Second Chance For Vets:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Second chance for vets

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star

Published: September 02, 2010

Some would call it a step backwards. Kyle Murphy and Malcolm Lyles choose to look at it as a new opportunity.

Both had secured NCAA Division 1 scholarships two years ago – Murphy with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Lyles with the Boston College Eagles – but they watched as their playing time dwindled, causing their development to stagnate.

The duo played in a combined 31 games over those two seasons, and not wanting to endure another year of limited ice time, they both decided it was time for a change.

And they both landed with the Vernon Vipers, with a chance to play a full 60-game B.C. Hockey League season and reignite their development under the guidance of coaches Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson.

“When you have an opportunity to add two guys from quality schools... you’re pretty lucky,” said Ferner.

“It’s two positions where we’ve had to fill a lot of holes (Murphy is a centreman, Lyles plays defence) and we didn’t have to give anything up to get them.”

Murphy, a Fairhaven, N.J. product, played at Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school near Minnesota (Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews both attended there) before joining the Irish.

“It wasn’t the greatest situation for me hockey-wise (at Notre Dame). I love the school, but I wasn’t getting a whole lot of (ice) time,” said Murphy, 20, who missed the Vipers’ Wednesday practice with a minor injury sustained in Saturday’s exhibition game against the Trail Smoke Eaters.

On returning to junior A, he added: “I think a lot of people will look at it and think of it as a demotion, but that’s absolutely not what I look at it as. It’s a big opportunity... to help my own game and also get a great experience out of it.”

At 5-foot-8, Murphy has had many people question his size, but he just lets his tenacious playing style do the talking.

“I’ve never been one of the bigger guys out there, but I feel if you’re quick enough and strong enough it’s not that big a deal. You can work around it.”

Added Ferner: “He’s not a huge person, but he understands the game very well. Very competitive and a very responsible guy – he’s a hockey player.”

As for Lyles, he began playing hockey in Miami Gardens, Fla. when the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers were still fledgling NHL franchises. He credits his older brother Milton, now a speedy defenceman with the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s lacrosse team, for getting him involved in the sport.

“I was following my brother. He started first and it looked like fun so I followed right behind him,” said Lyles, who turns 21 on New Year’s Day.

Lyles, who attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts before joining the Eagles, had a near identical experience to Murphy.

“Ultimately, I wanted to play more hockey and I wasn’t going to get the opportunity to play at Boston College with all the high-end recruits they bring in,” he said. “I thought I’d do what’s best for me and come play junior A in Canada.

“I get a chance to get more experience, a lot more games, and the way Ferner coaches out here, he slows the game down so I have the chance to find some things I didn’t have in high school and didn’t have going into college, so I’ll be able to complete my game by being out here.”

Ferner described the 5-foot-11 Lyles as a naturally gifted athlete who needs a little guidance to polish his understanding of the game.

“All the tools are there,” added Ferner.

Murphy and Lyles aren’t the first players to return to junior A after struggling in NCAA. Former Viper d-man Dan Nycholat came back from Northeastern University Huskies to help the Vipers claim their sixth national junior A championship last season. He picked up another scholarship with Dartmouth Big Green in the process.

The Vipers host the Salmon Arm SilverBacks in BCHL exhibition play tonight at Wesbild Centre. They visit the Gorillas Saturday at the Sunwave Centre.

The two teams open the regular season in another home-and-home, which goes Friday, Sept. 10 at Wesbild and the following night at Sunwave.