Hockey Fever:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Hockey fever

By Roger Knox

Published: May 14, 2009

It’s official: the Okanagan is Canada’s hotbed of junior hockey, what with the Vernon Vipers winning a record fifth Canadian Junior Royal Bank Cup championship, and the Kelowna Rockets winning the Western Hockey League title.
The Snakes’ 2-0 victory over the defending champion Humboldt Broncos Sunday in Victoria meant the Vipers finished their season with 11 straight playoff wins, and were easily the class of the five-team field.
It’s also the second time the Vipers won a Royal Bank Cup final by a 2-0 margin, the first coming in 1996 in Melfort, Sask. when Beau Riedel and the Vipers blanked the host Mustangs.
Vernon teams (including the Lakers) are 5-2, as far as championships won, in their seven national tournament appearances.
Congratulations to owner Duncan Wray on his third title, coaches Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson, the team staff and, of course, the players, for a great season.
Now, may I make a suggestion?
The last time it was my turn to write the At Random column, I wrote about how several championship banners were missing from the rafters of the Wesbild Centre, ie, the Vernon Canadians’ 1956 Allan Cup win, and the Vernon Essos’ 1970 and ‘72 championships.
The column generated a lot of response, with many hockey fans agreeing that those teams should be recognized. One local merchant offered to pick up the tab for the banners, and I can pass along his name if asked.
So, to the Vipers’ marketing staff, and/or Greater Vernon Services, I propose opening night in September to be Banner Night, where the Vipers raise their 2009 Royal Bank Cup banner (and league champion and Doyle Cup champion banners, too) to the roof, along with banners recognizing the Canadians and Essos.
And, while I’m at it, with James Kerr not returning, I’ll again make the push that it would be the perfect time for the Vipers to retire the late Wayne Dye’s No. 8.
Dye is the all-time leading scorer in Vernon junior hockey history, and his record 325 career points will likely stand forever.
l In case you haven’t noticed, I’m big on hockey traditions (although I didn’t grow a playoff beard during the Vipers’ run), so it was nice to hear that a hastily-arranged parade was organized for the champs on Wednesday.