Congrats Garrett!

Id like to take this time to congratulate Vipers defenceman, Garrett Noonan on his scholarship with Boston University. Noonan improved as the season went along and seemed to get better and better game in and game out, I thought Garrett was the most improved player for the Vipers over the course of the season and was looking forward to having the Boston native return to Vernon for another season. Thanks for a great season Garrett and congrats on winning the RBC Cup! I wish you all the best at Boston University and the rest of your hockey career.

Noonan will now join former Vipers Ryan Santana & Sahir Gill in Boston this coming hockey season. This is a great addition for the Terriers but a big loss for the Vipers. Vernon was excpecting to have Noonan return next season for his second year with the Vipers but instead now lose a solid d-man. With Noonan heading off to Boston University, the Vipers have just three d-men returning from this years RBC Cup team. Adam Thompson, Steve Weinstein and Darrin Robak. Thompson and Weinstein will be back for their third season's with Robak coming back for his 2nd season. Thompson and Weinstein will be the two leaders on the Vernon blueline with Robak seeing very limited icetime this past season, the rookie d-man from Alberta will get his first year of full time duties on the Vipers backend. In the games I did see Robak play I was very impressed. With a little work from Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson Robak looks like a good future d-man. Dont forget Robak can also play up front, as he was forced into the forward position several times through out the season this year. Some ice time and getting into the lineup on a constant basis and Robak will be just fine.

It will be interesting to see if the Vipers have recruited any other defencemen, or will they try and pull off a trade or two to upgrade the blueline. With just three d-men back from this year the Vipers defence looks like it has a few holes to fill. With four twenty year olds returning next season (David Robinson, Adam Thompson, Bryce Kakoske, & Steve Weinstein) will Mark Ferner try and aquire another veteran 20 yr old d-man to add to the backend?

Here's a write up on Noonan signing with Boston University,

http://thebostonhockeyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/terriers-add-local-boy-noonan-for.html