Vipers Aquire Second Former WHL Defenceman:

Just two days after Parents weekend Mark Ferner pulled off his third trade of the BCHL season, aquiring a second former WHL d-man in Austin Baecker. Earlier in the season Mark Ferner picked up Max Mowat who was cut by the WHL Kamloops Blazers.

In order to aquire Austin Baecker the Vipers had to trade 17 year old rookie forward, Gus Correale. Correale who is from Prince George, BC went pointless in nine games with Vernon this year. Correale who played with the KIJHL Nelson Leafs last season is the second Leaf the Vipers have traded this year. Defenceman, Bennett Hambrook was traded earlier this year to the Prince George Spruce Kings for future considerations. The Vipers who started the season with four ex Leaf players, still have former Leafs, Dylan Walchuk and Philip Patenaude on their roster.

From day one of the Vipers Blue & White games Correale stood out and impressed me alot, with his speed, shifty moves and hard work. Not the biggest kid on the ice at the time, but seemed to play with a big heart. Once the regular season started Correale along with 17 year old rookie forward, Colton Sparrow both seemed to be the odd man out of the Vipers lineup (healthy scratches). Over the past month or so I have really started to notice the strong play from Vernon product, Colton Sparrow who seems to get better the more he plays. Maybe Sparrow beat Correale out of a job? I thought Correale was a great young player that would mature, bulk up, and improve as the season went on. Here's a kid that would have been a good future prospect. I guess Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson figure they need to upgrade on defence and Austin Baecker is the kid they were looking for. I guess you need to give up someone good in order to pick up someone good. If you check out the Storm roster, Grande Prairie has a 19 year old forward, (Dan Correale) who is also from Prince George, BC You have to wonder if this is Gus's older brother? I wish Gus all the best in Grande Prairie and his future in hockey.

After doing some research Austin Correale played in 26 games with the Merritt Centennials last season before jumping to the WHL this year and has played in seven games with the Seattle Thunderbirds. On October 14th Merritt traded the playing rights of Austin Baecker to the AJHL Grande Prairie Storm. (I didnt see Baecker on the Storm roster) so it looks like Baecker never reported to Grande Prairie. You have to wonder if Baecker who is from Kelowna, BC will report to the Vipers? As of now he is listed on the Vipers roster wich is posted on the BCHL website. Id like to welcome Austin to Vernon and wish him all the best with the Vipers.

I dont really know anything about Austin Baecker. Baecker, was selected by the Hurricanes in the 11th round of the 2007 Bantam Draft but was traded by the Hurricanes to Seattle on February 2nd 2010. We know he is from Kelowna, BC so the Vipers will be adding another (so called) local to the roster. Baecker is listed at 6'6 and 220 lbs wich I really like, this means Baecker will be one of the biggest kids on the Vipers roster. With the addition of Baecker this puts Vernon with eight defenceman, meaning one d-man will likely be on his way out. I guess will have to wait and see if Mark Ferner makes any more moves.

Here is a fight between Seattles Austin Baecker & Tri-Cities Tanner Olstad back on September 26th

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v0GaVuhRWI