Vipers Loaded For Title Chase:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers loaded for title chase

Published: September 04, 2008 6:00 PM Updated: September 04, 2008 7:08 PM

While some teams rebuild, the Vernon Vipers simply reload.The Vipers, who appear to have a powerhouse with 13 returnees and a select group of carefully hand-picked recruits from the U.S. and Alberta, open the 48th B.C. Hockey League season as Interior Conference favourites.Vernon lost to Penticton in seven games, in last year's Conference semifinal. Two years ago, the Snakes fell to the Nanaimo Clippers in the league final.Mark Ferner's crew battles the Salmon Arm SilverBacks in their season opener tonight (7:00, Wesbild Centre). The same two teams meet Saturday night at the Sunwave Centre.

Here's how the Conference standings should look come late February:

1. VERNON VIPERS

Key Returnees: F Kellen Jones (12-55-67), F Connor Jones (24-30-54), F Braden Pimm (15-24-39), F Rob Short (18-18-36), F Chris Crowell (9-17-26), D Kyle Bigos (2-15-17), G Andrew Hammond (21-17-1, 3.19 GAA).Rookie sensations: Cory Kane, a California product who combines size and speed with decent hands, was perhaps the biggest surprise at Vipers' camp. D-man Adam Thompson of the Alberta midget league Calgary Buffaloes is solid enough to log top-four minutes, while Stevie Weinstein of Los Angeles possesses great offensive instincts, and will likely man the point on the powerplay.Strengths: With 13 returning players and a handful of intriguing prospects, the Vipers are considerably deeper than last year. Bigos and Kevin Kraus will anchor a blueline that has both size and mobility. Up front, the Vipers have a pair of flashy playmakers in the Jones twins. Pimm, Sahir Gill and Mike Collins will add scoring punch, while Crowell, Short and Ryan Santana will provide grit and leadership. After a strong training camp, Hammond put his stamp on the No. 1 net detective spot. That leaves Mark Segal, who came to Vernon from the Vancouver Giants’ camp on Tuesday, in the backup role.Coaches quote (Mark Ferner): “We want to play the same style as last year. We want to be a north-south hockey team, and we want to have the ability to wear teams down, which we should be able to do with our work ethic.“Last year, we were in a situation where we really only had two natural centremen. We feel we’re a bit deeper down the middle, and deeper as a whole, not only up front, but on the back end as well.”Prognosis: While the Vipers will sorely miss Hunter Bishop's 57 goals, they should get more balanced scoring over four lines. The key will be finding someone who can keep up with the Joneses.Santana appears primed to fill the void left by gritty veteran Scott Zurevinski, and Collins, a Boston product, has shown he can put up decent numbers.

2. WESTSIDE WARRIORS

Key returnees: F Trevor Bailey (26-34-60), D Justin Schultz (9-31-40), D Cory Pritz (14-26-40) C Ron Kelly (15-23-48).Rookie sensations: Forwards Brett Howe (Lethbridge) and Alex Grieve (Calgary) were both captains in Alberta’s top midget league last year, while forward Kyle Singleton (Pittsburgh midget) has been impressive in camp.Strengths: With six veteran defenceman back, Westside’s strength is on the blueline. NHL draft pick Justin Schultz and team MVP Cory Pritz will be a dangerous one-two punch offensively, while steady Eric Fraser and tough Brad Plumton are 20-year-olds playing in their third BCHL seasons.Coaches quote (Mark Howell): “We have a lot of new pieces. Our back end will be mobile and very efficient. In net we’re still unsure. Up front I think we will be quick and skilled.”Prognosis: The Warriors lost four of its top five scorers and will lean on Bailey to increase his 60 points. Captain Ron Kelly will provide the leadership and work ethic, while big Garrett Watson is a power forward who should increase his 14 goals. The big question is in goal where no one had won the No. 1 spot heading into the regular season.

3. SALMON ARM SILVERBACKS

Key returnees: G Brian Gillis (3.26, 90.19), D Matt Grassi (3-20-23), D Matt Walters (3-13-16), F Zac Rasmussen (15-11-26).Rookie sensations: Forwards Travis Statchuk (Prince Albert) and Chris Hoe (Vancouver) will be looked upon to replace some of the offence lost by graduations and trades while goaltender Tony Ierfino (Quebec) will provide more than a comparable back-up to Gillis.Strengths: The team should be tough to score against with Gillis between the pipes and a defence that returns Grassi and Walters while adding Jason Beattie (from Nanaimo) and Ashford McMaster (from Victoria).Coaches quote (Rylan Ferster): "We're have to play a real team game... make sure we're all on the same page. Certainly, the five guys on the ice have to be on the same page but we need the whole team to be like that. You don't want a bunch of individuals, you can't win in the long way that way."Prognosis: The SilverBacks will be hard pressed to replace their seven leading scorers from last year, even with the addition of Keenan Desmet from Victoria. The goal will be to stay competitive while all newcomers develop some chemistry, especially offensively.

4. PENTICTON VEES

Key returnees: D Zack Josepher (14-24-38), D Nathan Westover (9-14-23) F Anthony Perdicaro (3-11-14), F Vinny Muchalla (0-4-4).Rookie sensations: Forwards Travis Ouellette (32-42-74) and Ryan Viselli (34-46-80) helped the Tecumseh Chiefs junior B club claim the Sutherland Cup (Ontario) last season, while Garrett Milan starred for the Vancouver Northwest Giants in the B.C. Major Midget League.Strengths: The Vees blueline will benefit from the return of Josepher and Westover who bring valuable experience. They will be joined by Matt Paltridge, teammate of Ouellette and Viselli, who brings solid skating skills and the ability to move the puck. Up front, the Vees leadership with Muchalla and Perdicaro, who was invited to the New York Islanders rookie camp, has been boosted by the addition of David Andreassen from the Camrose Kodiaks. Coaches quote (Fred Harbinson): "I like the look of our team right now. I think we have a good mix of experience, a good mix of skill and toughness and I think everyone who has watched our team play on the first four games can attest that we're definitely a quick hockey team."Prognosis: They will be looking to Milan, Ouellette, Viselli and Brent Vandenberg, who scored 35 goals and 68 points in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, among others to be productive. In goal, the Vees are going with 19-year-old import Anthony Borelli and 17-year-old Sean Bonar.

5. QUESNEL MILLIONAIRES

Key returnees: Jeff Malcolm between the pipes. Malcolm led the league in minutes played last season. The Millionaires look to him to anchor their defence. Up front, Trevor Hertz had 31 goals as a rookie, is expected to make a big contribution offensively.Rookie sensations: Both goaltenders, Ty Gullickson and Michael Garteig. Athough still at the camp stage at time of this writing, both have demonstrated great potential.Strengths: Obviously the Millionaires are long on goaltenders, but they're also building depth on defence with the recent three-team trade that brought Jordan Principalli to the side. Also look for an improved possession game buttressed by a faster, bigger forechecking unit, likely lead by power forward Robbie Bailey and returning hometowner Eric Galbraith.Coach's quote (Tom Bohmer): "We're starting to see the fruits of the decisions we made last year to invest in younger talent. With the trades we've made, the changes to the coaching staff and the sponsorship deal with Regency Chrysler, we're sending a powerful message. This is the best team we've had in this market." Prognosis: The Millionaires are hungry for a playoff berth, and have assembled an organization that can make some noise once they're there. After some quiet years, the pieces are falling into place in Quesnel.

6. TRAIL SMOKE EATERS

Key Returnees: F Ryan Bulach (15-18-33) takes over as captain; last season’s back-up goalie Paul Barclay very focused, calm and working well; F Paul Mailey (7-19-26), very impressive in camp; D Patrick Raley (2-9-11) in tremendous shape. F Brian Kang (13-18-32) was obtained from Merritt.Rookie Sensations: F Travis St. Denis, a 16-year-old Trail native is like a sponge, gets better every day, D Dan DeKeyser, a 6-foot-3 import from Detroit, a very good skater, J.F. Boisvert an explosive skater from Quebec, D Steven Koshey looks very good. Strengths: Andrew Pickering (Victoria Grizzlies) averaged more than two points a game, will centre Chad Gehon who averaged over a point a game with Merritt. J.F. Boisvert. Bulach, Mailey and C.J. Legassic will be another powerful line. D Brandon Clark from Cowichan Valley will provide a ton of leadership on the back end.Coach’s quote (Jim Ingram): “Every year you want to make the playoffs. This team is going to be living and learning everyday as far as how to play the B.C. Hockey League. Where we are going to go is completely up to them. We have a lot of smart players here and without question we are looking at a playoff berth, but I am just looking to improve every single day with this bunch, and I think that is the way we have to approach it here because of our youth.”Prognosis: Ingram really likes his team and is having a tough time making final cuts. He’s got a good mix of youth and maturity. The Smokies could be a darkhorse.

7. PRINCE GEORGE

Key returnees: D Zach Davies (11-22-33), F Sammy Muchalla (14-27-41) and G Kevin Genoe (3.21 GAA and 89.33 save percentage in 21 games)Rookie sensations: Blueliner Justin Fillion and forward RJay Berra carry with them a desire to win in their hometown. Nick Desousa, a Fraser Lake product, was also impressive in helping the Spruce Kings defeat the Millionaires three times in the pre-season.Forward Michael Nardi joins the Spruce Kings after a very impressive season playing Major Midget with the Vancouver Thunderbirds, where he compiled 40 goals and 77 points in 53 regular season and playoff games.Strengths: Despite the loss of their leading scorer, Jordy Christian (39-45-84), the Spruce Kings' best asset may be their offence. While they're unlikely to have a player produce points as frequently as Christian, they could have as many as five players hit the 20-goal mark. Among the forwards expected to contribute offensively are returning players Muchalla and Joe Morgan (18-12-30), and newcomers Sean Ambrosie (Winnipeg South Blues of the MJHL) and Alex Allan (Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL). On the back end, a lot of pressure will be put on third-year blue liner Davies to try controlling the pace of the game, while bigger contributions are expected out of Brandon Busse and Wes McLeod.Coach's quote (Ed Dempsey): "We've got lot of depth up front. We might be lacking a prolific goal scorer, but we got a number of forwards that we feel that are very capable of playing in this league and putting up some real good numbers."Prognosis: Genoe sported respectable rookie numbers last season, but struggled in the playoffs against a high-powered Salmon Arm SilverBacks offence. He's still relatively inexperienced, and his play will depend heavily on the defence in front of him, and whether or not they're able to limit opponents' opportunities. The Spruce Kings will once again be on the playoff bubble, and may need between 55 and 60 games just to secure one of the final playoff berths.

8. MERRITT CENTENNIALS:

Key returnees: F Tyler Barr (7-15-187), G Graeme Gordon (3.89 GAA).Rookie sensations: D Curtis Gedig (7-13-70 in 40 games with the Okanagan Major Midgets last season), D Jake Baker (0-8-47 over 37 games with the Port Moody Panthers of the PIJHL), D Todd Fletcher (13-20-86 after 43 games with the PIJHL Ridge Meadow Flames) and D Matt Mazzarolo (1-16-87 in 53 games with the Columbia Valley Rockies of the KIJHL).Strengths: The Centennials have a deeper bench than last year, and they're physically stronger. Coach/GM Al Glendinning has produced a team with balanced scoring ability from top to bottom, and that includes the defencemen.Coach's quote (Al Glendinning): "We'll be more competitive than last year. How far up the chain we go really depends on the commitment we see from these guys. All the guys here want to be here, and they want to get something done. We think we've filled in some real key components here. I couldn't tell you where we're going to end up, but we like what we see."Prognosis: The Centennials should do better than last year, but that won't be hard after Merritt's dismal 13-38-1-8 record. Glendinning plans to build the team around the four rookie D-men.