This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:
Dorais primed for more minutes with Bulldogs
By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: June 02, 2009
After two B.C. Hockey League seasons of being on the outside looking in with the Vernon Vipers, forward Trent Dorais decided it was time to find a new home.
Dorais, who turned 18 in April, has committed to play with the Coastal Conference Alberni Valley Bulldogs for the 2009-10 season.
The Bulldogs offered Dorais, who was unable to crack an extremely deep Vipers’ forward roster, something he couldn’t refuse – more ice time.
“They offered me a top-six spot, and I needed more ice,” said Dorais, who visited Alberni Valley last weekend. “Me and my parents decided it was in my best interest, and hopefully I can get a scholarship.
“Being with Vernon the last two years have been a good experience. I’ve learned a lot and hopefully I’ll be able to carry some of that experience to Alberni.”
The gritty 5-foot-10, 170-pound winger posted two assists and 14 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Vipers last season.
He joined the Sicamous Eagles of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League partway through the season to get more ice time and to play a more prominent role on a team.
In Sicamous, he tallied seven goals, 18 assists and 133 penalty minutes in 41 games while helping lead the Eagles to the KIJHL conference finals.
Alberni GM/head coach Nolan Graham is thrilled to have Dorais as part of the Bulldogs’ rebuilding process. They finished last in the Coastal Conference in each of the last two seasons.
“As a person, he’s a top-notch personality. That’s a big part of our program, and Trent fits that to a tee.
“He’s an extreme competitor, I love the way he competes. You can tell he’s not a selfish player and he does a lot of things that will be valuable to a BCHL team.”
When asked why he didn’t give it one more shot to earn a regular spot with the Vipers, Dorais says it all came down to what was on offer.
“In my year-end meeting, they (Vipers) didn’t offer the same thing Alberni did,” said Dorais, adding he was disappointed to not get into any playoff games when the Vipers had injured forwards.
“Nolan is a great coach. He’s enthusiastic and he’s excited to rebuild their team and I’m happy to be a part of that.”
Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner was somewhat surprised by Dorais’ move to the Bulldogs. He only found out about it when someone saw the press release on the Bulldogs’ website.
“It was disappointing for us,” said Ferner, who discovered Graham came to Vernon to meet with Dorais and his family while the Vipers were in the midst of their playoff run.
“He (Graham) could have just made a simple phone call and we would have been fine with that.
“He’s (Dorais) a great kid, no question. We would have liked for him to come and make our hockey team. He had the opportunity to try to be a top-12 guy here. I guess he didn’t feel comfortable with that.”
Dorais grew up in North Vancouver, where he played hockey at the North Shore Winter Club before moving to Vernon four years ago.
How Ferner could be surprised about Trent's move is beyond me. He was one of the hardest working kids at camp, a second year player and he got sat in the home opener, He should have left then. Ferner is a great coach obviosly, his team just won a national championship but I don't like the way he treats our local players. As far as i'm concerened Short, Kakosky and especially Dorais get overlooked a lot by the Vipers. There are a lot of talented hockey players in this town and none of them want to even try out for the vipers any more. Good Luck to Trent, Albernie fans are in for a treat!
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