Snakes Set To Defend RBC Title:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Snakes set to defend RBC title

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star

Published: April 29, 2010

Whether they are staying at the ultra-luxurious Westin Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, or a Super 8 on the Manitoba Prairies, the goal remains the same for the Vernon Vipers.

Sure, they were probably spoiled a bit by the swanky surroundings at the Royal Bank Cup last May on Vancouver Island, but the Snakes were full credit for going undefeated at 6-0 to earn a record-setting fifth national Junior A hockey championship.

The Vipers are now ‘in the mix for six’ as they launch their RBC title defence Saturday night (5 p.m. PT) against the host Dauphin Kings. Vernon is looking to become the first team to repeat as national champions since the Vernon Lakers did it in 1990 and ‘91.

“Obviously last year the room was pretty nice, and it’s Victoria in May, which is pretty nice, but it doesn’t matter whether we’re going to Dauphin, Manitoba, or Victoria, we’re there for one thing and that’s to win the tournament,” said Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson.

“We want them to enjoy every part of this. There’s only five teams in all of Canada left playing. Being able to get this far we have to make sure we’re focussed on the task at hand, and make sure that each and every game we bring our best effort.”

Vernon is the only returning team in the five-team tournament. The other teams include the Fred Page Cup champion Brockville Braves (eastern), AVANET Cup runners-up La Ronge Ice Wolves (western), and Dudley Hewitt Cup champion Oakville Blades (central). As the highest remaining seed out of 131 Canadian Junior Hockey League clubs, the No. 2 Vipers know they will be the team to beat. As second-year forward Sahir Gill points out, that’s nothing new.

“Everyone’s going to be gunning for us, just like it was all year. I guess you amplify the stage a bit more with it being the RBC, but we’ve just got to bring our game and we’ll be fine,” said Gill, a Terrace product who rejoined the club midway through the season after a stint with the USHL Chicago Steel.

Gill, who turned 18 last month, is one of 13 returning RBC veterans, and he believes they have been able to draw on that experience.

“We don’t get as nervous. If things start running around, we can settle it down a bit more. That’s where the experience comes in to help,” said Gill, whose line of Connor and Kellen Jones is 1-2-3 in Vernon playoff scoring.

“You can’t take things for granted, especially now that things are in a Game 7 situation. Either you’re in, or you’re out. There’s round-robin play, but you know you’re trying to get that No. 1 seed so every game is do or die pretty much.”

Added Williamson: “It’s (experience) pretty important with most of our guys knowing what to expect, maybe being a little more business like right away when we get there.”

A look at individual scoring statistics at last year’s nationals illustrates Vernon’s ability to get balanced scoring. That lineup featured nine point-a-game players, with each regular posting at least two points in six games. Mike Collins led tournament scoring with four goals and six assists.

“If you look at tournament scoring last year... anyone can lead the charge offensively, so it makes it difficult for other teams to line match,” said Gill. “Other teams haven’t seen us play before, so it gives us that advantage where we can roll four lines of the same type of hockey.”

For Viper rookie Dylan Walchuk, the road to the RBC has been a thrill ride, albeit an exhausting one. The 18-year-old McBride native, who rooms with linemate Jonathan Milhouse, helped the Nelson Leafs win a Kootenay International Junior Hockey League title last season, but the 82 games he has played with Vernon go beyond that.

“It’s definitely a lot longer, but I’m enjoying it,” said Walchuk, who skated in the CJHL Prospects Game in Winkler, Man. last December. “Everyone has come together as a team this playoffs, and we’re working really hard and doing everything we have to do to succeed.”

All 10 round-robin games, along with both semifinals on Saturday, May 8, will be available via webcast through FASTHockey at hockeycanada.fasthockey.com. All games are available on a pay-per-view basis for $6.99 each.

SNAKE BITES: Brockville Braves owner/coach/GM Todd Gill is a former NHL defenceman, playing with seven clubs over a 17-year career, mainly with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s...The KIJHL North Okanagan Knights have announced the appointment of Bill Burr as the club’s new president. He replaces Bill Greene, who served as president in the Knights’ expansion season.