Well the BCHL trade deadline has come and gone and the Vernon Vipers pulled off three deals before last night's 6pm deadline.
In the first trade the Vipers aquired 19 year old forward, Dane Muench from the SJHL's Battlefords North Stars. Muench actually had recentlty been re-assigned to the North Stars from the WHL Regina Pats just last week and had yet to play for Battlefords. I dont know much on Muench other then his stats. Dane's older brother Drew Muench played one season in Vernon (2006-07) with the Vipers. Muench had his best season back in 2008-09 with the North Stars collecting (24-10-34) in 50 games. The Vipers needed a goal scorer-sniper, Muench may not be a sniper but sounds like he can put some some decent numbers. Let's hope he can add some much needed scoring to the Vernon lineup. Im sure Mark Ferner was out looking at a few snipers, but in the end the final price was just too much to part with. It will be interesting to see what happens with Dane next season, as Muench also played with the WHL Swift Current Broncos and Regina Pats. Will he head back to the WHL next season? Or come back and play his final 20 yr old season with the Vipers? The Vipers now have a few kids who have also played in the WHL, Max Mowat & Zach McPhee. With the Vipers up North this weekend, it's a great time for Dane to get to meet and bond with his new teammates. Welcome to Vernon Dane and all the best in the remainder of the season.
In the Vipers second trade last night, they sent rookie forward Todd Skirving to the Prince George Spruce Kings for 17 year old defenceman, Ryan Renz who was aquired earlier in the day from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Skirving who was one of the Vipers top recruits, putting up some extremely impressive numbers while playing for the Thunder Bay Midget AAA Kings. In 76 games, he scored 46 goals and 63 assists for 109 points. He was also named MVP of the NLHL (Northern Lakes AAA Midget Hockey League) which he led in scoring. The 6’2” and 175lb Skirving was sought after by several USHL, OHL and many other Junior A teams across Canada. He was also being recruited by many NCAA schools before joining the Vipers. I just dont think Todd lived up to his expectations and never really was the player I think the Vipers were looking for. Skirving who was supose to be one of Vernon's goal scorers put up just four goals this season, and has been a healthy scratch on several game nights. For a bigger kid, up until recently Skirving never really used his size and weight. For a kid who wasnt putting up big numbers, stayed away from the corners and physical play early on. It hasnt been until the past few weeks that Skirving has finally started to use his size and body and play the body as of late as well as going to the net. It's too bad he didnt play like this at the start of the year. Myself and many Viper fans were expecting alot more from the rookie forward and wernt really suprised by the trade. Over the past few season's Viper fan's have seen a few top recruits come into camp and start the season and not really live up to expectations and end up being traded before the season ends. I for one think alot of these kid's look very good and are top end players before playing Junior, but once joining different Junior leagues, they are now competing against men and not just young boys anymore. It's a huge jump from midget to Junior and some kids just cant make the adjustment. I wish Todd all the best in Prince George and thank him for his time as a Viper. Todd wont have to wait very long to face his former team, as the Spruce Kings hoist the Vipers Saturday night.
Renz who will finish the season here in Vernon and head off to join former Vipers forward, Braden Pimm at Northeastern University next season has some good size. Renz is listed at 6"2, 210 lbs. Im glad Mark Ferner filled the empty roster spot after Bruin MacDonald didnt show up after being traded from Victoria on December, 1st. The past month Vernon has been playing with just five defenceman, and now with Phillip Patenaude out of the lineup for a second time with a concusion, you just dont know how long he will be out of the lineup so it's nice to have Renz as another healthy body on the blueline. Renz who played in just tweleve games with the Bulldogs last season, has put up ten points this season in Alberni Valley and should be a solid d-man for the Vipers. Welcome to Vernon Ryan and all the best in your final year of Junior hockey.
In the Vipers third and final trade before the trade deadline, Vernon sent 18 yr old defenceman, Austin Baecker to the Quesnel Millionaires for future considerations. Baecker who was aquired from the AJHL Grande Prairie Storm for Gus Correale never showed up in Vernon. Baecker who has been playing with the WHL Seattle Thunderbirds, I think has his goal set on staying in the WHL, atleast for now. I dont think the Vipers figured they would ever see Baecker in a Vipers jersey, so figured they could trade his playing rights now, while someone was interested.
After all trades were said and done I think the Vipers come out of the trade deadline looking pretty good. Most of if not all of this season the Vipers have needed a goal scorer-sniper, someone like a Hunter Bishop, Curtis Fraser or Jeff Cheeseman... someone who could come out in the 3rd period and get you two goals if needed. I think in order for Mark Ferner to aquire someone like this, he would have to give up alot (giving up on our younger players) as well as maybe sending alot of cash back the other way. With the Vipers just one point back of 1st place Penticton, I think you can say Mark Ferner and the Vipers are pretty pleased with how the rebuilding Vipers have done this season, and are also looking ahead at what this team and it's returning players have to offer for next season without making alot of roster moves. In the end, I think the remainder of this season and the future for next year look's very good, so to trade away some of your younger players for a sniper, might not be worth it. I think adding Dane Muench and Ryan Renz are both good pickup's and both players can hopefully add something to the Vipers lineup. I think at the end of the day, the Vipers didnt have to give up alot in return for both Muench and Renz. With the way Mark Ferner preaches defence, and the Vipers having two of the league's top goaltenders in Kirby Halcrow and Blake Voth, the Vipers can hopefully hold onto a 2-1 lead in a tight playoff game.
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