Kraus Earns Captaincy:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Kraus earns captaincy

Published: September 10, 2009

Getting to Credit Union Place in Dauphin, Man. for the Royal Bank Cup next May.
For elite franchises like the defending Cup champion Vernon Vipers and losing finalist Humboldt Broncos, that is the ultimate vacation destination for next spring.
There are, however, 141 other teams with the same aspirations. The Vipers, who as usual, re-loaded for another marathon playoff dance, are already ranked No. 1 in the CJHL’s pre-season Top-15 poll. Humboldt is second.
Teams get down to business starting tonight with the Vipers hosting the Salmon Arm SilverBacks in their B.C. Hockey League opener. This is the 49th season for the BCHL.


Here’s how Black Press writers around the Interior see teams finishing:

1. VERNON VIPERS

KEY RETURNEES: F Connor Jones (19-41-60), F Kellen Jones (15-37-52), F Braden Pimm (24-30-54), F Mike Collins (25-25-50), D Adam Thompson (7-15-22), G Graeme Gordon (14-6, 2.92 GAA) and D Kevin Kraus (1-18-19).

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: F Dylan Walchuk earned Kootenay International Junior Hockey League rookie-of-the-year with the champion Nelson Leafs. He was the only rookie in top-10 scoring. F Drew George led the Notre Dame Hounds last season with 27-46-73 in 43 games. He helped the Hounds capture the Midget Tier 1 Telus Cup Western Regional Championship.

STRENGTHS: The Vipers have 13 returnees from the team that hoisted the Royal Bank Cup national title last season. With the additions of Walchuk, George and veteran sniper Jonathan Milhouse, the Snakes will once again have four lethal lines up front. Kraus will serve as the Vipers’ captain this year, with the Jones twins and Pimm taking on assistant duties. “These were the guys that came in and took over the leadership role from the start of the season,” said Vipers’ owner Duncan Wray. “It’s nice to see these guys step into the role left by the veterans who left last season.”

COACH’S QUOTE: Mark Ferner: “Having won last year, our expectations are high. We were able to bring back lots of guys that were on that team from last year. We’re ahead of the curve a little bit, but because we have won, every team is going to be ready to play us. Everything has to be surrounded by hard work and accountability.”

2. SALMON ARM SILVERBACKS

KEY RETURNEES: C Mark Zengerle (31-62-93), F Travis Statchuk (8-15-23), F Bobby Lipsett (11-16-27), F David Killip (8-6-14), G Tony Ierfino (18-6-0-0, 2.57, 4 SO). Zengerle will again centre the top line while Statchuk should provide more offence after playing just 33 games last season, missing time battling a sports hernia. Lipsett wears the “C”, and along with Killip, will provide leadership.

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: D Jagger Dirk is just 16 but will play major minutes as coaches hope he’ll be a cornerstone on defence for years ahead. D Charlie Vasaturo is a U.S. prep product and brings size and strength playing a stay-at-home style. F Matt Cassidy should contribute offensively and comes highly recommended from former ’Backs sniper and fellow London, Ont. talent Conor Morrison. F Josh Manson brings speed, size and a leadership pedigree having been a captain on his Prince Albert Midget squad last year.

STRENGTHS: Salmon Arm has improved speed up front and there will be constant competition among forwards to stay in the top-six. Lipsett should thrive being the first Salmon Arm native to be team captain. If Zengerle finds chemistry with new linemates, he and Statchuk will fill the scoresheet.

COACH’S QUOTE: Matt Hughes: “We’re going to put pressure on the puck and force guys to make plays under pressure. We want to utilize our speed and make people play at our pace. We want to be a consistent group that peaks at the right time of the year – the playoffs.”

3. PENTICTON VEES

KEY RETURNEES: F Denver Manderson (15-37-52), F Garrett Milan (25-32-57), F Ryan Viselli (20-32-52), F Logan Johnston (2-3-5), F Joey Holka (3-8-11) D Derik Johnson (0-7-7), D Matt Paltridge (1-15-16) Sean Bonar (11-6-0, 2.45 GAA).

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: F Beau Bennett has NCAA school eyes on him. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound forward scored 25 goals and 58 points in 46 games with the L.A. Midget AAA Under 18 Kings. Alex Szczechura, brother of Paul of the Tampa Bay Lightning, helped the Brantford Junior B Eagles win the Sutherland Cup. He torched goalies for 70 goals and 163 points in 65 playoff and regular-season games. On the blueline, Byron Sorensen, Bo Dolan, Isaac MacLeod, brother of former Vee, Alex, Joseph Laleggia and Luke Curadi join veterans Paltridge and Johnson. MacLeod helped Nelson win KIJHL championship.

STRENGTHS: The Vees have nine returnees who know what coach Fred Harbinson expects. The Vees coach likes the fact that players are grasping system play quickly and are performing without having to think. The forward group is strengthened with Manderson, Trupp, Filiou and Sexton.

COACH'S QUOTE: Fred Harbinson: "We're not just about making flashy plays. We want to use our speed to create turnovers in the offensive zone. We want to pressure teams, finish our checks. Vernon is probably better than they were last year,” adding Salmon Arm, Prince George and Trail have also improved.

4. WESTSIDE WARRIORS

Key Returnees: F Trevor Bailey (20-39-59), C Cam Reid (12-28-40), D Michael Quinn (6-17-23) and G Kevin Jebson (.909 save percentage). Reid was drafted by Nashville in the summer while Bailey should step up his offence in his third and final year with the Warriors. Quinn led the Warriors in playoff scoring and Jebson is a workhorse.

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: F Colton Sissons won’t turn 16 until November but should see considerable time coming out of the Vancouver Giants program. D Izaak Berglund is an offensive blueliner already committed to college while local Max French has made the jump from major midget.

STRENGTHS: As a 20-year-old, Jebson should give the Warriors a chance to win most nights, while a solid group of returning second-year players provides the Warriors with good depth. Reid’s return gives the Warriors a big (6-foot-3), talented centre.

COACH’S QUOTE: Darren Yopyk enters his first year with the Warriors: “I like our depth up front, I think we have four lines we can roll. We have experience on defence and I think our goalie is amongst the best in the league for sure.”

5. TRAIL SMOKE EATERS

Key Returnees: F Travis St. Denis (15-22-37), D Steve Koshey (3-20-23), D Graeme Strukoff (1-11-12), F Riley Loyst (8-7-15), F Nick Sandor (14-28-42).

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: Matt Wilkins’ name has been passed around Trail since word spread he was considering coming to the Smokies. He was the top goal scorer per game in the KIJHL last season with the Kimberley Dynamiters. Sam Mellor is a 17-year-old “goal-scoring playmaker” also from the Dynamiters. He tallied 19-21-40 in 51 games. Devon Murtagh will be a good addition in net. He’s 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and is 14-6-0 career with Westside and Victoria Grizzlies.

STRENGTHS: Returning captain Paul Mailey is a good fit to lead the team, being an all-around player who can score, hit, get back on defence and drop the gloves if needed. Tye Lewis is a good new addition. The 5-foot-10, 175 pounder will bring some fresh energy and experience. Colin Lidster, a 6-foot-4, 224-pound forward, played with the SilverBacks last year.

COACH'S QUOTE: Jim Ingram: “We’ve got some great young kids coming to the team this year and with the experienced veterans to show them the ropes I think we will have a great mix.”

6. QUESNEL MILLIONAIRES

KEY RETURNEES: The Mills moved a fistful of 20 year-olds to make room for new faces, but have retained a solid core of veterans. Trevor Hertz starts his third BCHL season as team captain. The 20-year-old netted 36 goals and 72 points last year, splitting the season between the Mills and Victoria, following a 56-point rookie year with the Mills. Glen Watson, coach of the Mills, is counting on Hertz to provide leadership on and off the ice. Watson will also look to defencemen Eliot Raibl (25 points/40 games) and Sam Higgins (17 points; from Victoria Grizzlies).

ROOKIES: The Millionaires will rely on several rookies to make the adjustment to Junior A. At the top of the list are 18-year-old twins Bond and Brendan Hawryluk, who tallied 68 and 69 points, respectively, with the Peace River Royals of the Alberta Rural Midget AAA league. The brothers previously played for Watson. Homegrown 16-year-old Spencer Graboski, shortlisted for the under-17 Team Pacific team, is sure to be a crowd favourite.

STRENGTHS: After a tough last season, the signing of Watson in the offseason can be viewed as somewhat of a coup for Quesnel. Watson brings a ton of playoff experience, including the finals of the Royal Bank Cup, Allan Cup, as well as MJHL and SJHL championships.

COACH'S QUOTE: Glen Watson: “We're in a tough division with Vernon and Penticton. We want to make it into the pack behind them, get ourselves into a playoff spot. The team's starting to look like the way we want it to look, we have to change our identity as a team.”

7. PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS

KEY RETURNEES: F Sammy Muchalla (21-32-53), F Andrew Pickering (12-19-31), F Joe Morgan (22-17-39), D Wes McLeod (6-24-30) and D Justin Fillion (5-16-21)

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: F Jeff Earnest joins the Spruce Kings from the highly-touted San Jose Junior Sharks hockey program. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound native of Whittier, Alaska put up some impressive numbers with the Midget U18 AAA Sharks team last season. In 58 games, he collected 17 goals, 31 assists and 76 penalty minutes. Murrieta, Calif. native Kyle Manlow spent last year with the San Diego Gulls of the Tier 3 Junior A Western States League. Manlow was second in Gulls scoring with 36-26-62 in 51 games.

STRENGTHS: Before McLeod elected to stay with the Spruce Kings one more season, the team’s defence appeared average. His decision to put the start of his Division 1 career with the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves on hold, turns the Spruce Kings’ defence into one of its strengths. McLeod’s supporting cast on the blueline includes three returnees – Justin Fillion, Josh Pineiro and Geoff Morgan. The Spruce Kings solidified their goaltending when they acquired 20-year-old Evan Smith. Veteran F Brooks Robinson came over from the Grande Prairie Storm.

COACH’S QUOTE: Ed Dempsey: “Last year’s team was a very good team. Obviously, we started with a lot of young guys at the beginning of last year, and by the end of the year we had developed into an excellent hockey club. The way of the world for us here in Prince George (is that) lots of times we have high turnover...”

8. Merritt Centennials

Key Returnees: F Dustin Johnson (23-12-35), F Alex Valenti (22-15-37), F Colton Sobchak (11-18-29), D Steve Tresierra (5-19-24), D Brad Bourke (5-17-22)
Rookie Sensations: F Daniel Chang (Valencia, Calif.), F Silvan Harper (Vancouver), G Norbert Bizczsak (North Delta)

Strengths: The Forsythe brothers – head coach Dylan and general manager Tyler – bring a new look and feel to the Centennials after an eight-year Al Glendinning era. On paper, the Cents should be a lot stingier on defence with seven blueliners with BCHL experience. Offseason acquisitions include F Thomas Hardy (Burnaby Express), D Derek Hills and Ryne Bodger (Powell River Kings), D Jeff Zmurchyk (Trail Smoke Eaters).

Coach’s Quote: Tyler Forsythe: “Our aim is to compete each and every night, to be disciplined, to play responsibly and with controlled aggression, and to make the playoffs.”

9. WILLIAMS LAKE TIMBERWOLVES

KEY RETURNEES: Despite rejoining the BCHL after a two-year absence, the Timberwolves will be looking to establish themselves as a factor in the league's Interior Conference immediately.

ROOKIE SENSATIONS: F Trent Murdoch has the hands and skill set to make an immediate impact in the BCHL. The son of Timberwolves' GM Geoff Murdoch, Trent was second in VIJHL scoring (27-38-65) with the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. Joining him from the Glacier Kings is G Kirk Croswell, who led all VIJHL netminders with a 91.85 save percentage.

STRENGTHS: Perhaps the Timberwolves' strengths will pour from their biggest weakness – inexperience. Head coach Dave Dupas is in the unique position of having the ability to mold the squad into roles and play-styles he sees will most benefit the club.

COACH'S QUOTE: Dave Dupas: "My style is all about puck pursuit. It's pressure pucks all over the ice – d-zone, offensive zone, neutral zone – we're going to try to force teams into mistakes...The work ethic is non-negotiable."

Vernon Vipers 2009-10 Roster:

#3 Defence Garrett Noonan 91 Norfolk, MA 6'1" 205
#4 Defence Erik Soderlund 90 Carlsbad, CA 6'4" 205
#5 Forward Mike Collins 90 Boston, MA 6'1" 180
#6 Defence Darrin Robak 91 Red Deer, Alb 6'2" 180
#7 Defence Dan Nycholat 89 Calgary, Alb 6'2" 190
#9 Forward Dylan Walchuk 92 McBride, BC 5'9" 170
#10 Forward Connor Jones 90 Montrose, BC 5'10" 170
#11 Forward Cory Kane 90 Irvine, CA 6'3" 198
#12 Forward Cole Ikkala 90 Philadelphia, PA 6'0" 205
#14 Forward Braden Pimm 89 Fort St John, BC 6'0" 190
#15 Forward Kellen Jones 90 Montrose, BC 5'10" 168
#16 Forward Drew George 91 Cupar, SK 6'0" 165
#17 Forward Bredan Persley 93 Kelowna, BC 6'1" 200
#19 Forward Jonathan Milhouse 89 Yorba Linda, CA 5'10" 185
#20 Forward Rob Short 89 Coldstream, BC 6'0" 207
#21 Defence Kevin Kraus 89 Garden Grove, CA 6'2" 200
#22 Forward Sawyer Mick 91 Vernon, BC 6'1" 180
#24 Defence Steve Weinstein 90 Los Angeles, CA 5'9" 175
#25 Defence Nick Amies 92 Enderby, BC 6'2" 190
#27 Forward Bryce Kakoske 90 Vernon, BC 6'0" 205
#28 Defence Adam Thompson 90 Calgary, Alb 6'1" 198
#29 Forward Patrick McGillis 91 Calgary, Alb 5'10" 185
#30 Goaltender Blake Voth 91 Herbert, SK 5'10" 170
#35 Goaltender Graeme Gordon 89 North Vancouver, BC 6'2" 197