Vipers Bolster Blueline With Size:

Going into this weekend and Tuesdays December 1st BCHL Card Deadline I didnt think Mark Ferner and the Vernon Vipers would make any moves. A: The Vipers currently sit at #1 in the BCHL and in Canada with an incredible record at 28-1 B: The Vipers have won 21 straight games. C: The team leads the league in goals, goals against and holds the leagues best powerplay. D: Vernon has five players in the leagues top 20 in league scoring along with having the leagues top two goaltenders. What else can you ask for? Do you want to mess with the team chemistry? Who do you try and aquire or trade? Their are so many questions many Viper fans have been asking. The question now is, did the Vipers give up too much for Curtis Gedig?

Well tonight when I arrived at the game I didnt even get a chance to sit down and had heard the rumors rumbling on todays trade. I think If you overlook the teams record & stats and look towards the BCHL Playoffs, you could see the Vipers needed another solid, big d-man that would add size, toughness and experience to the backend. Is Curtis Gedig that guy? Time will tell. I dont know much on the young man. Vernon does have some younger kids that can be used for trade bait, If your looking for that veteran-experienced player. But do you want to trade away your future prospects for a kid thats only here for the remainder of the year? I think after last years blockbuster trade Mark Ferner pulled off at the BCHL trade deadline, Ferner really saw how much that move improved his hockey club and had the chance again to bring in another big d-man, he wasnt going to say no. With Westside & Penticton having some bigger bodies I think the Vipers felt they needed to add some size.

I personally hate to see two young future prospects go in Drew George & Nick Amies but do think the Vipers needed some size and toughness. After watching last years Playoff run with the Vipers you need size and toughness to get you through those tough seven game series. Sure the Vipers have lots of speed, skill and depth but when it comes down to the Playoffs and the overall physical battles you need that size and toughness. Just look at what Cameron Brodie and Mike Leidl did for the Vipers last year. Lets take a look at the trade.

Curtis Gedig

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=224089&playerID=451818

Gedig is joining his 3rd BCHL team, a West Kelowna kid is coming home, well atleast to the Okanagan. Gedig will add size and hopefully some toughness and grit to the Vipers blueline. Gedig started his BCHL career last year with the Merritt Centennials. On January 5th 2009 the Cents traded Gedig to the Cowichan Valley Capitals for playing rights of Scott Jacklin (90)(F) and Jimmy Geerin (89)(D). Gedig put up (2-10-12) in 30 games with Merritt last year before being traded to Cowichan Valley. In 16 games with the Capitals Gedig put up (2-4-6) This season Gedig put up (6-3-9) in 23 games with the Capitals. Gedig is a seventh-round pick (204th overall) of the New Jersey Devils and is committed to play with the NCAA Division 1 Ohio State Buckeyes for the 2010-11 season.
Id like to welcome Curtis to Vernon and look forward to watching him play in a Vipers uniform.

Drew George

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=224096&playerID=568025

George was highly recruited this past summer by the Vipers. Drew spent last season playing for the Notre Hounds AAA Midget hockey team. George helped lead his team to a national title as they were able to capture the Telus Cup in Winnipeg last month. Drew scored 2 goals and 1 assist in the championship final. Drew was a highly sought after recruit. He received loads of interest, not only from many BCHL teams but WHL teams as well. Last season, Drew was second in the SMAAAHL (Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League) in scoring. He compiled 27 goals 46 assists for 73 points in 43 games played. George got off to a bit off a slow start with the Vipers, before playing his best hockey of the season over the past month. George has (10-7-17) in 24 games with Vernon this year. George is a goal scorer and can put the puck in the net, but wasnt seeing a regular shift in Vernon. With so much talent and depth its hard to get George into the lineup game after game. Drew wasnt the biggest kid and did shy away from the corners and physical play. George needs to be a little more physical and dont back down from the rough stuff, if given the icetime George could be a sniper in this league. Id like to thank Drew for his time with the Vipers and wish him all the best in Cowichan Valley.

Nick Amies

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=224096&playerID=451526

Amies was another kid recruited by the Vipers but also was drafted by the WHL Kelowna Rockets. Amies a local kid from Enderby showed up at Vernons training camp last summer before heading to Kelowna, for a shot at the WHL Rockets Camp. Amies just 16 at the time returned to Vernon and stayed with the Vipers for the remainder of the season. Amies saw very limited icetime due to a solid experienced blueline. Playing in just 25 regular season games with the Vipers recording 2 assists. Amies played in just 1 playoff game and then saw action in 1 game at the 2009 Royal Bank Cup. This season Amies has played in 28 games with the Vipers collecting (2-3-5) Nick come to camp in great shape, and looked to have bulked up over the summer. Really improved on his skating and even stick handling was seeing a regular shift with the #1 ranked Vipers. Amies is a good young future prospect that will give Caps fans lots ot cheer about. Amies will be a solid d-man in this league if given the chance. I was a big fan of Nick's and thought he was playing very well this year. When I heard the rumors at tonights game, I was sad to hear Nick was traded. One of the nicest young men on and off the ice, Amies never complained due to no icetime. The old saying always goes, you always have to give up someone good to get someone good. Im going to miss Nick in a Vipers uniform and wish him nothing but the best with the Capitals.