
 67 Travis Ewanyk
 69 Kale Kessy
 71 Kyle Platzer
 72 Connor Jones
 76 Kellen Jones
 96 Greg Chase

For additional information on all the camp attendees, click link below.

http://oilers.nhl.com/v2/ext/pdf/Release-DevelopmentCamp2013.pdf

EDMONTON OILERS 2013 DEVELOPMENT CAMP SCHEDULE


Wednesday, July 3, 2013
8:00am - 2:00pm
Medical & Fitness Testing (Rexall Place)

Thursday, July 4, 2013
9:30am - 11:30am
ON-ICE SESSION (Millennium Place)

Friday, July 5, 2013
9:15am - 11:30am
ON-ICE SESSION (Millennium Place)

Saturday, July 6, 2013
9:30am - 11:30am
ON-ICE SESSION (Millennium Place)

Sunday, July 7, 2013
9:30am - 11:30am
ON-ICE SESSION (Millennium Place)

Monday, July 8, 2013
9:30am - 11:30am
ON-ICE SESSION (Millennium Place)

Tuesday, July 9, 2013
9:00am - 11:00am
SCRIMMAGE (Millennium Place)

Former Vipers Goaltender Hammond Attending Ottawa Senators Development Camp:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender Andrew Hammond is currently attending the Ottawa Senators development camp (July 3rd-9th).   Hammond finished his fourth and final season at Bowling Green University last year before signing with the NHL Ottawa Senators on March 20th 2013.  The Senators farm club American Hockey League (AHL) Binghamton Senators signed Hammond to a amateur try-out contract on March 27th 2013. 
 
Hammond attended the Chicago Blackhawks development camp last year (July) went (10-15-3) with three shutouts and a 2.47 GAA last season at Bowling Green. Hammond played parts of two years in Vernon (2007-2009) after coming over in a trade with the Surrey Eagles during the 2007-08 season. In 52 regular season games with the Vipers Hammond posted a (33-15-1) record recording 6 shutouts.

Andrew Hammond's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=113948

This is posted on the Senators website:

News Release: Senators hold annual development camp, presented by Sport Chek, from July 3 to July 9

All seven picks from the 2013 NHL Draft will attend

Tuesday, 02.07.2013

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators today released the schedule and list of 40 players attending the team’s annual development camp, presented by Sport Chek, which will take place from Wednesday, July 3, to Tuesday, July 9, at Canadian Tire Centre and the Bell Sensplex. The club has invited five goaltenders, 11 defencemen and 24 forwards.

Each of the club’s seven selections from the 2013 NHL Draft, held Sunday in Newark, N.J., will attend. Fans will get their first chance to welcome Curtis Lazar, a centre from the Edmonton Oil Kings who the Senators selected with their first-round pick (17th overall).

The development camp, which focuses on off-ice and on-ice training, is led by Randy Lee, the Senators’ director of hockey operations and player development, and members of the team’s coaching staff including Senators assistant coaches Dave Cameron and Mark Reeds, development consultant Jason Smith, goaltending coach Rick Wamsley, video coach Tim Pattyson, conditioning coach Chris Schwarz, Binghamton Senators head coach Luke Richardson, B-Sens assistant coach Steve Stirling and power-skating specialist Marc Power.

Highlights of the Senators development camp schedule:

 • On-ice training every day at the Bell Sensplex, starting Wednesday, July 3, with the exception of the camp’s final day, Tuesday, July 9, which features the 3-on-3 tournament. Wednesday’s on-ice session will begin at 1:30 p.m.
 • After 2010’s inaugural evening scrimmage (5-on-5), the event will once again be featured for a fourth consecutive year on Saturday, July 6, at 6:45 p.m. at the Bell Sensplex. The scrimmage will be followed by a meet and greet reception with Senators season-seat owners in the fieldhouse on the lower level of the Sensplex.
 • The annual 3-on-3 tournament is set to take place at the Bell Sensplex on Tuesday, July 9, at 9:30 a.m.
 • Off-ice strength and conditioning workouts.
 • Outdoor team-building event the afternoon of Monday, July 8.
 • Vision training session for goaltenders at Dynamic Edge Sports Vision Training Centre (Bell Sensplex). Additional goaltender training sessions to take place at the Complete Hockey Development Centre (Iber Rd.).
 • Specialized sport nutrition seminars held by nutrition specialists Bruce Bonner and Molly Morgan.
 • Planning for success and sport psychology seminars.
 • Position specific video meetings and on-ice sessions.
 • All on-ice workouts, including the team scrimmage and 3-on-3 tournament, will be open to the public.
 • Daily media availability and schedule updates will be available at www.ottawasenators.com in addition to the team’s social media platforms.

Highlights of the players coming to the development camp:

 • Twenty-two (22) players, marked on the list below with an asterisk (*), attended the Senators development camp in 2012.
 • Thirteen (13) players spent at least a portion of their 2012-13 season skating for the American Hockey League’s Binghamton Senators.
 • Twenty-seven (27) of 40 players attending are Senators draft picks and five were selected in the first round.
 • Six prospects have local connections. Cody Ceci is a native of Orleans, Ont. while Francois Brassard, Vincent Dunn and Mathieu Gagnon are natives of Gatineau, Que. Jean-Gabriel Pageau was born in Ottawa and spent the majority of his major junior hockey career with the Olympiques, while Shane Prince spent the last two-and-a-half seasons of his major junior career with the Ottawa 67’s (where he was a teammate of Ceci’s).
 • Five prospects played NHL games for Ottawa last season: Cory Conacher, Derek Grant, Pageau, Mark Stone and Mika Zibanejad.

Click link below for the complete 2013 development camp roster.

http://senators.nhl.com/v2/ext/PDFs/2013%20development%20camp%20roster.pdf

Canucks Sign Former Vernon Viper Forward Santorelli:

The Vancouver Canucks have signed former Vernon Vipers forward Mike Santorelli Saturday. Santorelli spent last season with Tingsryds AIF (Sweeden) during the NHL lockout.  Once the NHL season started Santorelli played with the American Hockey League's (AHL) San Antonio Rampage & Florida Panthers before being claimed off waivers by the Winnipeg Jets on April 3rd 2013. In 7 games last year with San Antonio Santorelli collected (2-3-5). In 24 games last season with Florida Santorelli picked up (2-1-3).  In just 10 games with the Jets Santorelli collected (0-1-1).  Santorelli was drafted by the Nashville Predators in Round 6 178th overall at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft before being traded to the Florida Panthers on August, 5th 2010. Santorelli played one season in Vernon (2003-2004). In 60 regular season games with the Vipers Santorelli collected (43-53-96).

Mike Santorelli's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=76527


This is posted on the Canucks website:

Canucks sign Mike Santorelli

Saturday, 06.07.2013

Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks President & General Manager Michael D. Gillis announced today that the Canucks have signed centre Mike Santorelli.

Santorelli, 27, split the 2012.13 season with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, San Antonio Rampage and Tingsryds AIF. The centreman posted one assist in 10 games with the Jets and three points (2-1-3) in 24 games with the Panthers.

In 208 career NHL games with the Nashville Predators, Panthers and Jets, the Vancouver, BC, native has collected 59 points (33-26-59) and 50 penalty minutes.

The 6’0”, 190 lbs. centre was originally selected by Nashville 178th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

GVAC Directors Agree To RBC Request:

This was in Fridays Morning Star Newspaper:

GVAC directors agree to RBC request

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

 Published: July 05, 2013

Greater Vernon taxpayers are hitting the ice to support a national sports event.

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee agreed Thursday to waive its cut of merchandize sales for the 2014 Royal Bank Cup and absorb the cost of providing clean ice at Kal Tire Place.

“The ask was reasonable and fairly small,” said Mike Macnabb, GVAC chairperson, of the request from the RBC host committee.

“The event will be good for the community. Vernon is a big hockey town and there will be a lot of support from that faction.”

The host committee will also be allowed to control food and beverage service in VIP areas during the national junior hockey championships May 10 to 18, 2014.

GVAC will also allow a second zamboni to be used.

The financial impacts from waiving the percentage of merchandise and controlling food and beverage service in certain areas is not known.

It will cost $8,000 to clean the ice (clearing logos) and $2,500 for the second zamboni (staff time).

The funds will come from an account GVAC uses to encourage special events to be held at Kal Tire Place.

“This is an excellent example of what the seed money was intended for,” said director Bob Fleming.

Beyond these recent decisions, GVAC has already committed free use of Kal Tire Place for the RBC Cup.

That amounts to $22,200 in lost rental fees.

The City of Vernon has provided $14,450 in hotel room tax revenue for marketing.

In return for assistance, GVAC is asking the host committee to pay back the cost of the ice resurfacing and the additional zamboni if the event generates a profit.

Eagles Add Former Vipers Defenceman Smeltzer To Teams Season-Ending Roster:

On June 17th 2013 the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) announced the Season-Ending Rosters as submitted by each of its member teams.   The ECHL Colorado Eagles have twenty players listed on their season-ending roster list, one of is former Vernon Vipers defenceman Isaac Smeltzer.

Smeltzer finished his second season with the Eagles last season. Smeltzer signed a amateur tryout contract with the Eagles last on March.14th 2012 after completing his fourth season at Brock University before re-signing with the Eagles last season. In 58 games last year with Colorado Smeltzer had (2-5-7). Smeltzer played his first three and a half seasons in the BCHL with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs before being traded to Vernon in his final season of Junior hockey (2007-2008). Alberni Valley traded Smeltzer to Vernon on November, 29th 2007 for forward, Evan Witt and defenceman, Eliot Raibl. Smeltzer collected (6-17-23) in 29 regular season games with the Vipers.

Isaac Smeltzer's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=80371

This is posted on the Eagles website:

Colorado Eagles Announce Season-Ending Roster

3 weeks ago

The Colorado Eagles have announced their season-ending roster, placing 20 players on that list.

Season-Ending Rosters may include up to 20 players. Season-Ending Rosters cannot include any players who did not sign an ECHL contract in 2012-13.

Each team is entitled to reserve rights to a maximum of eight players from the list of 20 by extending a qualifying offer no later than July 1. Of the eight qualified players, no more than four can be veterans (260 regular season professional hockey games played as of the start of the 2013-14 season). Players on open qualifying offers cannot be traded. Teams are not required to extend a qualifying offer to players who sign a contract prior to July 1.

The qualifying offer must remain open for acceptance until Aug. 1 at which time the qualifying offer becomes null and void and the team may sign the qualified player to any salary or may elect to take no further action. Teams that extend a valid qualifying offer to a non-veteran player shall retain the rights to that qualified player for one playing season.

A team that extends a valid qualifying offer to a veteran player will retain the rights to that veteran until Aug. 1. After Aug. 1, if the veteran player is not signed to a contract by the team, the veteran shall be deemed a restricted free agent and shall be entitled to seek and secure offers of employment from other ECHL teams. Restricted free agents may not be traded. When a restricted free agent receives a contract offer from a team other than the team with the player’s rights and the restricted free agent wishes to accept the contract offer, the restricted free agent and the offering member must, within 24 hours, notify the ECHL, the team with the player’s rights and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association. The member with the player’s rights shall have seven days after the date it is notified to exercise its right to match the contract offer.

If a restricted free agent is not signed to either an offer sheet or a contract by an ECHL team by Aug. 31, the player shall be deemed an unrestricted free agent.

Listed Below is Colorado’s 2012-13 Season-Ending Roster.

Goalies:

Adam Brown

Kyle Jones

Defensemen:

Arthur Bidwill

Collin Bowman

Isaac Smeltzer

Jason Beatty

Aaron Schneekloth

Forwards:

Jack Combs

A.J. Hau

Teegan Moore

Greg Gardner

Dylan Hood

Kyle Ostrow

Brock Nixon

Michael Forney

Kevin Ulanski

Chad Costello

Trent Daavettila

Riley Nelson

Devin DiDiomete

Grizzlies Trade Former Vipers Defenceman Urban To AJHL:

The Victoria Grizzlies have traded former Vernon Vipers defenceman Zach Urban to the AJHL Fort McMurray Oil Barons.  Urban finished his first season with the Grizzlies after Penticton shipped Urban to Victoria on May, 31st 2012.  In 54 games with Victoria Urban collected (3-20-23).  Urban played one game as an "AP" with the Vipers during the 2010-11 season before playing one season in Penticton during the 2011-12 season.

Zach Urban's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339734&playerID=721283

This is posted on the Grizzlies website:

GRIZZLIES AQUIRE GOALIE NIC RENYARD

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - Submitted by Victoria Grizzlies Hockey

The Victoria Grizzlies Junior A Hockey Club is pleased to announce the acquisition of Goalie Nic Renyard from the Coquitlam Express in a three team trade.

Renyard played two seasons for the Penticton Vees and was secured by the Grizzlies late Monday evening.

The Grizzlies traded 2012-13 Captain Zach Urban to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in exchange for Chris Rygus.   Rygus was then traded to the Express for Renyard, who was the future player sent to Coquitlam for John Siemer.

Grizzlies GM and Head Coach Bill Bestwick is elated to bring home Victoria product Renyard, “Nic has been a # 1 priority this off season and to bring him back to Victoria is great news for our team and fans of the Grizzlies.”

The Victoria Grizzlies Management and Coaching staff wish to Thank Zach Urban for his services to Victoria and wish him much success in his future.

Former Vernon Viper McKissock Commits To SFU:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Josh McKissock has committed to Simon Fraser University for the 2013-14 season.  McKissock spent last season with the KIJHL Fernie Ghostriders.  In 43 games with the Ghostriders McKissock collected (16-35-51).  McKissock attended the Vernon Vipers training camp (2009-10) but was cut during the exhibition season before joining the KIJHL Revelestoke Grizzlies.   

Hosh McKissock's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=48215

This is posted on the Fernie Ghostriders Blog:

Josh McKissock to Simon Fraser

June 27, 2013 -- Burnaby, B.C. -- The Simon Fraser University Men’s Ice Hockey team is pleased to announce that former Fernie Ghostriders' Captain Josh McKissock has committed to join the team for the 2013/14 season.

The forward had an outstanding final year in the KIJHL, notching 51 points and 87 penalty minutes in 43 games with Fernie. Having split his prior two seasons between the BCHL and AJHL, McKissock returns to his hometown of Vancouver with a wealth of Junior A and Junior B hockey experience on his resume.

SFU Head Coach Mark Coletta is familiar with McKissock, having known the local product from his minor hockey days. “Josh is a very well rounded hockey player and a very bright student,” says Coletta, “we think he will excel on and off the ice, which makes him a great fit here. We also expect him to bring a hard-nosed, in-your-face attitude to the ice, something that will help our guys.”

“I am excited to be coming to SFU because it is one of the top schools in Canada, with strong academic values,” says McKissock. “This along with knowing Mark Coletta’s well-respected coaching background and high-end hockey program made it a clear fit for me.” The forward also buys in to his new coach’s expectations. “I play a versatile game, on both sides of the puck, and am willing to go to the greasy areas. In my four years of Junior hockey, coaches trusted me to play in all situations.”

Josh also took note of SFU’s strong season last year. “SFU came close last year. I have won Provincial and Western Championships in the past so I hope to contribute here and win a championship for the University.”

Josh McKissock Quick Stats:
 Age: 21 - Position: F - Shoots: L
 Height: 5’10” - Weight: 170 lbs
 Hometown: Vancouver
 Former Team: Fernie Ghostriders (KIJHL, Junior “B”)

McKissock is the fifth player to commit to SFU for the 2013/14 season. Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

IceGators Add Former Vipers Short & Ofukany To Teams Protected List:

On June 5th the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) announced
the Protected Lists as submitted by each of its member teams. The Louisiana IceGators have added and protected 13 players from their roster, including former Vernon Vipers forwards Rob Short & Troy Ofukany.

Rob Short finished his third season with the IceGators.  In 51 games with Louisiana Short picked up (13-36-49).  Short played five season's in Vernon (2006-2010) and is the only player in franchise history to have his number retired. In 229 regular season games with the Vipers Short collected (61-76-137).

Rob Short's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=102383

Troy Ofukany finished his first season with the IceGators after starting the season with the Central Hockey League (CHL) Tulsa Oilers.   In 23 games last year with Tulsa Ofukany collected (2-4-6).  The Ice Gators signed Ofukany to a three game tryout contract on February 7th 2013 before signing the former Viper on February 14th 2013.  In 23 games last season with Louisiana Ofukany collected (5-6-11).  Ofukany attended the 2004-05 Vernon Vipers training camp, playing in a few exibition games before leaving the Vipers, & signing with the WHL Kelowna Rockets that season.

Troy Ofukany's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=80312

This is posted on the SPHL website:

SPHL Announces Expansion Draft Selections, Protected Lists

Date: Jun 05, 2013

HUNTERSVILLE, NC – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) today announced the results of the 2013 Expansion Draft held for the Bloomington Blaze and Peoria Rivermen.  All players named to the Augusta RiverHawks protected list were eligible for the draft.

(1)  Peoria - Robert Moss
(2)  Bloomington - Kyle Watson
(3)  Bloomington - Alex Morton
(4)  Peoria - Shaun Skelly
(5)  Peoria - Joe Schiller
(6)  Bloomington - Curtis Megginson
(7)  Bloomington - Marcus Pryde
(8)  Peoria - Jason Price
(9)  Peoria - Taylor Larsen
(10)  Bloomington - Dennis Sicard
(11)  Bloomington - Drew Baker
(12)  Peoria - Matt Auffrey

In addition, the protected lists for the 2013-2014 season were released:

Bloomington - Alex Morton, Dennis Sicard, Kyle Watson, Marcus Pryde, Drew Baker, Curtis Megginson

Columbus - Andrew Loewen, Kyle Johnson, Jordan Draper, Will Aide, Levi Lind, Daniel Amesbury, Matt Gingera, Derek Pallardy, Jason Yuel, Tom Fitzpatrick, Chris Bailer, Bret Tyler, Tom Maldonado

Fayetteville - Mike Kavanagh, Corey Toy, John Clewlow, Derek Elliott, Ben Contini, Josh McQuade, Anthony Bergin, Andrew Smale, Chris Leveille, Marco Emond, Brock Sawyer, Kyle McNeil, Brandon Richardson

Huntsville - Stuart Stefan, Justin Fox, Aaron McGill, Leland Fidler, Bill Baker, Justin Cseter, Nick Lazorko, Corey Fulton, Kyle Laughlin, Mike Gurtler, Jesse Kallechy, Dan McWhinney, Sam Cannata

Knoxville - Tyler Fernandez, Jon Higgins, Bryan Hince, Jeremy Klaver, Peter Neal, Brad Pawlowski, Nate Peterson, Eric Satim, David Segal, Ben Souders, Connor Toomey, Mark Van Vliet, Steve Weidler

Louisiana - Matt Robertson, Robert Short, Jeremy Boyer, Kirk Byczynski, Tyler Lyon, Clark Byczynski, Troy Ofukany, Cody Zubko, Greg Brown, Weston Cydell, Dennis Kearney, Riley Gill, Tyler Barr

Mississippi RiverKings - Matt Whitehead, Mike MacDonald, Matt Harrington, Todd Hosmer, Tom Craig, Ian Finnerty, Kevin Willer, Matthew Krahn, David Wilson, Ricky Helmbrecht, Mike Hayward, Tyler Sheldrake, Kyle Lundale

Mississippi Surge - Trent Bonnett, Dan Clarke, Anthony Collins, Reid Edmondson, Matt Gordon, Branden Kosolofsky, Kyle Kudroch, Nicholas Kuqali, Jarkko Leppanen, Matt Ridley, Kiefer Smiley, Adam Stuart, Jeff Winchester

Pensacola - Gabriel Boutin-Gagnon, Brad Cooper, Jordan Chong, Ron Cramer, Jeremy Gates, Ryan Salvis, Steve Bergin, Joe Caveney, John Dunbar, Mitchell Good, Ross MacKinnon, Patrick Knowlton, Ryan Raven

Peoria - Robert Moss, Joe Schiller, Shawn Skelly, Jason Price, Taylor Larsen, Matt Auffrey

Two Former Vipers Taken At 2013 NHL Draft:

Two former Vernon Vipers were drafted Sunday at the 2013 NHL Draft in New
Jersey.  Former Vernon Vipers forward Adam Tambellini was drafted 64th overall in the 3rd Round by the New York Rangers and former Vernon Vipers forward Jedd Soleway was drafted 193rd overall in the 7th Round by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Adam Tambellini was recruited by the Vipers playing his first season in Vernon 2011-12 before being traded to Surrey on the BCHL trade deadline in January for Mason Blacklock and future considerations. In 52 games with the Vipers & Eagles last season Tambellini collected (36-30-65). Tambellini is off to the University of North Dakota this coming season.

Adam Tambellini's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339737&playerID=821203

Jim Cerny interview's Adam Tambellini on Draft Day,

http://blueshirtsunited.com/videos/3639/one-on-one-with-adam-tambellini

This was posted on the Rangers website:

June 30, 09:57 PM

Jim Cerny
BlueshirtsUnited.com

It was an unprecedented wait for the Rangers and the team's Director of Player Personnel Gordie Clark at Sunday's NHL Draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, but once they finally had the opportunity to begin selecting players in the third round the Rangers quickly had three forward prospects to go along with a defenseman and a goaltender before the sixth round was complete.

After dealing their 2013 first round pick to Columbus in the Rick Nash trade last summer, and their second rounder to San Jose in the Ryane Clowe trade right before the 2013 trade deadline, the Rangers were left to wait until the 65th pick in Sunday's draft before they could select a player. And with that pick the Rangers drafted forward Adam Tambellini out of Surrey in the BCHL.

The 6-foot-2, 170 pound Tambellini is the son of former NHL player and general manager Steve Tambellini and the brother of former Islanders forward Jeff Tambellini. In 52 games with Surrey last season Tambellini scored 36 goals and totaled 65 points playing the center position. Clark said that Tambellini has an "NHL shot similar to his father and brother".

"I think I'm an offensive centerman, and I feel that I can contribute with that," said Tambellini, who has committed to attend the University of North Dakota in the fall. "Hopefully I can help fill out a top six (forward) spot in the future. The Rangers have developed a lot of young guys, which is great for me as I head off to college and then hopefully jump in to the organization." 

Jedd Soleway played his first year in Vernon (2011-12) before being traded to
Penticton on December 5th 2012 for forward Dexter Dancs. In 26 games with the Vipers last year Soleway collected (5-12-17) while In 22 games with the Vees last season Soleway collected (14-15-29). Soleway was recently drafted 227th overall in the 16th Round by the United States Hockey League (USHL) Tri-City Storm back in May. Soleway also attended the Chicago Blackhawks Pre-Draft combine back on June 8th and 9th.

Jedd Soleway's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339730&playerID=821199 

Here is a list of all former Vernon Junior Hockey players-coaches who have been drafted into the NHL over the year's. I may be missing some players, please let me know so I can update my blog.

1974 Ed Johnstone 104 New York Rangers
1975 Ken Holland 188 Toronto
1983 Mark Ferner 194 Buffalo
1986 Murray Baron 167 Philadelphia
1986 Scott King 190 Detroit
1987 Dennis Holland 52 Detroit
1987 Kevin Scott 158 Detroit
1988 Dane Jackson 44 Vancouver
1988 Troy Mick 130 Pittsburgh
1989 Jason Marshall 9 St.Louis
1989 Dallas Drake 116 Detroit
1989 Mike Barkley 119 Buffalo
1989 Darcy Martini 162 Edmonton
1991 Bill Lindsay 103 Quebec
1991 Jamie Steer NHL Supplemental Draft Buffalo
1993 Todd Kelman 141 St.Louis
1994 Tyler Harlton 94 St.Louis
1996 Josh MacNevin 101 New Jersey
1996 Jeff Scissons 201 Vancouver
1999 Josh Reed 172 Vancouver
2000 Ryan Bayda 80 Carolina
2000 Kenny Magowan 198 New Jersey
2002 Ryan MacMurchy 284 St.Louis
2003 Tyson Strachan 137 Carolina
2003 Chad Brownlee 190 Vancouver
2003 Matt Zaba 231 Los Angeles
2005 Matt Watkins 160 Dallas
2006 Kevin Koopman 181 Ottawa
2009 Kyle Bigos 99 Edmonton
2010 Kellen Jones 202 Edmonton
2013 Jedd Soleway 193 Phoenix
2013 Adam Tambellini 65 New York Rangers

Former Vipers Defenceman Hetnik Joins UMass Hockey Program:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Marc Hetnik will enter his freshman season with the Minutemen in 2013-14.  The UMass website introduces the newest member of the Minutemen.  Hetnik played the last two seasons in Vernon (2011-2013) playing in 112 regular season games with the Vipers.  Hetnik collected (6-22-28) in his two seasons in Vernon. 

Marc Hetnik's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339739&playerID=821176

This is posted on the UMass website:

Marc Hetnik Joins UMass Hockey Program

The 6-3, 180-pound defensemen from Brookline, Mass., is the newest member of the Minutemen's Class of 2017.

May 20, 2013

AMHERST, Mass. - Marc Hetnik, a 6-3, 180-pound defenseman from Brookline,

"Marc is a big, rangy and mobile defenseman who has the ability to play both ends of the ice," said Micheletto. "He's also shown significant leadership skills in his time in Vernon and we expect all of those things to translate for Marc immediately at the collegiate level. He is a great two-way defenseman who will bring an element of toughness and mobility to our back end."

Hetnik appeared in 112 career contests with the Vipers and totaled 28 points on six goals and 22 assists over his two years in Vernon under head coach Jason Williamson. In 2012, he attended the New England Pro-Am Hockey annual Pre-Draft Showcase and was named the All-Tournament Best Defenseman after helping East Coast Militia to a 5-0 record before falling in the championship game with a goal and three assists over six games at the showcase. During his senior season at Catholic Memorial, Hetnik was selected to the Boston Herald Dream Team in 2011.

Hetnik's father, Marc Hetnik, Sr., played four years of college hockey at Boston University and won a national championship with the Terriers in 1977-78.
Mass., has joined the UMass hockey program as a member of the Class of 2017, head coach John Micheletto announced on Monday. Hetnik spent the last two seasons for the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) after finishing his career at Catholic Memorial in West Roxbury in 2011.

UMass head coach John Micheletto comments on Marc Hetnik,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAby45Xjz3U&feature=player_embedded

Three Former Vipers Hoping To Hear Their Names Called On Sunday In New Jersey:

The final NHL Central Scouting rankings came out in late April and three former

Vernon Vipers (Jedd Soleway, Adam Tambellini & Kevin Guiltianan) were amongst the eight BCHL players were listed.

Kevin Guiltinan was recruited and signed by the Vipers last summer, starting the 2012-13 season with the Vipers before being traded along with future considerations to Prince George on November 22nd for forward Liam Board. In 48  games last season with Vernon & Prince George Guiltinan collected (0-3-3).

Kevin Guiltinan's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339741&playerID=932611

Adam Tambellini was recruited by the Vipers playing his first season in Vernon 2011-12 before being traded to Surrey on the BCHL trade deadline in January for Mason Blacklock and future considerations.   In 52 games with the Vipers & Eagles last season Tambellini collected (36-30-65).  Tambellini is off to the University of North Dakota this coming season.

Adam Tambellini's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339737&playerID=821203

Jedd Soleway played his first year in Vernon (2011-12) before being traded to Penticton on December 5th 2012 for forward Dexter Dancs. In 26 games with the Vipers last year Soleway collected (5-12-17) while In 22 games with the Vees last season Soleway collected (14-15-29). Soleway was recently drafted 227th overall in the 16th Round by the United States Hockey League (USHL) Tri-City Storm back in May.  Soleway also attended the Chicago Blackhawks Pre-Draft combine back on  June 8th and 9th.  
  
Jedd Soleway's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339730&playerID=821199

This is posted on the BCHL website:

BCHL talents hoping to hear their names called on Sunday in New Jersey

Friday, June 28, 2013 - Submitted by BCHL Media

This year's NHL Entry Draft at Prudential Center in New Jersey is later than normal owing to the labour turmoil so a few BCHL players will be having to wait a few extra days to see if they're claimed by an NHL club.

The final NHL Central Scouting rankings came out in late April and eight BCHL players were listed, including the top four Junior A prospects.

Here's a quick rundown of the players who could be in for an exciting weekend:

Adam Tambellini, F, Surrey Eagles (36G, 26A, 26PIM last season)
Tambellini has the NHL bloodlines that scouts love with an NHL dad and older brother. He has a projectable 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame and skates and shoots at a pro level. Committed to North Dakota for next season.

David Pope, F, West Kelowna Warriors (17G, 22A, 20PIM last season)
Pope gave a glimpse of what he could do last season approaching a point-per-game pace with the Warriors. Attended the NHL Draft combine . Commited to the University of Nebraska-Omaha for 2014.

Luke Ripley, D, Powell River Kings (2G, 11A, 85PIM last season)
Ripley became the latest in a long line of blueline prospect from Powell River and displayed a rugged game with 85 penalty minutes. Also showed well at the World Junior A Challenge. Committed to Notre Dame for 2014.

Nolan De Jong, D, Victoria Grizzlies (5G, 19A, 16PIM last season)
De Jong mentored under Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Ryan O'Byrne who was a Grizzlies assistant last season during the NHL work stoppage. Played at the WJAC and is committed to Michigan for the fall.

Dane Birks, D, Merritt Centennials (5G, 15A, 28PIM last season)
Birks is the son of a hockey coach (Trail Smoke Eaters bench boss Bill Birks) and got off to a great start last season with a ton of scouts watching the BCHL Showcase. Committed to Michigan Tech for 2015.

Jedd Soleway, F, Penticton Vees (19G, 27A, 62PIM last season)
Soleway's late surge got him into the Central Scouting rankings after being unlisted earlier in the season. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he has a pro-ready body but will play first at the University of Wisconsin starting this fall.

Kevin Guiltinan, D, Prince George Spruce Kings (0G, 3A, 100PIM last season)
Guiltinan is a throwback-type player that won't likely earn any scoring titles but really enjoys the physical side of the game. Advanced physically at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he's also smart and will go to Harvard in 2014.

Chad Katunar, G, Penticton Vees (25W, 2.36GAA, .920sv%, 4SO last season)
Katunar takes up a lot of the net at 6-foot-6, 218 pounds. Has gone on deep playoff runs each of the last two seasons with the Vees. As a 1993-born player, he's of the older draft-eligible players. Committed to Notre dame for the fall.

BCHL related:

Nic Petan, younger brother of former Coquitalm Express captain Alex, is a projected late first round selection.

Hunter Shinkaruk, cousin of former Powell River Kings and Merritt Centennials forward Carter, is a projected first rounder.

Former Vernon Viper Tambellini Is Expected To Be First BCHL Player Picked On Sunday:

Here is an article in Wednesday's Vancouver Province Newspaper on former Vernon Vipers forward Adam Tambellini.  Tambellini was listed at #42 heading into the NHL scouting combine back in June. Tambellini had the lowest body fat (5.0 percent) and the lowest sum of skinfolds (14 mm). Tambellini finished one spot ahead of Jonathan Drouin in both categories. Tambellini played his first year with the Vipers last season before being traded to Surrey on the BCHL trade deadline in January for Mason Blacklock and future considerations. Tambellini is off to the University of North Dakota next season.

Adam Tambellini's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=378208&playerID=821203


This was in the Vancouver Province Newspaper:

NHL Draft: Adam Tambellini of the Surrey Eagles is expected to be first BCHL player picked on Sunday

By Jim Jamieson, The ProvinceJune 26, 2013

You might think that Adam Tambellini’s hockey bloodlines are enough to get him to a professional hockey career, but he’s done enough on his own to show he’s got a bright future, even if his name were Smith or Jones.

Son of Steve Tambellini — the one-time NHL player, former Canucks executive and ex-Edmonton Oilers GM — and brother of Jeff, who has 242 NHL games under his belt, including a season in Vancouver, Adam is also the grandson of Addie Tambellini — a member of the 1961 world champion Trail Smoke Eaters.

Adam is ranked 42nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting and he’s expected to the first B.C. Hockey League player taken in Sunday’s NHL Draft, possibly as early as the bottom of the second round.

If there has been a burden of expectation because of his last name, Tambellini isn’t showing it.

“I think it’s great to have that,” said Adam, 18, who was born in Port Moody, but moved to Edmonton in 2008 when his father was hired as the Oilers GM.

“I get to look up to those guys and see what they did in their careers to make them successful. All three of those guys are extremely hard working and if I can take a little bit from their game and how they treat people and the way they do their business, I’ll do that for sure.”

A left-shot centre who’s close to 6-foot-3 and a lanky 172 pounds, Adam is taking a similar route to Jeff, 29, though with different stops. He’s just finished his second and final season in the BCHL, beginning with the Vernon Vipers and finishing up with the Surrey Eagles via a mid-season trade this season — whereas Jeff played in Chilliwack during his BCHL days. After the trade Adam scored nearly two points a game and a point a game in the playoffs as Surrey won the BCHL championship. The performance also boosted his Central Scouting rank from 62 at mid-season.

“He’s definitely his own person, taking his own route and wanted to be his own player,” said Jason Williamson, head coach of Vernon Vipers. “That’s really impressive about Adam, wanting to make his own name for himself.”

He has already with Williamson.

“He’s very smart for his age and anytime he gets the puck on the offensive side of the red line he’s very dangerous,” said Williamson. “His shot, his release are at an NHL level already so once he packs on a few more pounds it’s going to be quite scary.”

Getting thicker and stronger is the focus and that’s why Adam has chosen to play U.S. college hockey at University of North Dakota – not Michigan, where his brother played.

“I’d had North Dakota in the back of my mind for a while,” said Adam. “And when they brought me down there and showed me around and what they were offering me, I really couldn’t say no.”

A late-bloomer who was never drafted by the WHL, the college route will give him time to add some bulk onto his frame.

“U.S. college is a lighter schedule and there’s just more time in the gym during the week,” he said. “I can fill out a little more and hopefully be ready for the pro game.”

At the recent NHL Combine, Adam had the lowest body for any of the attendees (an amazing five per cent). He had interviews with 21 NHL teams at the combine, including the Canucks.

“It’s been kind of fun, watching him grow up from a shy little kid to this guy who’s 6-foot-4,” said brother Jeff, who’s signed to play for Modo in the Swedish Hockey League next season. “He’s always been a talented player.”

Williamson summed it up:

“I think he’s a lot more like his dad than his brother. The bloodlines don’t hurt, but if you give him a different last name, we’d still be talking about the same player.”