This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Published: September 24, 2009
Twins Connor and Kellen Jones looked right at home playing on the national stage last May in the Royal Bank Cup. The duo’s relentless forecheck and ability to play as if mind-linked were a key ingredient in the Vernon Vipers’ record-setting fifth Canadian Junior A hockey championship.
The twins, who grew up in Montrose, will look to take their act to the global level as they compete for roster spots on Canada West for the upcoming World Junior A Challenge.
They will join the top-40 players from the five western leagues of the CJHL at a four-day evaluation camp starting Sunday in Okotoks, Alta. The Jones boys are two of 13 B.C. Hockey League products to receive camp invites.
If selected, the twins would travel to Summerside, P.E.I for the tourney, Nov. 1-8.
“We’re not there yet, but hopefully we can be some of the top players on the team,” said Connor. “It would be a great experience to play with such talented players.
“They’re just looking for me and Kel to play our game... just do the exact same thing that got us here.”
Added Kellen: “Playing in Summerside would be pretty sweet. I haven’t gone any place else other than where I’ve gone with Junior A.”
While the brothers would be happy for one another if only one of them made the cut, there is no denying they are a lethal combination. Like Cherry without MacLean, there would be something missing.
“We both play better when we’re together,” said Kellen, who, along with Connor, is taking anthropology and geography courses at Okanagan College.
Added Connor, laughing: “I think they’ve seen me play without Kellen, and they probably wouldn’t want me.”
Fortunately for the Vipers, the twins won’t miss any BCHL action as a result of the camp. However, should they make the team (the final rosters will be announced in mid-October), the duo would miss four league games.
“I don’t really like being away from the guys and missing team games,” said Kellen.
Salmon Arm SilverBacks’ GM Rylan Ferster, who was an assistant with Canada West last year, will move up to head coach.
Canada West have won gold twice since the tournament began in 1996.
There will be five other teams competing at the WJAC – Canada East, U.S., Russia, Sweden and Belarus.
The gold-medal game will be aired on TSN. All other games can be viewed online at www.hockeycanada.fasthockey.com.
Meanwhile, the Joneses will suit up as the 4-0 Snakes entertain a pair of sub .500 teams – the Quesnel Millionaires (1-2-0-1) and expansion Williams Lake Timberwolves (1-2) – tonight and Saturday night respectively at Wesbild Centre.
The challenge, says Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson, is to not overlook either club because both are hungry for points.
“They’ve just got to go out and push each other. When they jump over the boards and see a line come back after a good shift, they’ll try to go out and match that, or be better.
“They’re a pretty focussed bunch. They just take it game by game. We can still be better. It’s about playing a certain way, and not so much about wins and losses.”
Williamson admits to not knowing much about either Northern team, but expects they will both be motivated to take down the defending champs.
“Quesnel’s got a veteran coach (Glen Watson), so you know they’re going to work hard. And Williams Lake is eager and young.
“Our guys can’t take them too lightly – Williams Lake beat Westside (4-2 win), and Quesnel pushed Penticton and Westide (a pair of 4-3 losses).”
Kellen says Vernon’s ability to roll four lines has been a big part of the team’s success so far this season.
“It’s kind of a lot like last year. We’ve got four lines that can all score. I think that’s a key because a lot of teams have two or even one line.
SNAKE BITES: Rookie netminder Blake Voth is expected to make his Vipers’ debut Saturday night against Williams Lake...Vipers’ veteran forward Robbie Short will miss the weekend action, as he is still hampered by the compression cut he sustained in the season opener against Salmon Arm. He is taking light skates with the team on practice days...Although practising with the Snakes, defenceman Nils-Erik Soderlund’s BCHL future remains in limbo. The towering blueliner has been unable to get his rights released from Chadder’s Midget Tier 1 program in Salt Lake City, Utah. “It’s a hang-up with USA Hockey,” said Williamson, adding that a ruling on the situation is pending.
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