Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Vipers Complete Deadline Deal With Express?


It looks as if the Vernon Vipers have completed the big deadline deal with the Merritt Centennials & Burnaby Express wich took place back on January 7th 2009. Here's a look back at one if not the biggest trade just days before the BCHL Trade Deadline.

07-Jan-09The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfer the playing rights of John Digness (89)(D) and future considerations to the Burnaby Express Hockey Club in exchange for the playing rights of Cameron Brodie (88)(D).

07-Jan-09The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club acquire the playing rights of Mike Leidl (D)(88) from the Burnaby Express Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

07-Jan-09The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfer the playing rights of Steve Tresierra (90)(D) to the Merritt Centennials Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

Check out the Burnaby Express blog http://expressvoice.blogspot.com/ for an interview with Coach Dave Mclellan, Mclellan talks about how the future considerations from last seasons trades are coming together, and his recruting efforts for the upcoming season.

Mclellan talks about the Vernon-Burnaby trade that happened days before the BCHL Trade Deadline. Mclellan mentions that the Express have aquired veteran BCHL goaltender, Harrison May from the Merritt Centennials, via the Vernon Vipers. Mclellan dosnt mention any other players involved in the deal. This means it looks as if Harrison May is the only player going the other way. Until listed on the BCHL transactions page, this is how the deal looks,

The Vernon Vipers trade Steve Tresierra to the Merritt Centennials for Harrison May, Vernon then trades May & John Digness to the Burnaby Express for Cameron Brodie & Mike Leidl.

In the end this deal worked out and helped the Vernon Vipers capture their 5th National Championship. The Vipers who lost Tresierra & Digness gained two solid veteran d-men in Brodie & Leidl who made a huge improvement on the blueline. This trade made an impact to the Vipers defence and overall team wich got bigger, stronger, added that veteran leadership and physical presence to the backend wich helped them to the RBC Cup. Now that the season is over it looks as if May will be the only player going the other way, wich really means the Vipers didnt have to give up or lose any players-future prospects on their current roster. Now Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson can build next years team around the core group of veteran players that will be returning from this years Championship team.

The Centennials can now build their backend in and around Steve Tresierra who will be a great leader on and off the ice. Tresierra will add that veteran experience to the Cents blueline. John Digness now in his 2nd season in the BCHL and first full season in Burnaby will carry on what he brought to the Express last season. Digness is great on specialty teams, a hard working kid who is aggresive on the forecheck and can pot the odd goal or two when needed. In Vernon Digness didnt get the chance at playing on the top two lines but may get that chance with the Express. Harrison May will add that veteran presence between the pipes. May who started the season this year with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs was traded to the Merritt Centennials and became an Interior Division All-Star having to stand on his head many nights. Overall I think all three teams won in this deal.

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