Former Viper Hall Bound For The Peach City:

This is in the Kamloops Newspaper:

Hall bound for the Peach City

Published: September 02, 2010

He has spent the past four years playing the highest level of junior hockey in his hometown.

Now, Mark Hall will spread his wings a bit and enjoy life as a hockey-playing 20-year-old a few hours from the Tournament Capital.

The popular grinder spent four years with the Kamloops Blazers and, this summer, decided against attending training camp when general manager Craig Bonner discussed with him the club’s plans this year to focus on impact, front-line players with its maximum of three 20-year-old players.

Hall’s rights were held by the junior A Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Canmore Eagles, who are coached by former Blazer assistant coach Andrew Milne.

Canmore acquired Hall’s rights from the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers, for whom Hall played before being called up to the WHL by Kamloops in the 2006-2007 season.

Hall told KTW he spoke with Milne and simply expressed a desire to play in the BCHL and remain closer to home. Hall gave Milne a list of teams for whom he would like to play, with Vernon topping that roster.

In the end, the Penticton Vees struck a deal with Canmore, with the Peach City squad sending future considerations over the Rockies.

“Andrew contacted us and asked if we had an interest,” Penticton head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said. “A few teams had interest and we got aggressive.”

Harbinson said he wants his club more balanced this season — more grit to complement the scoring.

“We want to be more of a blue-collar team,” Harbinson said. “And Mark’s reputation as being a fierce competitor and with a good work ethic will rub off on a few guys.

“We do develop skills. I think we can help Mark and he can help us win a championship.”

Hall said he is looking forward to playing for a storied franchise like Penticton in his final year of junior hockey, adding he did not consider suiting up for the junior B Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

“I’ve been home for the last four years and I’m excited to be away from home for this year,” Hall said.

“I’m 20 and I am excited to experience something different.”