Thursday, April 16, 2009

Former Coaches Return To Vernon As Visitors:

There are a few interesting storylines for the Doyle Cup, here’s a look….

Grande Prairie Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Mike Vandekamp has an extensive BCHL coaching career in Merritt, Vernon and Powell River. Vandekamp also coached the WHL Prince George Cougars. Vandekamp has been named BCHL coach of the year twice including in 2001-2002, his first year as the head coach of the Vipers. Vandekamp Coached Vernon for four seasons (2001to 2005) taking the Vipers to a Fred Page Cup Championship in 2002-03. The Vipers eventually were eliminated by the Camrose Kodiaks in the Doyle Cup. Vernon Vipers Assistant Coach, Jason Williamson was Captain for Mike Vandekamps Vipers back in 2001-02. Vipers Forward Braden Pimm is cousin’s with Bernie Pimm (Director of Scouting for the Grande Prairie Storm) Pimm was once a scout with Vernon before joining the Vipers as an Assistant Coach in (2004-05) & then named Interm Head Coach the following season after former Vipers Head Coach & GM Troy Mick had to step down as Coach just days before the season, due to health problems. The Vipers then hired Mark Holick the following season, as Bernie was back as the clubs Assistant Coach. In 2007-08 Bernie would leave the team, after getting a management position with the Vernon Kal Tire. It was shortly after that Pimm would become the Grande Prairie Storms Director of Scouting.

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