Royal Bank Cup: Game Preview: Vernon @ Camrose:

Tonight is the opening night of the 2011 Royal Bank Cup. The Fred Page Cup & Doyle Cup Champion Vernon Vipers are making their ninth appearance in the RBC Cup trying to become the first team in history to win three straight National Championships. The Vipers are also going for a record seventh RBC Cup. The Vipers are coming off a seven game series victory over the AJHL Spruce Grove Saints. The Host AJHL Camrose Kodiaks are making their fifth appearance in the Royal Bank Cup and trying to win just their second National Championship. The Kodiaks were knocked out in the AJHL Finals in five games by the Spruce Grove Saints. You can listen to tonight's game live on 107.5 Kiss FM with Todd Miller and Don Klepp starting with the pre game show at 5:45 PM (BC Time)

This is just the second meeting between these two teams after Camrose defeated Vernon in six games winning the Doyle Cup back in 2003

Previous Game:

Vernon:  Sunday, April 24th Vernon defeated Spruce Grove 4-2
Camrose:  Friday, April 8th Spruce Grove defeated Camrose 5-1

Next Game:

Vernon:  Monday, May 2nd Vernon @ Portage
Camrose:  Monday, May 1st Camrose @ Wellington

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers: (Regular Season)

Games Played: 60
Wins: 36
Losses: 11
Ties: 4
Overtime Losses: 9
Home Record: 18-5-2-5
Road Record: 18-6-2-4
Streak: Finished the regular season on a three game winning streak
Last Ten Games: 8-1-0-1
Goals For: 197
Goals Against:141
Standings: 1st Place (Interior Conference)

Vernon Vipers website:

http://www.vipers.bc.ca/

Vernon Vipers Regular Season Stats:

-Vernon was ranked #9 in all of Canada in the CJHL regular season

-The Vipers powerplay was ranked 12th during the regular season

-Vernon’s penalty kill was ranked 5th during the regular season

-Blake Voth was the leagues 3rd best goaltender during the regular season posting a 25-11-3 record, with 4 shutouts and a 2.12 GAA

-Vernon had the leagues second best home record behind Powell River going 18-5-2-5 at the Wesbild Centre

-The Vipers were the BCHL’s second best road team behind the Powell River Kings, going 18-6-2-4 away from home

-The Vipers only gave up 141 goals against during the regular season, wich was also second best behind Powell River who only gave up 115 goals

-Vernon is 22-3-3-8 when scoring the games first goal

-The Vipers are 14-8-1-1 when giving up the first goal of the game

The Vernon Lakers changed their name to the Vernon Vipers to start the 1995-96 season. Here’s a look at the Vipers all-time regular season record

Games Played: 960
Wins: 619
Losses: 245
Ties: 15
Overtime Losses: 84

For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Returning Players:

Bryce Kakoske (90)
David Robinson (90)
Blake Voth (91)
Steve Weinstein (90)
Adam Thompson (90)
Dylan Walchuk (92)
Patrick McGillis (91)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Connor Jones (90)
Mike Collins (90)
Braden Pimm (89)
Cory Kane (90)
Jonathan Milhouse (89)
Kellen Jones (90)
Rob Short (89)
Cole Ikkala (90)
Dan Nycholat (89)
Kevin Kraus (89)
Curtis Gedig (91)
Garrett Noonan (91)
Sahir Gill (92)
Darrin Robak (91)
Graeme Gordon (89)

Here's a look at the Vernon Vipers regular season roster-stats:

Vernon:

Dylan Walchuk (24-32-56)
David Robinson (32-18-50)
Bryce Kakoske (17-33-50)
Kyle Murphy (18-25-43)
John Knisley (10-25-35)
Malcolm Lyles (8-22-30)
Michael Zalewski (12-17-29)
Adam Thompson (7-22-29)
Marcus Basara (12-16-28)
Darren Nowick (9-18-27)
Patrick McGillis (13-12-25)
Aaron Hadley (9-15-24)
Steven Weinstein (5-19-24)
Brett Corkey (1-23-24)
Trevor Fitzgerald (7-11-18)
Max Mowat (2-13-15)
Ryan Renz (4-10-14)
Colton Sparrow (1-6-7)
Dane Muench (1-5-6)
Zach McPhee (3-1-4)
Philip Patenaude (0-1-1)

Kirby Halcrow With Quesnel (5-18-1 Record, 3.56 GAA)
With Vernon (10-4-1 Record, 1 Shutout, 2.19 GAA)
Blake Voth (25-11-3 Record, 4 Shutouts, 2.12 GAA)

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers: (Playoffs-Doyle Cup)

Games Played: 23
Wins: 16
Losses: 7
Home Record: 6-5
Road Record: 10-2
Streak: Finished playoffs on a one game winning streak
Last Ten Games: 8-2
Goals For: 70
Goals Against: 59

1st Round: Bye
Interior Conference Semi-Finals: Defeated Westside in six games
Interior Conference Finals: Defeated Salmon Arm in six games
Fred Page Cup-BCHL Finals: Defeated Powell River in four games
Doyle Cup: Defeated Spruce Grove in seven games

Vernon Vipers Playoff Stats:

-Vernon has the 12th best powerplay in the BCHL playoffs

-The Vipers have the 6th best penalty kill during the BCHL post season

-Kirby Halcrow (12-6 Record) is ranked 4th amongst BCHL playoff goaltenders

-Dylan Walchuk (10-5-15) & Patrick McGillis (6-9-15) are both in the BCHL playoffs top twenty scoring leaders

-Vernon is 2-6 in these playoffs when giving up the games first goal

-The Vipers are 13-1 in these playoffs when scoring first

Here's a look at the Vernon Vipers playoff-Doyle Cup roster-stats:

Vernon Vipers:

Dylan Walchuk (14-7-21)
Patrick McGillis (6-10-16)
David Robinson (8-7-15)
Marcus Basara (5-9-14)
Bryce Kakoske (5-7-12)
Michael Zalewski (5-6-11)
Darren Nowick (3-7-10)
Malcolm Lyles (5-5-10)
Adam Thompson (3-6-9)
Trevor Fitzgerald (4-4-8)
John Knisley (3-3-6)
Aaron Hadley (2-4-6)
Steven Weinstein (0-6-6)
Brett Corkey (0-6-6)
Colton Sparrow (2-3-5)
Kyle Murphy (2-3-5)
Dane Muench (3-2-5)
Ryan Renz (0-3-3)
Max Mowat (0-2-2)
Zach McPhee (0-1-1)
Philip Patenaude (0-0-0)

Kirby Halcrow (15-6 Record, 1 Shutout)
Blake Voth (1-1, 3.74 GAA Record)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

MALCOLM LYLES

offensive-minded defenceman … doesn’t give up anything defensively … great instincts with the puck … makes quick decisions … good gap control … strong skater … heavy point shot … good passer

DAVID ROBINSON

plays a physical style … finishes his checks … wins loose puck battles along boards and in front … hard, accurate shot … powerful skating stride … protects the puck well … gets into scoring positions

DYLAN WALCHUK

highly skilled … good offensive instincts … smooth puck handler … true competitor … versatile … extremely quick feet … excellent work ethic … dangerous on the PP … fights through checks

NCAA COMMITMENTS

John Knisley – Cornell University (2011-12)
Malcolm Lyles – University of Massachusetts Lowell (2011-12)
Ryan Renz – Northeastern University (2011-12)
Adam Thompson – Yale University (2011-12)
Dylan Walchuk – Northern Michigan University (2011-12)
Steven Weinstein – Bentley University (2011-12)
Michael Zalewski – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2012-13)

Let's take a look at the Vernon Vipers: (Royal Bank Cup)

Games Played: 44
Wins: 30
Losses: 14
Goals For: 207
Goals Against: 157

Vernon Vipers-Lakers (Royal Bank Cup Records)

Most National Championships: Vernon Vipers-Lakers-6

Most Royal Bank Cup Appearances: Vernon Vipers-Lakers-9

Most wins at the Royal Bank Cup: Vernon Vipers-Lakers-30

Most goals scored at the Royal Bank Cup: Vernon Vipers-Lakers-207

Most Goals combined between two teams in one game: Vernon Lakers defeated Nipawin Hawks 11-5 (1990) * Record tied one other team

Last National Championship Appearance: 2010 – national champions

Total National Championship Appearances: 8 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2009, 2010)

Total National Championships: 6 (1990, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2009, 2010)

Let's take a look at the AJHL Camrose Kodiaks: (Regular Season)

Games Played: 60
Wins: 32
Losses: 22
Ties: 0
Overtime Losses: 6
Home Record: 19-8-03
Road Record: 13-14-0-3
Streak: Finished the regular season on a three game winning streak
Last Ten Games: 5-5-0-0
Goals For: 199
Goals Against: 172
Standings: 3rd Place (South Division)

Camrose Kodiaks website:

http://www.camrosekodiaks.com/

Camrose Kodiaks Regular Season Stats:

-The Kodiaks powerplay was ranked 2nd during the regular season

-Camrose's penalty kill was ranked 3rd during the regular season

-Tyler Jewitt (21-38-59) was the lone Kodiak in the AJHL top twenty regular season scoring leaders

-Dalyn Flette was the leagues 10th best goaltender during the regular season posting a 20-15-2 record, with three shutouts and a 2.63 GAA

-Camrose is 24-7-0-3 when scoring the games first goal

-The Kodiaks are 7-16-0-3 when giving up the first goal of the game

Returning Players:

Luke Challier (90)
Clayton Jardine (91)
Nolan Kaiser (92)
Kenny Bradley (90)
Ben Gallacher (92)
Sam Jardine (93)
Nolan Marshall (92)
Brooks Myers (90)
Rylan Wiest (91)
Craig Bokenfohr (92)
Dalyn Flette (90)

Departing & traded players from last years team:

Erik Slemp (90)
Brad McConnell (89)
Tom Kroshus (92)
Cole Penner (91)
Matt Wray (89)
Cory Kloss (91)
Jeremy Burns (91)
Spencer Jewell (91)
Mike Forsyth (92)
Joel Paiement (91)
Austin Sevalrud (91)
Alex Colborne (91)
Kris Moore (90)

Here's a look at the Camrose Kodiaks regular season roster-stats:

Camrose Kodiaks:

Tyler Jewitt (21-38-59)
Luke Challier (23-30-53)
John Lidgett (16-27-43)
Cole Wilson (15-28-43)
Clayton Jardine (18-24-42)
Jordan Hale (21-20-41)
Tyler Skauge (17-11-28)
Nolan Kaiser (7-21-28)
Kenny Bradley (14-13-27)
Landon Kadatz (13-14-27)
Ben Gallacher (5-22-27)
Sam Jardine (6-16-22)
Tanner Dion (8-13-21)
Nolan Marshall (8-13-21)
Jonathan Lashyn (4-17-21)
Brooks Myers (6-11-17)
Mario Boilard (8-8-16)
Rylan Wiest (5-7-12)
Craig Bokenfohr (1-8-9)
Connor Milligan (1-5-6)
Luc Vandale (1-5-6)
Jesse Altheim (0-6-6)
Mackenzie Royer (2-2-4)
Tanner Marshall (0-4-4)

Dalyn Flette (20-15-2 Record, 3 Shutouts, 2.63 GAA)
Brayden Hopfe (12-10-6 Record, 1 Shutout, 3.32 GAA)

Let's take a look at the Camrose Kodiaks: (Playoffs)

Games Played: 23
Wins: 12
Losses: 11
Home Record: 5-5
Road Record: 7-6
Streak: Finished playoffs on a one game losing streak
Last Ten Games: 4-6
Goals For: 63
Goals Against: 56

1st Round: Camrose defeated Drumheller in four games
South Division Semi-Finals: Camrose defeated Brooks in seven games
South Division Final: Camrose defeated Okotoks in seven games
AJHL Finals-Enerflex Cup: Spruce Grove defeated Camrose in five games

Camrose Kodiaks Playoff Stats:

-Camrose has the 6th best powerplay in the AJHL playoffs

-The Kodiaks have the 2nd best penalty kill during the AJHL post season

-Kirby Halcrow (12-6 Record) is ranked 4th amongst BCHL playoff goaltenders

-Tyler Jewitt (11-7-18), John Lidgett (10-4-14), Clayton Jardine (3-11-14), Cole Wilson (4-8-12), Luke Challier (5-6-11) & Sam Jardine (4-7-11) were all in the AJHL's top twenty in playoff scoring

-Camrose is 5-7 in these playoffs when giving up the games first goal

-The Kodiaks are 7-4 in these playoffs when scoring first

Here's a look at the Camrose Kodiaks playoff roster-stats:

Camrose Kodiaks:

Tyler Jewitt (11-7-18)
John Lidgett (10-4-14)
Clayton Jardine (3-11-14)
Cole Wilson (4-8-12)
Luke Challier (5-6-11)
Sam Jardine (4-7-11)
Jonathan Lashyn (3-6-9)
Ben Gallacher (3-5-8)
Brooks Myers (4-3-7)
Nolan Kaiser (1-6-7)
Tyler Skauge (2-4-6)
Nolan Marshall (1-4-5)
Tanner Dion (3-1-4)
Kenny Bradley (2-2-4)
Jordan Hale (2-2-4)
Mario Boilard (1-3-4)
Craig Bokenfohr (1-2-3)
Mackenzie Royer (0-3-3)
Luc Vandale (0-3-3)
Rylan Wiest (1-1-2)
Landon Kadatz (1-0-1)
Tanner Marshall (1-0-1)
Jesse Altheim (0-0-0)
Connor Milligan (0-0-0)

Dalyn Flette (12-11 Record, 1 Shutout, 2.24 GAA)
Brayden Hopfe (0-0 Record)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

SAM JARDINE

puck-moving defenceman … relied upon in all situations … good frame … good skater … can rush the puck up the ice … excellent point shot … plays solid in all three zones … makes a good first pass

TYLER JEWITT

very good skater … reads the play well … displays good anticipation … good stick-handler … good puck control … protects the puck well … gets into scoring position … nice touch around the net

JOHN LIDGETT

extremely talented … dangerous offensive player … sniper … good skill with the puck … explodes into open lanes … can beat defenders 1-on-1 … good speed … dangerous from the blue line in

NCAA COMMITMENTS

Ben Gallacher – Ohio State University (2011-12)
Clayton Jardine – Merrimack College (2011-12)
Sam Jardine – Ohio State University (2012-13)
Nolan Kaiser – University of Alaska Fairbanks (2011-12)
Jonathan Lashyn – Merrimack College (2012-13)
John Lidgett – Colgate University (2011-12)

Let's take a look at the Camrose Kodiaks: (Royal Bank Cup)

Games Played: 29
Wins: 22
Losses: 7
Goals For: 106
Goals Against: 52

Last National Championship Appearance: 2001 – national champions

Total National Championship Appearances: 4 (2001, 2003, 2005, 2008)

Total National Championships: 1 (2001)

Former Viper Magowan Signs With Adler Mannheim:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Kenny Magowan has signed a two-year contract with Adler Mannheim (German Elite League). Magowan spent

2010-11 with Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg, pciking up 36 points (21g, 15a) in 41 games. Magowan played two seasons in Vernon (1998-2000)

Home-Town Kodiaks Ready To Take On Vernon:

This is in the Edmonton Journal Newspaper:

Camrose hosts hockey’s RBC Cup

Home-town Kodiaks ready to take on Vernon

By Mario Annicchiarico, edmontonjournal.com April 29, 2011

EDMONTON - After an 18-day layoff, Boris Rybalka believes his Camrose Kodiaks are prepared to be more than just cordial hosts as the Alberta Junior Hockey League club begins RBC Cup play Saturday night at home at the Edgeworth Centre.

With the national Junior A hockey championship on the line, the Kodiaks begin play in the five-team tournament in Camrose at 7 p.m. against the two-time defending Canadian champion Vernon Vipers, who are coming off a thrilling seven-game Doyle Cup series win over the Spruce Grove Saints to earn the Pacific region nod.

The Saints had eliminated Rybalka and the Kodiaks in five games in the AJHL championship series earlier this month.

“We didn’t want to lose in the championship final, but 18 days has done wonders for healing injuries and recouping and getting our energy levels back up after playing 23 playoff games, so it turned out to be a positive,” said Rybalka, who immediately handed his team four days off before getting back into the swing of things.

The time off allows the likes of Jordan Hale, Tyler Skague, Mario Boilard and Jesse Altheim – who were all unavailable through the AJHL final – to get back on the roster.

“They’ll all be ready to play, so that’s awesome,” said Rybalka, who has also used his time wisely in scouting the competition which includes the Portage Terriers as West region reps, the Wellington Dukes from Central and Pembroke Lumber Kings from the East.

“It’s strange. It’s our sixth time in an RBC and it’s the first time for myself and the coaching staff to watch other teams,” said Rybalka, whose Kodiaks won the RBC Cup championship in 2001 and claimed Doyle Cup (the Alberta vs. B.C. Championship series) victories in 2001, ’03, ’05, ’07 and ’08. “We watched Spruce Grove and Vernon, but also saw La Ronge and Portage and Pembroke and Wellington.”

Portage defeated La Ronge in a Game 7 scenario for the Anavet Cup in Manitoba.

“We’ve got a pretty good read on all the teams that are here,” insisted Rybalka. “We’ve made our notes, pre-scouted and are prepping the boys on what their tendencies may be, but at the same time we want to focus on what we want to do in executing against these teams.”

The Kodiaks will open against a solid Vipers team that just knocked off Spruce Grove, which was rated No. 1 nationally for most of the season.

“We like it. When a schedule is set like that we want to play Pacific because we know the region is good,” said Rybalka. “Alberta and B.C. are strong hockey regions and it’s a perfect way to start the Royal Bank Cup.

“When they threw out that proposed schedule to us, we accepted it right off the bat. We thought it was great. To play the defending RBC champs – what better way to kick off the tournament. They’re solid defensively, solid through the neutral zone.

“They don’t make many mistakes. The key to their team is they all have good speed, but they all buy-in (to the system). You just have to turn around and be tenacious against them and go after them. We’ve watched some of the videos and some of their games. They’re a very well coached team that plays a solid, smart game.”

And Rybalka, more than anyone, should know just what a role the host team can play in this event. It was in 2005 that his Kodiaks lost a tough last-minute 3-2 decision to the RBC Cup host Weyburn Red Wings in that championship final in Saskatchewan, a gut-wrenching defeat.

“Our goal is to bring a national championship back to Camrose and back to Alberta and we know exactly what it will take,” said Rybalka. “We have prepared this team so that it knows that every game this week will be like a Game 7.”

Former Vernon Laker Ramsay & The Oilers Season Ends In Five Games:

Former Vernon Lakers captain, Bruce Ramsay & the CHL Tulsa Oilers season ended last weekend with a 5-4 loss to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. The Mudbugs won the series in five games. Ramsay who is in his second season with the Oilers, played just one season in Vernon helping the 1989-90 Vernon Lakers win their first Centennial Cup in a thrilling 6-5 overtime win over the highly favorite New Westminster Royals.

This is posted on the Oilers website:

Game 5 Tulsa 4 - Bossier-Shreveport 5

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT WINS SERIES 3-2

Bossier City, LA - The Tulsa Oilers saw their season come to an end in a frantic 5-4 loss to the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Saturday night in Bossier City. The victory gives Bossier-Shreveport a 3-2 win in the best of five Berry Conference semifinal series. Bossier-Shreveport moves on to meet the Allen Americans in the best-of-seven conference final.

The Oilers trailed 4-1 heading into the third period but goals by Evan Kotsopoulos and Michel Beausoleil just 57 seconds apart cut the lead to 4-3 with 14:03 to play.

Shawn Limpright reclaimed a two goal lead for Bossier-Shreveport midway in the third but Chad Costello scored a power play goal with 4:31 left setting up the desparate finish for the Oilers.

Nick Layton had opened the scoring for Bossie-Shreveport in the first period but Bates Battaglia tied it for the Oilers taking advanatage of a giveaway in the Bossier-Shreveport zone. Before the first period ended Andy Contois scored a breakaway goal to make it 2-1 for the Mudbugs.

They stretched the lead on second period goals by Brett Smith and David Rutherford, but the Oilers battled back in the third period, just to see thier rally come up one goal short.

Camrose Alberta Here I Come!

For the third straight year I will be making the long trip to the Royal Bank Cup. Two years ago I followed the Vernon Vipers to Victoria BC for the 2009 Royal Bank Cup catching all the games, before making the trip to last years RBC Cup in Dauphin, Manitoba. This will be my fourth Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Championship I will have now attended. After a long 12 hour drive, I finally arrived here in Camrose about 40 minutes ago. I will be posting news, info and game previews as well as my game recaps through out the RBC Cup. Stay tuned for more.

Snakes Strive For RBC Record Book:

This is in the Morning Star Newspaper:

Snakes strive for RBC record book

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star

Published: April 29, 2011

They have already played more than a full NHL season worth of hockey, but the best is yet to come for the Vernon Vipers.

Saturday’s Royal Bank Cup opener against tournament host Camrose Kodiaks will be Vernon’s 84th tilt of the 2010-11 campaign as they strive to become the first-ever team to record three straight national junior A championships.

By this point, there is little more coaches Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson can do with regards to teaching the Vipers. The systems are in place, the character of the team is well-established and the players know what’s at stake.

“Jason and I, we have a little saying that…‘the hay is in the barn.’ When the game starts, it’s up to the players. We don’t score the goals, we don’t block the shots,” said Ferner, now in his fourth year behind the Viper bench.

With 14 new faces in the lineup to start the season, most pundits wouldn’t have picked the Vipers to repeat as B.C. Hockey League champions, let alone return to the national stage. Ferner credits his veterans for instilling the winning mind-set in the locker room.

“The culture that we have is spectacular. They just want to be around the rink,” said Ferner.

“We will represent the Vernon Vipers, the B.C. Hockey League, the city.”

The Kodiaks haven’t seen action since they bowed to the Spruce Grove Saints in the Alberta championship series on April 9. If there is one thing the layoff has given the Kodiaks, it is healthy bodies.

Camrose head coach Boris Rybalka, born in Vernon, expects Tyler Skauge, Jordan Hale, Mario Boilard and Jesse Altheim will return from injury reserve to face the Vipers Saturday.

“Those are four guys who didn’t play in the Spruce series. That is four key guys all muckers and grinders; three of the four are 20 year olds,” Rybalka told the Wetaskiwin Times.

“You can see where at times one guy coming back makes a difference… we have four.”

Rybalka, 44, making his sixth appearance in the RBC tourney, added: “Our goal is that on that Mother’s Day (May 8) we raise that RBC Cup.”

Just three Vipers have been through both RBC Cup runs in Victoria and Dauphin, Man. – defencemen Stevie Weinstein and Adam Thompson, and winger Bryce Kakoske.

The trio have each competed in at least half a dozen elimination games, including Game 7s in Fred Page and Doyle Cup playoff series, as well as semifinals and gold-medal games at the RBC.

“Every game is a Game 7, especially when you get into the playoff round (at the RBC). We’re not strangers to that,” said Weinstein, a Los Angeles product who is committed to the NCAA Division 1 Bentley Falcons.

Thompson, who led all Vernon blueliners with two goals and an assist in the Doyle series, says the RBC never gets old.

“This one will be a great time too. I’m really excited to do it this time with a whole bunch of new guys,” said the Calgary blueliner, a Yale Bulldogs prospect.

“Every year it’s been a new captaincy to raise the cup. My first year it was great to see Crow (Chris Crowell) lift it, then Krauser (Kevin Kraus) felt even greater, and if Dave (Robinson) gets a chance it’ll be a great feeling for me and the guys.”

As is the nature of playoff hockey, the Vipers have endured their share of injury woes. Dane Muench, Max Mowat, Phil Patenaude, Colton Sparrow, Kyle Murphy and Pat McGillis have all missed time to injury at some point during the post-season. Others have simply played through various bumps and bruises.

“It’s pretty easy to battle through some wounds when you’re playing for a national championship. We just dig deep, realize what’s on the line and put it all out there,” grinned Thompson.

SNAKE BITES: Viper forward Dylan Walchuk was named BCHL Player of the Week. The McBride product had points in each of the Vipers’ three road wins over the host Spruce Grove Saints, helping the Snakes to their third consecutive Doyle Cup. He ended the best-of-seven series with four goals and two assists, and now has a team-leading 21 points in the 23 playoff games...With the ice out at Wesbild Centre, the Vipers have been practising at Priest Valley Arena this week... In four seasons behind the bench, Ferner and Williamson have guided the Vipers to an impressive 165-51-7-17 regular-season record, and are 53-25 in playoff action (not including the RBC).

1989 Centennial Cup Recap:

After winning a record third straight Doyle Cup the Vernon Vipers will be making their record 9th trip to the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup and a chance at becoming the first Junior hockey team in history to win three straight National Championships. 

Over the next few days and leading up to the 2011 Royal Bank Cup I thought I would take a look back and go through each of the years and give a recap on all of Vernon's previous eight trip's to the National Championship starting with the Vernon Lakers first appearence at the 1989 Centennial Cup wich was hosted by the Summerside Western Capitals in the city of Summerside, Prince Edward Island. 

The Vernon Lakers finished first place in the Interior Division with a record of 40-19-1 good for 81 pts The Lakers finished #2 overall 10 pts behind the #1 ranked New Westminster Royals who collected 91 pts. Here’s a rundown on how the Lakers did through out the BCJHL’s Playoffs to advance to the teams first ever Centennial Cup.

Interior Division Semifinals: Vernon defeated Kelowna 4-1
Interior Division Final: Vernon swept Merritt 4-0
BCJHL League Finals: Vernon defeated New Westminster 4-1
Mowat Cup: Vernon defeated Williams Lake (PCJHL) 2-0
Doyle Cup: Vernon defeated Red Deer (AJHL) 4-2
Abbot Cup: Vernon defeated Humboldt (SJHL) 4-2

The Centennial Cup 1989 is the Tier II Junior "A" 1989 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.

The Centennial Cup was competed for by the winners of the Abbott Cup, Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Callaghan Cup, and a host city.

The tournament was hosted by the Summerside Western Capitals in the city of Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

The Playoffs: Round Robin

Rank Team League Ticket W-L GF GA

1 # Thunder Bay Flyers USHL Dudley Hewitt Cup 2-1 18 9
2 x Moncton Hawks MVJHL Callaghan Cup 2-1 13 11
3 x Summerside Western Capitals IJHL Host 2-1 13 14
4 Vernon Lakers BCJHL Abbott Cup 0-3 8 18

Note: # - denotes team advanced to the final.
Note: x - denotes teams who have advanced to the semi-final.

Results

Thunder Bay Flyers defeated Vernon Lakers 8-2
Summerside Western Capitals defeated Thunder Bay Flyers 5-4
Moncton Hawks defeated Vernon Lakers 5-2
Moncton Hawks defeated Summerside Western Capitals 6-3
Thunder Bay Flyers defeated Moncton Hawks 6-2
Summerside Western Capitals defeated Vernon Lakers 5-4 double overtime

Semifinals:

Summerside Western Capitals 3
Moncton Hawks 2

Cetennial Cup Final:

Thunder Bay Flyers 4
Summerside Western Capitals 1

Please note: Semi- Final was won in 14:51 of 3rd overtime period

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Todd Hendersen (Thunder Bay Flyers)

Top Scorer: Greg Johnson (Thunder Bay Flyers)

Most Sportsmanlike Player: Cam Sylven (Vernon Lakers)

All-Star Team

Forward

Greg Johnson (Thunder Bay Flyers)
Ken Murchison (Summerside Western Capitals)
Jason Bortolussi(Thunder Bay Flyers)

Defence

Rodney Gallant (Summerside Western Capitals)
Stephane Duval (Moncton Hawks)

Goal

Darin Baker (Moncton Hawks)

Role of League Champions:

AJHL: Red Deer Rustlers
BCJHL: Vernon Lakers
CJHL: Pembroke Lumber Kings
IJHL:
MJHL: Winnipeg South Blues
MVJHL: Moncton Hawks
NOJHL: Sudbury Cubs
PCJHL: Williams Lake Mustangs
QPJHL: Longueuil College Francais
SJHL: Humboldt Broncos

Vernon Lakers Roster:

Tony Szabo
Duane Dennis
Rob Atkinson
Cory Carlson
Dave Oliver
Garth Geddes
Todd Demchuk
Bill Lindsay
Shawn Hendry
Cam Sylven
Jason Marshall
Scott Salmond
Adrian Markin
Lance West
Mike Dennis
Sandy Renwick
Dean Zayonce
Sean Stewart
Craig Daley
David Zakal
Randy Muise
Kevin Zakal
Kevin Cox
Greg Olson
Rob Shypitka
Paul Faganello
Brian Langlot
Randy McGrew
Curtis Head
Mark Shmigelsky
Jim Inkster
Bart Kuntz
Chris Fairlie
Kevin Baldridge

GM-Owner Mel Lis
Head Coach Ernie Gare
Assistant Coach George Farhger
Assistant Coach Keith Chase

For stats & rosters on Vernon Junior Hockey History, Check out Paul's Vernon Franchise website

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Don Cherry Predicts Dukes To Take RBC Cup:

Don Cherry predicted last night during coaches corner, that the Wellington Dukes will win the 2011 Royal Bank Cup.

Vipers Score Praise From Council:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers score praise from council

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

Published: April 29, 2011

The Vernon Vipers have the enthusiastic support of the community.

Bylaws and development issues were cast aside Tuesday as city council members took time to praise the Vipers, who clinched a record third straight Doyle Cup Sunday, and now head off to the RBC Cup national junior A tournament in Camrose, Alta.

“Congratulations to the Vipers,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert.

The first game in the RBC Cup takes place Saturday, and the franchise will be pushing to win a seventh national victory and a third consecutive championship.

“They have put Vernon on the national stage,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy of the exposure the Vipers generate.

Gilroy is getting ready to pack his bags so he can personally cheer on his favourite team in Camrose.

“They are a great group of guys and real ambassadors for Vernon,” he said.

1990 Centennial Cup Recap:

After winning a record third straight Doyle Cup the Vernon Vipers will be making their record 9th trip to the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup and a chance at becoming the first Junior hockey team in history to win three straight National Championships.

Over the next few days and leading up to the 2011 Royal Bank Cup I thought I would take a look back and go through each of the years and give a recap on all of Vernon's eight trip's to the National Championship starting with the Vernon Lakers second straight appearence at the 1990 Centennial Cup wich was hosted by the Vernon Lakers and the city of Vernon, British Columbia.

The Vernon Lakers were this years host for the 1990 Centennial Cup. Vernon finished first place in the Interior Division with a record of 33-20-5 good for 71 pts The Lakers finished #3 overall in the BCJHL standings. Here’s a rundown on how the Lakers did through out the BCJHL’s Playoffs to advance to the teams second straight Centennial Cup.

Preliminary Roundrobin Series:

Vernon finished off with a record of 5-2.

BCJHL League Finals: New Westminster defeated Vernon 4-2

Vernon would advance to its second straight Centennial Cup as the host team.

The Centennial Cup 1990 is the Tier II Junior "A" 1990 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.

The Centennial Cup was competed for by the winners of the Doyle Cup, Anavet Cup, Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Callaghan Cup, and a host city.

The tournament was hosted by the Vernon Lakers and Vernon, British Columbia.

The Playoffs: Round Robin

Rank Team League Ticket W-L GF GA

1 x-New Westminster Royals BCJHL Doyle Cup 4-0 28 8
2 x-Vernon Lakers BCJHL Host 3-1 19 9
3 x-Nipawin Hawks MJHL Anavet Cup 2-2 12 10
4 x-Longueuil College Francais QJAAAHL Dudley Hewitt Cup 1-3 12 24
5 Amherst Ramblers MJAHL Callaghan Cup 0-4 7 27

Note: x- denotes teams who have advanced to the semi-final.

Results

Vernon Lakers defeated Longueuil Sieurs 6-1
Nipawin Hawks defeated Amherst Ramblers 4-3 in overtime
New Westminster Royals defeated Longueuil Sieurs 11-3
New Westminster Royals defeated Amherst Ramblers 9-0
Vernon Lakers defeated Nipawin Hawks 2-1 in overtime
Nipawin Hawks defeated Longueuil Sieurs 5-2
New Westminster Royals defeated Vernon Lakers 5-3
Vernon Lakers defeated Amherst Ramblers 8-2
Longueuil Sieurs defeated Amherst Ramblers 6-2
New Westminster Royals defeated Nipawin Hawks 3-2 for the Abbott Cup

Semifinals:

New Westminster Royals 10
Longueuil Sieurs 4

Vernon Lakers 11
Nipawin Hawks 5

Cetennial Cup Final:

Vernon Lakers 6
New Westminster Royals 5

Please note: Final was won in overtime.

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Marc Alain Duchaine (Longueuil Sieurs)

Top Scorer: Kelly Jones (New Westminster Royals)

Most Sportsmanlike Player: Kelly Jones (New Westminster Royals)

All-Star Team

Forward

Mark Karpen (New Westminster Royals)
David Oliver (Vernon Lakers)
Al Monitowy (Nipawin Hawks)

Defence

Andrew Wolf (New Westminster Royals)
Dean Zayonce (Vernon Lakers)

Goal

Lauren Belland (Nipawin Hawks)

Role of League Champions:

AJHL: Calgary Canucks
BCJHL: New Westminster Royals
CJHL: Hawkesbury Hawks
IJHL:
MJHL: Portage Terriers
MVJHL: Amherst Ramblers
NOJHL: Sudbury Cubs
PCJHL: Prince George Spruce Kings
QPJHL: Longueuil College Francais
SJHL: Nipawin Hawks

Vernon Lakers Playoff Roster:

Dave Oliver
Brad Neumeier
Troy Ewanchyna
Shane Morson
Rob Atkinson
Paul MacLEAN
Duane Dennis
Darren Naylor
Dean Zayonce
Don Monteith
Bruce Ramsay
Lorne Kanigan
Mike Knapton
Chad Schraeder
Garth Geddes
Cam Sylven
Jason Elders
Mike Dennis
Marcel Aubin
Rylan Ferster
Barry MacLeod
Stacy Paulson
John Hancock
Murray Caton
Dean Kutz

Owner-GM Mel Lis
Head Coach Ed Johnstone
Assistant Coach Keith Chase

For stats & rosters on Vernon Junior Hockey History, Check out Paul's Vernon Franchise website

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Five-Team Field Set For 2011 Royal Bank Cup:

This is posted on the Royal Bank Cup website:

April 27, 2011

FIVE-TEAM FIELD SET FOR 2011 RBC CUP

The Road to the 2011 RBC Cup is complete. Eight months ago, 137 teams, from Port Alberni, B.C., to Woodstock, N.B., began the 2010-11 season with dreams of being crowned national Junior A champions at the Edgeworth Centre on May 8. Now, just five remain.

Here’s a look at who will be in Camrose:

CENTRAL REGION – WELLINGTON DUKES

The OJHL’s No. 2 seed entering the postseason, the Dukes rolled through the league’s playoffs with relatively ease, never trailing in any of their four series, and dropping only four games in wins over Upper Canada, Villanova, Stouffille and Oakville, the defending league champions. A perennial contender, the league title is just the second for the Dukes, who were OJHL champions in 2003, when they lost to Humboldt in the RBC Cup semifinals.

At the Dudley Hewitt Cup in Huntsville, Ont., the Dukes looked to be well on their way to Camrose with 7-2 and 7-1 wins over Wisconsin (SIJHL) and Soo (NOJHL), but the host Otters forced Wellington to play a semifinal, winning 3-2 in double overtime to earn the automatic bye to the final. Unlike their round robin meeting with Soo the Dukes didn’t walk away with an easy victory, needing a Sean Rudy goal midway through the fourth extra period to advance.

Returning to the ice just 16 hours after Rudy’s heroics, Wellington kept pace with the rested Otters for two period before Darcy Greenaway and Joe Zarbo scored goals in the third period to give the Dukes the Central Region championship and book their ticket to Camrose, where they’ll look to become just the third Central team to win the national title since the start of the five-team format in 1990.

EAST REGION – PEMBROKE LUMBER KINGS

For the fifth year in a row the Lumber Kings hoisted the Bogart Cup as CCHL champions, but this marks only their second trip to the National Junior A Championship in that stretch. After a regional title in 2007, Pembroke lost the Fred Page Cup final in 2008 and 2010, and fell in the semifinal in 2009. But thanks to a high-powered offence, there would be no coming up short in 2011.

After averaging just over five goals per game in their run to the CCHL title, the Lumber Kings doubled that to open the Fred Page Cup in Terrebonne, Que., racking up 20 in wins over LHJAAAQ champion Longueuil (11-3) and MHL titlist Summerside (9-5). A loss to the host Cobras in its final round robin contest didn’t hurt Pembroke, which earned a bye to the final by finishing atop the standings thanks to its impressive +11 goal differential in three games.

Matching up with Longueuil once again in the championship game, the Lumber Kings took a 5-1 lead with four unanswered goals in a stretch of 7:50 over the first and second periods en route to a 6-3 victory and the team’s sixth trip to the national championship. Pembroke finished as runner-up in 1973 and 1977 in the days of the East vs. West best-of-seven final and were semifinalists in 1987, 1988 and 2007.

PACIFIC REGION – VERNON VIPERS

They’re back. The two-time defending national champions will take to the ice in Camrose looking for their seventh national title – only one other team, the Prince Albert Raiders, has won more than two. The Vipers were comeback kids in the BCHL playoffs – they trailed Westside 2-1 in the second round and were down 2-0 to Salmon Arm in the Interior Conference final going on the road – but saved their best for the Doyle Cup.

After opening the Pacific Regional series victory – their ninth in a row dating back to the Salmon Arm series – the Vipers dropped Games 2 and 3 to Spruce Grove on home ice, sending the series back to Alberta, where the Saints had lost just five times in 37 regular season playoff games. Vernon took Games 4 and 5 to put itself on the brink of a third straight trip to the RBC Cup, but the Saints, who sat atop the national rankings for much of the season, forced a deciding Game 7.

A 2-0 Vernon lead was erased by a pair of special teams goals by the Saints – one on the power play and one shorthanded. The game stayed even until the dying minutes of the third period, when Vipers captain David Robinson poked home a loose puck for the game-winner in an eventual 4-2 victory, making Vernon the first team to qualify for three straight national championships since the 1989-92 Vernon Lakers, who went to four in a row.

WEST REGION – PORTAGE TERRIERS

One of three teams in this year’s field to previously win a national championship – Vernon and Camrose are the others – the Terriers head west to Alberta looking to add an RBC Cup to the Centennial Cup they won in 1973. After a tense opening round against Swan Valley, where the Terriers needed double overtime to win each of the first two games, lost the next two and finally dispatched the Stampeders in five, they ended the reign of Dauphin and topped Selkirk in the league final, winning Portage’s third Turnbull Cup in four years.

Opening the ANAVET Cup on home ice against La Ronge, the Terriers quickly jumped out to a 2-0 series lead before dropping Games 3 and 4 in northern Saskatchewan as the Ice Wolves evened up the series. Portage scored the series’ first road win in Game 5, but La Ronge’s 1-0 victory in Game 6 back in Portage ensured the back-and-forth West Region championship would go the distance.

A tense seventh game didn’t see its first goal until Shaquille Merasty’s marker for Portage with three minutes to go in the second period, despite the fact the Terriers outshot La Ronge 24-10 in the first 40 minutes. The Harms brothers, Tanner and Brendan, and Kyle Turgeon provided insurance in the third as Portage earned a 4-0 victory and confirmed its entry into the National Junior A Championship for the first time since 2005.

HOST TEAM – CAMROSE KODIAKS

The host Kodiaks are no stranger to the national championship – they were the most successful team of the 2000s, making five appearances in an eight-year stretch, although they have just one national title (2001) to show for it. Camrose had an off year by its standards, finishing third in the AJHL’s South Division, but put together yet another memorable playoff run.

A four-game win over the Drumheller Dragons set up a quarter-final match-up with Brooks, which had finished seven points up on the Kodiaks and enjoyed a first-round bye. Camrose sat on the edge of elimination after a four-overtime loss in Game 5, but came back to win the series in seven games and advance to the South Division final against Okotoks, who finished the regular season as the No. 3 team in Canada. The Oilers jumped out to a 3-1 series lead, again forcing the Kodiaks to play for their playoff lives, but Camrose fought back, winning its third, fourth and fifth elimination games to vanquish Okotoks in seven games and move on to the league final.

The run would end there, however, as the Kodiaks fell in five games to the Spruce Grove Saints, who repeated as AJHL champions. Camrose’s attention now turns to the RBC Cup, where it will hope to be the first host team since Weyburn in 2005 to win the national title. Of the 21 host teams since the start of the six-team format in 1990, only six have won it all, and two of those were from Alberta – Olds in 1994 and Fort McMurray in 2000.

1991 Centennial Cup Recap:

After winning a record third straight Doyle Cup the Vernon Vipers will be making their record 9th trip to the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup and a chance at becoming the first Junior hockey team in history to win three straight National Championships.

Over the next few days and leading up to the 2011 Royal Bank Cup I thought I would take a look back and go through each of the years and give a recap on all of Vernon's previous eight trip's to the National Championship starting with the Vernon Lakers third straight appearence at the 1991 Centennial Cup wich was hosted by the Sudbury Cubs and Sudbury, Ontario.

The Vernon Lakers finished third place in the Interior Division with a record of 37-20-3 good for 77 pts just 4 pts shy of the first place Chilliwack Cheifs. Here’s a rundown on how the Lakers did through out the BCJHL’s Playoffs to advance to the teams third straight Centennial Cup.

Interior Division Semifinals: Vernon swept Kelowna 4-0
BCJHL League Finals: Vernon defeated Powell River 4-0
Mowat Cup: Vernon defeated Prince George (PCJHL) 3-0
Abbot Cup: Vernon defeated Yorkton (SJHL) (5-4 OT)

The Centennial Cup 1991 is the Tier II Junior "A" 1991 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.

The Centennial Cup was competed for by the winners of the Doyle Cup, Anavet Cup, Central Canadian Championship, the Eastern Canadian Champion and a host city.

The tournament was hosted by the Sudbury Cubs and Sudbury, Ontario.

The Playoffs: Round Robin

Rank Team League Ticket W-L GF GA

1 x-Yorkton Terriers SJHL Anavet Cup 3-1 22 15
2 x-Halifax Jr. Canadians MJAHL Callaghan Cup 2-2 15 14
3 x-Sudbury Cubs NOJHL Host 2-2 16 21
4 x-Vernon Lakers BCJHL Doyle Cup 2-2 14 20
5 Thunder Bay Flyers USHL Dudley Hewitt Cup 1-3 20 17

Note: x- denotes teams who have advanced to the semi-final.

Results

Yorkton Terriers defeated Sudbury Cubs 8-4
Halifax Jr. Canadians defeated Thunder Bay Flyers 5-4
Halifax Jr. Canadians defeated Vernon Lakers 8-3
Thunder Bay Flyers defeated Sudbury Cubs 10-4
Yorkton Terriers defeated Halifax Jr. Canadians 5-2
Vernon Lakers defeated Thunder Bay Flyers 3-2
Vernon Lakers defeated Yorkton Terriers 5-4 in Overtime for the Abbott Cup
Sudbury Cubs defeated Halifax Jr. Canadians 2-0
Yorkton Terriers defeated Thunder Bay Flyers 5-4
Sudbury Cubs defeated Vernon Lakers 6-3

Semifinals:

Vernon Lakers 7
Yorkton Terriers 5

Sudbury Cubs 5
Halifax Jr. Canadians 3

Centennial Cup Final:

Vernon Lakers 8
Sudbury Cubs 4

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Andrew Backen (Thunder Bay Flyers)
Top Scorer: Ryan Reynard (Thunder Bay Flyers)
Most Sportsmanlike Player: George Burton (Sudbury Cubs)

All-Star Team

Forward

Wayne Strachan (Thunder Bay Flyers)
Jason Elders (Vernon Lakers)
Dana Drake (Halifax Jr. Canadians)

Defence

Barry Cummins (Yorkton Terriers)
Andrew Backen (Thunder Bay Flyers)

Goal

Jocelyn Provost (Halifax Jr. Canadians)

Role of League Champions:

AJHL: Calgary Royals
BCHL: Vernon Lakers
CJHL: Hawkesbury Hawks
IJHL: Charlottetown Abbies
MJHL: Winkler Flyers
MVJHL: Halifax Jr. Canadians
NLJHL: St. John's 50's
NOJHL: Sudbury Cubs
PCJHL: Prince George Spruce Kings
QPJHL: Montreal Olympiques
SJHL: Yorkton Terriers

Vernon Lakers Playoff Roster:

Todd Jones
Marcel Aubin
Phil Esposito
Trevor Forsythe
Rob Shypitka
Kris Bjornson
Mike Fischer
Scott Longstaff
Troy Becker
Shawn Potyok
Lorne Kanigan
David Vecchio
Dusty McLellan
Jeff Goren
Corey Spring
Drew Sawtell
Rick Eremenko
Jason Elders
Kevan Rilcof
Murray Caton
Mirko Pellizzari

Owner-GM Mel Lis
Head Coach Ed Johnstone
Assistant Coach Keith Chase

For stats & rosters on Vernon Junior Hockey History, Check out Paul's Vernon Franchise website

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Heat Assisgn Former Viper MacMurchy To Salmon Kings:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Ryan MacMurchy has been assigned by the AHL Abbotsford Heat to the ECHL Victoria Salmon Kings. MacMurchy played just one season in Vernon (2000-01).

This is posted on the Salmon Kings website:

Salmon Kings Receive Couture and MacMurchy From AHL Derek Couture and Ryan MacMurchy activated for Western Conference Finals.

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announced today that the team has activated forwards Derek Couture and Ryan MacMurchy from their playoff reserve list after returning from the American Hockey League (AHL).

Couture returns to the Salmon Kings from the AHL’s Connecticut Whale where he played in 20 contests to finish the regular season. After joining Connecticut on March 1st he finished the season with 10 points (6g-4a) and 22 minutes in penalties. Couture also dressed for six games with the Whale in the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs, scoring two points (1g-1a) to match four penalty minutes. The veteran forward has played in 25 games with the Salmon Kings this season where he scored eight goals and assisted on 11 others for 19 points with 76 penalty minutes.

MacMurchy also returns to the Victoria lineup following time in the AHL with the Abbotsford Heat. Prior to joining the Heat on February 24th, he amassed 33 points (16g-17a) and 54 minutes in penalties across 39 games. During his time in Abbotsford, MacMurchy complied seven points (5g-2a) in 18 appearances and also tallied 23 penalty minutes.

The Salmon Kings open Round Three of the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs tonight in Anchorage with Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals versus the Aces. Puck drop is at 8:15 p.m. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings’ hockey, visit www.salmonkings.com. Victoria returns home to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for games 3, 4, 5 beginning Saturday, April 30th at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for all three home dates are on sale now and are available for as low as $5. Tickets will be available in person at the Select Your Tickets Box Office, online at www.selectyourtickets.com or over the phone at 250-220-7777.

1992 Centennial Cup Recap:

After winning a record third straight Doyle Cup the Vernon Vipers will be making their record 9th trip to the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup and a chance at becoming the first Junior hockey team in history to win three straight National Championships.

Over the next few days and leading up to the 2011 Royal Bank Cup I thought I would take a look back and go through each of the years and give a recap on all of Vernon's previous eight trip's to the National Championship starting with the Vernon Lakers record fourth straight appearence at the 1992 Centennial Cup wich was hosted by the St. James Canadians and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Vernon Lakers finished in fourth place in the Interior Division with a record of 34-23-3 was good for 71 pts. Here’s a rundown on how the Lakers did through out the BCJHL’s Playoffs to advance to the teams record fourth straight Centennial Cup.

Interior Division Semifinals: Vernon defeated Kelowna 4-2
Interior Division Final: Vernon defeated Chilliwack 4-2
BCJHL League Finals: Vernon swept Bellingham 4-0
Mowat Cup: Vernon defeated Prince George (RMJHL) 3-0
Doyle Cup: Vernon defeated Olds (AJHL) 4-3
Abbott Cup: Vernon defeated Winkler (USHL) 5-3

The Centennial Cup 1992 is the Tier II Junior "A" 1992 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.

The Centennial Cup was competed for by the winners of the Doyle Cup, Anavet Cup, Central Canadian Championship, the Eastern Canadian Champion and a host city.

The tournament was hosted by the St. James Canadians and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Playoffs: Round Robin

Rank Team League Ticket W-L GF GA

1 x-Vernon Lakers BCHL Doyle Cup 3-1 23 17
2 x-Thunder Bay Flyers USHL Dudley Hewitt Cup 2-2 23 20
3 x-Halifax Mooseheads MJAHL Callaghan Cup 2-2 22 22
4 x-Winkler Flyers MJHL Anavet Cup 2-2 18 21
5 St. James Canadians MJHL Host 1-3 21 28

Note: x- denotes teams who have advanced to the semi-final.

Results

Thunder Bay Flyers defeated St. James Canadians 7-4
Winkler Flyers defeated Halifax Mooseheads 5-3
Vernon Lakers defeated Thunder Bay Flyers 5-4 in Double Overtime
Halifax Mooseheads defeated Vernon Lakers 6-4
Winkler Flyers defeated St. James 8-4
Vernon Lakers defeated St. James 9-3
Thunder Bay Flyers defeated Winkler 9-2
St. James Canadians defeated Halifax 10-4
Halifax Mooseheads defeated Thunder Bay 9-3
Vernon Lakers defeated Winkler 5-3 for the Abbott Cup

Semifinals

Winkler Flyers 5
Vernon Lakers 2

Thunder Bay Flyers 8
Halifax Mooseheads 1

Centennial Cup Final:

Thunder Bay Flyers 10
Winkler Flyers 1

Please Note: The semi-final, Amherst vs. Chateauguay, was won in Overtime

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Scott Longstaff (Vernon Lakers)

Top Scorer: Scott Longstaff (Vernon Lakers)

Most Sportsmanlike Player: Mike Figliomeni (Thunder Bay Flyers)

All-Star Team

Forward

Scott Longstaff (Vernon Lakers)
Michal Sup (Vernon Lakers)
Glen Thornborough (Winkler Flyers)

Defence

Dane Litke (Winkler Flyers)
Jason Wright (Thunder Bay Flyers)

Goal

Chris Burns (Thunder Bay Flyers)

Role of League Champions

AJHL: Olds Grizzlys
BCHL: Vernon Lakers
CJHL: Kanata Valley Lasers
MJHL: Winkler Flyers
MJAHL: Halifax Mooseheads
NOJHL: Powassan Hawks
PCJHL: Prince George Spruce Kings
QPJHL: Joliette Nationals
SJHL: Melfort Mustangs

Vernon Lakers Roster:

Scott Longstaff
Shawn Potyok
Michale Sup
Dusty McLellean
Troy Becker
Kevan Rilcof
Greg Buchanan
Shawn Bourgeois
Jason Switzer
Chad Schraeder
Rick Eremenko
Tommi Virgunen
Sheldon Wolitski
John Morabito
Adrian Bubola
Peter Zurba
Rick Crowe
Rolan Ramoser
Murray Caton
Dave Kilduff

Owner & GM Mel Lis
Head Coach Ed Johnstone
Assistant Coach Keith Chase

For stats & rosters on Vernon Junior Hockey History, Check out Paul's Vernon Franchise website

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

1996 Royal Bank Cup Recap:

After winning a record third straight Doyle Cup the Vernon Vipers will be making their record 9th trip to the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup and a chance at becoming the first Junior hockey team in history to win three straight National Championships.

Over the next few days and leading up to the 2011 Royal Bank Cup I thought I would take a look back and go through each of the years and give a recap on all of Vernon's previous eight trip's to the National Championship starting with the Vernon Vipers fifth appearence at the 1996 Royal Bank Cup wich was hosted by the the Melfort Mustangs and Melfort, Saskatchewan.

After new ownership and some struggling seasons the Lakers were sold once again, Duncan Wray would change the historic Lakers name to the Vernon Vipers and in 1996 win its first Royal Bank Cup. That year the Centennial Cup had also changed names, now called the Royal Bank Cup. The Vernon Vipers finished in first place in the Interior Division just two pts back of the league leading Chilliwack Cheifs. The Vipers finished the season with a record of 43-13-4 wich was good for 90 pts. Here’s a rundown on how the Vipers did through out the BCJHL’s Playoffs to advance to the teams fifth National Championship winning its 3rd title.

Quarterfinals: Vernon defeated Nanaimo 4-1
Semifinals: Vernon defeated Cowichan Valley 4-0
BCJHL League Finals: Vernon defeated Langley 4-1
Mowat Cup: Vernon defeated Prince George (RMJHL) 3-0
Doyle Cup: Vernon defeated St. Albert (AJHL) 4-3

The Inaugural Royal Bank Cup, 1996 is the Tier II Junior "A" 1996 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.

The Royal Bank Cup was competed for by the winners of the Doyle Cup, Anavet Cup, Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Fred Page Cup and a host city.

The tournament was hosted by the Melfort Mustangs and Melfort, Saskatchewan.

The Playoffs: Round Robin

Rank Team League Ticket W-L GF GA

1 x-Melfort Mustangs SJHL Host 4-0 28 5
2 x-Newmarket 87's OPJHL Dudley Hewitt Cu 2-2 18 22
3 x-Vernon Vipers BCHL Doyle Cup 2-2 17 16
4 x-Yorkton Terriers SJHL Anavet Cup 1-3 12 19
5 Moncton Beavers MJAHL Fred Page Cup 1-3 9 22

Note: x- denotes teams who have advanced to the semi-final.

Results

Melfort Mustangs defeat Yorkton Terriers 7-1
Newmarket 87's defeat Vernon Vipers 7-5
Melfort Mustangs defeat Moncton Beavers 5-0
Newmarket 87's defeat Yorkton Terriers 5-2
Vernon Vipers defeat Moncton Beavers 6-3
Melfort Mustangs defeat Vernon Vipers 5-1
Yorkton Terriers defeat Moncton Beavers 8-2
Melfort Mustangs defeat Newmarket 87's 11-3
Moncton Beavers defeat Newmarket 87's 4-3
Vernon Vipers defeat Yorkton Terriers 5-1

Semifinals:

Melfort Mustangs 7
Yorkton Terriers 3

Vernon Vipers 7
Newmarket 87’s 4

Royal Bank Cup Final: (Live On TSN)

Vernon Vipers 2
Melfort Mustnags 0

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Serge Bourgeois (Moncton Beavers)

Top Scorer: Jason Duda (Melfort Mustangs)

Most Sportsmanlike Player: Valeri Ermolov (Melfort Mustangs)

Top Goalie: Joel Laing (Melfort Mustangs)

Top Forward: Jeff Cheeseman (Vernon Vipers)

Top Defenceman: Curtis Doell (Melfort Mustangs)

Role of League Champions

AJHL: St. Albert Saints
BCHL: Vernon Vipers
CJHL: Cornwall Colts
MJHL: St. James Canadians
MJAHL: Dartmouth Oland Exports
NOJHL: Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats
OPJHL: Newmarket 87's
QPJHL: Contrecoeur Eperviers
RMJHL: Prince George Spruce Kings
SJHL: Melfort Mustangs

Vernon Vipers Roster:

Jeff Cheeseman
Doug Sheppard
Sjon Wynia
Jeff Scissons
Blaine McCauley
Dustin Whitecotton
Josh MacNevin
Brent Dodginghorse
Brad Cook
Sean Patchell
Garth Gartner
John Fife
Adam Stewart
Brian Finch
Kevin McElroy
Nathan Borega
Chad Pounder
Rich Vetter
Wayne Lougheed
Ryan Deacon
Troy Smith
Chris Gaudette
Kevin Danbrook
Igor Maydebura
Mike Millar
Rob Mace
Chad Cammock
Beau Riedel
Todd Laurin

Owner & President Duncan Wray
GM & Head Coach Rob Bremner
Assistant Coach Mike Auerbach
Assistant Coach Troy Mick

For stats & rosters on Vernon Junior Hockey History, Check out Paul's Vernon Franchise website

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Former Viper Morgan On DL:

Here is a article on former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Nyjer Morgan that was posted on the Milwaukee Brewers website Friday. Morgan played two games with the Vipers as an "AP" back during the 1996-97 season.

This is posted on the Brewers website:

Brewers activate Hawkins; Morgan on DL

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com | 04/22/11

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers activated reliever LaTroy Hawkins from the disabled list amid a flurry of moves Thursday, which also included placing outfielder Nyjer Morgan on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday.

Not only did the team reach a five-year, $105 million contract extension with Ryan Braun on Thursday that runs at least through 2020, it tweaked the roster ahead of a weekend series against the Astros. Hawkins was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list, where he had resided to start the season as he worked back from last year's right shoulder surgery.

The Brewers optioned reliever Mike McClendon back to Triple-A Nashville to make room for Hawkins, but they also outrighted catcher George Kottaras to Nashville to clear space for right-handed starter Shaun Marcum to return from the bereavement list. Marcum won't start until Saturday night, but he's expected back at Miller Park on Friday and general manager Doug Melvin said the rules of the bereavement list dictate a move must be made immediately upon a player's return.

Marcum's father underwent successful heart surgery on Tuesday.

Late Thursday night, the Brewers placed Morgan on the disabled list with a lingering deep bruise in his right thigh, suffered last week in a home-plate collision in Pittsburgh. The Brewers had hoped to keep Morgan off the DL, but his injury has been slow to heal.

To take Morgan's spot, the team will purchase outfielder Brandon Boggs' contract from Nashville. The switch-hitter batted .308 in his first 14 games with the Sounds after being one of the final roster cuts in Spring Training.

1999 Royal Bank Cup Recap:

After winning a record third straight Doyle Cup the Vernon Vipers will be making their record 9th trip to the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup and a chance at becoming the first Junior hockey team in history to win three straight National Championships.

Over the next few days and leading up to the 2011 Royal Bank Cup I thought I would take a look back and go through each of the years and give a recap on all of Vernon's previous eight trip's to the National Championship starting with the Vernon Vipers sixth appearence at the 1999 Royal Bank Cup wich was hosted by the Yorkton Terriers and Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

The Vernon Vipers finished with its best season in club history. Finishing top spots in the Interior Division & #1 overall in the BCHL as the leagues best team with a record of 50-6-2 wich was good for 106 pts. Here’s a rundown on how the Vipers did through out the BCHL’s Playoffs to advance to the teams record sixth National Championship & 2nd in the last three years.

Interior Semifinals: Vernon defeated Merritt 4-1
Interior Conference Finals: Vernon defeated Prince George 4-0
BCHL League Finals: Vernon defeated Chilliwack 4-1
Mowat Cup: Vernon defeated Kimberly (RMJHL) 3-1
Doyle Cup: Vernon defated Calgary (AJHL) 4-1

The 1999 Royal Bank Cup is the Tier II Junior "A" 1999 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior A Hockey League.

The Royal Bank Cup was be competed for by the winners of the Doyle Cup, Anavet Cup, Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Fred Page Cup and a host city.

The tournament was be hosted by the Yorkton Terriers and Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

The Playoffs: Round Robin

Rank Team League Ticket W-L GF GA

1 x-Bramalea Blues OPJHL Dudley Hewitt Cup 3-1 14 11
2 x-Yorkton Terriers SJHL Host 3-1 12 8
3 x-Charlottetown Abbies MJAHL Fred Page Cup 2-2 16 13
4 x-Vernon Vipers BCHL Doyle Cup 1-3 11 15
5 Estevan Bruins SJHL Anavet Cup 1-3 11 17

Note: x- denotes teams who have advanced to the semi-final.

Results

Yorkton Terries defeat Estevan Bruins 6-1
Bramalea Blues defeat Vernon Vipers 4-2
Yorkton Terries defeat Charlottetown Abbies 2-1
Bramalea Blues defeat Estevan Bruins 4-3
Charlottetown Abbies defeat Vernon Vipers 6-5
Yorkton Terriers defeat Vernon Vipers 3-1
Estevan Bruins defeat Charlottetown Abbies 5-4
Bramalea Blues defeat Yorkton Terriers 5-1
Charlottetown Abbies defeat Bramalea Blues 5-1
Vernon Vipers defeat Estevan Bruins 3-2 for the Abbott Cup

Semifinals:

Vernon Vipers 3
Bramalea Blues 2

Charlottetown Abbies 6
Yorkton Terriers 5

Royal Bank Cup Final: (Live On TSN)

Vernon Vipers 9
Charlottetown Abbies 3

Note: Charlottetown defeated Yorkton in Double Overtime.

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Dennis Bassett (Yorkton Terriers)

Top Scorer: William Hubloo (Charlottetown Abbies)

Most Sportsmanlike Player: Anthony Aquino (Bramalea Blues)

Top Goalie: Dennis Bassett (Yorkton Terriers)

Top Forward: Kyle Amyotte (Bramalea Blues)

Top Defenceman: John Bradley (Vernon Vipers)

Role of League Champions

AJHL: Calgary Canucks
BCHL: Vernon Vipers
CJHL: Hawkesbury Hawks
MJHL: OCN Blizzard
MJAHL: Charlottetown Abbies
NOJHL: Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats
OPJHL: Bramalea Blues
QJAAAHL: Valleyfield Braves
RMJHL: Kimberley Dynamiters
SJHL: Estevan Bruins

Vernon Vipers Roster:

Lanny Gare
Ryan Bayda
Petr Chytka
Tyler Knight
Nick Ringstad
Scott Krahn
Mike Bussoli
Kori Davison
Josh Reed
Kenny Magowan
Joel Bresciani
Kelly Sickavish
Lennie Rampone
John Bradley
John Duggan
Jace Digel
Spence Gilchrist
Jeff Filewich
Tito Kamel
Tyler Valin
Danny Williams
Domenic La’Casse
Chris King
Derek Gustafson
Wade Dubielewicz

Owner & President Duncan Wray
GM & Head Coach Troy Mick
Assistant Coach Joe Oliver

For stats & rosters on Vernon Junior Hockey History, Check out Paul's Vernon Franchise website

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Vipers Stop Saints For RBC Berth:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers stop Saints for RBC berth

Published: April 27, 2011

SPRUCE GROVE – Rankings don’t seem to mean a whole lot to the Vernon Vipers. Just ask the Powell River Kings and, more recently, the Spruce Grove Saints.

After sweeping the Kings, rated No. 2 in the Canadian Junior A Hockey League poll, in the Fred Page Cup, the Vipers knocked off the No. 1 Saints in Game 7 of the Doyle Cup regional series for the second straight year. They are the first team to record three straight Doyle titles, and will commence their defence of the RBC Cup national junior A crown Saturday in Camrose against the host Kodiaks.

Other regional champions competing in the five-team round-robin tourney include Portage Terriers of Manitoba (Western), Wellington Dukes (Central) and Pembroke Lumber Kings (Eastern); the latter two clubs are from Ontario.

As was the case throughout the Doyle series, Game 7 was a tight-checking tilt between two systematic clubs Sunday night at Grant Fuhr Arena. Deadlocked 2-2 after 40 minutes, David Robinson scored the series winner with six minutes to play on an odd-man rush as Vernon skated to a 4-2 win.

Saints’ defenceman Jesse Slobodian hit the outside post with a point shot and Kyle Murphy scooped up the loose puck and wheeled up ice with linemates Robinson and Bryce Kakoske, who threw a puck on net just in time for the Viper captain to redirect it over netminder Vince Marozzi’s right shoulder.

“There’s some people outside this dressing room that didn’t think we’d get by the Westsides and Salmon Arms. Not a lot of people gave us an opportunity against the No. 2 team in the country in Powell River, and then coming into this building knowing how good they are, the No. 1 team, I’m just extremely proud of our boys,” said Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner.

“We try to bring certain players into this program, and first and foremost they have to be good kids. They sacrificed so much for this, not only on the ice, but off the ice.”

Murphy, named Vernon’s game MVP and one of the Vipers’ most reliable forwards throughout the series, is thrilled to be a part of this drive to the RBC.

“With the guys who have been here for a couple years, you can sense the energy and it’s kind of addictive. The whole playoff run has been a great experience,” said Murphy, who came back to play junior A after a season with the NCAA Division 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

After suffering a deflating 2-0 shutout loss in Game 6 Saturday night, the Vipers needed just 38 seconds to solve Marozzi Sunday as Dane Muench buried the first shot of the game, netting the rebound off a Brett Corkey blast from the point.

Dylan Walchuk, who led all Vernon scorers with four goals and two assists, made it 2-0 when he took a chip pass from Marcus Basara at the blueline and fired a weak backhander that squeaked through Marozzi's five-hole at 14:05.

The Saints' Scott Allen replied just over a minute later on the powerplay, snapping a shot just inside the right post from the high slot to re-energize 1,300 fans. Allen was the top Doyle sniper with 6+1.

After trailing 5-1 on the shot clock early in the game, the Saints ended the first period with a flurry to outshoot the Snakes 13-9 and carry momentum into the second.

Josh Keizer equalized for Spruce Grove on a tremendous shorthanded effort at 6:37, blocking Adam Thompson's point shot and then winning a foot race to break in alone to score on Kirby Halcrow.

Thompson, one of three Vipers to return for a third straight RBC (Kakoske and Stevie Weinstein are the others) made amends for his earlier mishap by lofting a clearing shot 180 feet into the empty Spruce Grove net with 20 seconds to play.

“For a little while down the ice there it was going wide, but it got a good bounce when it landed. It lifted the pressure a little bit for us,” grinned the Calgary native.

“I was just hoping I got that opportunity because I kind of blew it a little bit for the boys in the second. Sometimes things just work out.”

Coming into the season, the Viper veterans knew they would be counted on to lead the way.

Said Weinstein: “With how many guys we lost, Ferns kind of wanted to lean on our veterans and our experience. Ferns told us we got to believe. Not too many people thought we’d be in this position except the guys in our locker room. It’s nice to prove all the outsiders wrong.”

Spruce Grove head coach Jason Mckee shrugged in his post-game interview, as if to ask what more could his team do.

“There’s not a lot to choose between the two teams. That was a great hockey game and it’s one of those things; they hit the post and it goes the other way and they won a stick battle on the third goal. But it wasn’t one play that won or lost this series,” said Mckee.

When asked what he told his players after the game, the classy coach replied: “That’s between us. There’s not a lot to say at this point. Those kids gave everything they had this year to get themselves in this position and to fall short by one goal, it’s tough.”

SNAKE BITES: Vipers d-man Max Mowat was rocked by Spruce Grove captain Bryce Van Brabant early in the first period. The rookie d-man lay prone on the ice for several seconds before struggling to his feet and labouring off the ice. He did not return.

2009 Royal Bank Cup Recap:

After winning a record third straight Doyle Cup the Vernon Vipers will be making their record 9th trip to the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup and a chance at becoming the first Junior hockey team in history to win three straight National Championships.

Over the next few days and leading up to the 2011 Royal Bank Cup I thought I would take a look back and go through each of the years and give a recap on all of Vernon's previous eight trip's to the National Championship starting with the Vernon Vipers seventh appearence at the 2009 Royal Bank Cup wich was hosted by the the Victoria Grizzlies.

The Vernon Vipers finished with with a record of 42-14-1-2 top spots in the Interior Division & #2 overall in the BCHL. Here’s a rundown on how the Vipers did through out the BCHL’s Playoffs to advance to the teams record seventh National Championship.

1st Round Bye
2nd Round: Defeated Penticton 4-1
Interior Conference Finals: Defeated Salmon Arm 4-2
BCHL Fred Page Cup: Defeated Powell River 4-2
Doyle Cup: Defeated Grande Prairie 4-0
Royal Bank Cup: (6-0 In Round Robin) Defeated Humboldt 2-0 In Final

The 2009 Royal Bank Cup is the Junior "A" 2009 ice hockey National Championship for the Canadian Junior Hockey League. 2009 marked the 14th year the Royal Bank Cup has been awarded and the 39th year of modern Junior "A" hockey.
The Royal Bank Cup was competed for by the winners of the Doyle Cup, Anavet Cup, Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Fred Page Cup and the host city, the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League.

The tournament was hosted by the Victoria Grizzlies and run from May 2 to May 10 of 2009 with games played at the Bear Mountain Arena in Victoria, British Columbia.
The Vernon Vipers won the 2009 Royal Bank Cup with a 2-0 win over the Humboldt Broncos.

Teams

Victoria Grizzlies (Host) - The Grizzlies are the hosts of the 2009 Royal Bank Cup. The Grizzlies finished the British Columbia Hockey League regular season with both the best record in the Coastal Conference and the overall league. Victoria ran into a tough Powell River Kings team in the Conference Final, where the Grizzlies fell in Game 7.
Regular Season: 43 wins, 13 losses, 1 ties, 3 overtime losses

Playoffs: Defeated Cowichan Valley Capitals 4-3, Lost to Powell River Kings 3-4

Humboldt Broncos (Western) - The Broncos are the defending 2008 Royal Bank Cup champions. After easily brushing through the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs, the Broncos found themselves down 3-games-to-1 in the Anavet Cup to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Portage Terriers. The Broncos came to life in Game 5 to win 12-2, they won Game 6 in Overtime, and in Game 7 they rallied from a three goal deficit in the third period to force overtime to win the Anavet Cup in the extra frame.

Regular Season: 45 wins, 8 losses, 1 overtime loss, 2 shootout losses
Playoffs: Defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-2, Defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-0, Defeated Melville Millionaires 4-1, Defeated Portage Terriers (MJHL) 4-3

Kingston Voyageurs (Central) - The Voyageurs, the top team in the Ontario Junior Hockey League's Rudduck Division, battled through five rounds of league playoffs to win the Ruddock Division crown, the Conference championship, and the Buckland Cup as OJHL champions. At the Dudley Hewitt Cup in Schreiber, Ontario, the Voyageurs defeated the Superior International Junior Hockey League's Fort William North Stars 4-1 in the tournament final.

Regular Season: 36 wins, 9 losses, 1 overtime loss, 3 shootout losses
Playoffs: Defeated Pickering Panthers 3-1, Defeated Ajax Attack 4-0, Defeated Peterborough Stars 4-2, Defeated Huntsville Otters 4-1, Defeated Oakville Blades 4-2, Won Dudley Hewitt Cup (3-1)

Summerside Western Capitals (Eastern) - The Capitals finished the 2008-09 regular season with the best record in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. Summerside had little problem battling through the three rounds of Maritime League playoffs to move on to the Fred Page Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick. The Capitals defeated the Dieppe Commandos in the tournament final 3-2 in double overtime, pelting their goaltender with 71 shots on net before finally taking their place in the 2009 Royal Bank Cup.

Regular Season: 39 wins, 13 losses, 2 shootout losses
Playoffs: Defeated Dieppe Commandos 4-0, Defeated Miramichi Timberwolves 4-0, Defeated Truro Bearcats 4-1, Won Fred Page Cup (4-1)

Vernon Vipers (Pacific) - The Vipers were the top team in the British Columbia Hockey League's Interior Conference and second best overall behind Victoria. The Vipers convincingly walked through the BCHL playoffs, defeating all three of their opponents to win the League championship. In the Doyle Cup, the Viper made quick work of the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Grande Prairie Storm with a 4-games-sweep to clinch their spot in the 2009 Royal Bank Cup.

Regular Season: 42 wins, 14 losses, 1 tie, 3 overtime losses
Playoffs: Defeated Penticton Vees 4-1, Defeated Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4-2, Defeated Powell River Kings 4-2, Defeated Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL) 4-0

Tournament

Round Robin

Rank Team League Ticket W–L GF GA
1 x-Vernon Vipers BCHL Doyle Cup 4–0 24 12
2 x-Humboldt Broncos SJHL Anavet Cup 2–2 8 15
3 x-Victoria Grizzlies BCHL Host 2–2 16 10
4 x-Kingston Voyageurs OJHL Dudley Hewitt Cup 1–3 14 23
5 Summerside Western Capitals MJAHL Fred Page Cup 1–3 15 17

(x-) denotes Semi-final birth.

Results
Game Home Team Score Away Team Score Notes

Saturday, May 2, 2009

1 Victoria Grizzlies 1 Humboldt Broncos 2 Final - Shots: 35-34 Hum
Sunday, May 3, 2009

2 Summerside Western Capitals 2 Vernon Vipers 4 Final - Shots: 38-21 Ver
3 Kingston Voyageurs 0 Victoria Grizzlies 5 Final - Shots: 40-21 Vic
Monday, May 4, 2009

4 Summerside Western Capitals 5 Kingston Voyageurs 7 Final - Shots: 50-28 SWC
5 Vernon Vipers 7 Humboldt Broncos 1 Final - Shots: 30-20 Ver
Tuesday, May 5, 2009

6 Vernon Vipers 5 Victoria Grizzlies 4 OT Final - Shots: 32-32 Even
Wednesday, May 6, 2009

7 Humboldt Broncos 5 Kingston Voyageurs 2 Final - Shots: 34-23 Hum
8 Victoria Grizzlies 6 Summerside Western Capitals 3 Final - Shots: 41-32 Vic
Thursday, May 7, 2009

9 Kingston Voyageurs 5 Vernon Vipers 8 Final - Shots: 33-21 Ver
10 Humboldt Broncos 0 Summerside Western Capitals 5 Final - Shots: 35-18 SWC
Semi-final

Game Home Team Score Away Team Score Notes

Friday, May 8, 2009

11 Vernon Vipers 6 Kingston Voyageurs 3 Final - Shots: 34-16 Ver
12 Humboldt Broncos 3 Victoria Grizzlies 2 OT Final - Shots: 40-30 Vic
Final
Game Home Team Score Away Team Score Notes

Sunday, May 10, 2009

13 Vernon Vipers 2 Humboldt Broncos 0 Final - Shots: 27-24 Hum
Awards

Roland Mercier Trophy (Tournament MVP): Kyle Bigos (Vernon Vipers)
Top Forward: Connor Jones (Vernon Vipers)
Top Defencemen: Kyle Bigos (Vernon Vipers)
Top Goaltender: Anthony Grieco (Victoria Grizzlies)
Tubby Smaltz Trophy (Sportsmanship): Ryan Santana (Vernon Vipers)

Role of League Champions

AJHL: Grande Prairie Storm
BCHL: Vernon Vipers
CJHL: Pembroke Lumber Kings
MJHL: Portage Terriers
MJAHL: Summerside Western Capitals
NOJHL: Soo Thunderbirds
OPJHL: Kingston Voyageurs
QJAAAHL: Sherbrooke Cougars
SJHL: Humboldt Broncos
SIJHL: Fort William North Stars

Vernon Vipers Roster:

Kevin Kraus
Kyle Bigos
Cody Ikkala
Mike Collins
Mike Leidl
Cameron Brodie
James Kerr
Connor Jones
Cory Kane
Cole Ikkala
Braden Pimm
Kellen Jones
Sahir Gill
Chris Crowell
Rob Short
Kory Roy
Steve Weinstein
Nick Amies
Bryce Kakoske
Ryan Santana
Adam Thompson
Andrew Hammond
Graeme Gordon

Owner & President Duncan Wray
GM & Head Coach Mark Ferner
Assistant Coach Jason Williamson

For stats & rosters on Vernon Junior Hockey History, Check out Paul's Vernon Franchise website

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Vernon Vipers Royal Bank Cup Schedule:

Here is a look at the Vernon Vipers Royal Bank Cup Schedule:

Saturday, April 30th 6pm (BC Time) vs Camrose Kodiaks
Monday, May 2nd 2:30pm (BC Time) vs Portage Terriers
Wednesday, May 4th 2:30pm (BC Time) vs Wellington Dukes
Thursday, May 5th 6:30pm (BC Time) vs Pembroke Lumber Kings

For the entire Royal Bank Cup Schedule and more please click on the RBC Cup website link below,

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=73728&la_id=1

Former Viper Hammond Collects Two Awards At Falcons Awards Banquet:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Andrew Hammond has been named the Bowling Green's best defensive player award & most valuable player award at the Falcons year end awards banquet last week. Hammond played two seasons with the Vipers (2007-2009).

This is posted on the Falcons website:

First Year of New Era Closes with Annual Awards Banquet

The 2010-11 officially came to a close this past weekend with the annual team awards banquet.

by Ryan Gasser, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

4/19/2011

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The inaugural year of the Chris Bergeron era has officially come to a close after the team held its annual awards banquet this weekend at the BGSU Ice Area. The Falcons took time on Sunday to reflect on their first season under their new head coach, honor the four-man senior class and distribute season honors to eight different Falcon players and staff members for their contributions to the 2010-11 season.

Despite the season not having the level of success as many had hoped the Falcons celebrated the ushering in of a new brand of BGSU hockey. Players, coaches, staff, family, fans and supporters of the Brown and Orange gathered in the hundreds to honor those that put their bodies and hearts out on the ice night after night.

Among the award winners on the afternoon, sophomore goaltender Andrew Hammond (Surrey, British Columbia) was named the Jim Sears Most Valuable Player for his work between the pipes all season long. The duo of Camden Wojtala (Trenton, Mich.) and Brett Mohler (Yorba Linda, Calif.) was named the Falcons’ Rookies of the Year, combining for a line of 13 goals, 22 assists and 35 points. Falcon seniors David Solway (Green Bay, Wisc.), Wade Finegan (Toronto, Ontario), Nick Eno (Howell, Mich.) and Andrew Krelove (Thunder Bay, Ontario) were all recognized for their four-year BGSU careers that defined "dedication".

A complete list of team awards is listed below.

Bowling Green finished the season with an overall mark of 10-27-4 and a 3-21-4 conference mark with a pair of shootout victories. The team rebounded after losing seven of its last eight games in the regular season by become the first team in Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) history to win a playoff series as the lowest seeded team in the conference tournament winning two of three games at Northern Michigan in the first round of the CCHA Tournament. The team witnessed four dedicated seniors, led by captain David Solway, finish their Falcon careers as some of the most dedicated individuals to walk through the corridors of the BGSU Ice Arena and a second-year post master emerge as the bright spot between the pipes that helped lead the team to its first playoff victory since 2007-08.

Award Recipient

Jack Gregory Scholar-Athlete Award: Nick Eno (Sr., G)

Dr. Ron Zweirlein Leadership Award: David Solway (Sr., F)

Sam Cooper Leading Scorer Award: Jordan Samuels-Thomas (So., F)

Howard Brown Coaches’ Award: David Solway (Sr., F)

Dr. Tom Wojciechowski Recognition Award: Josh Kugel (video coordinator)

Bill and Helen Lloyd Most Improved Player Award: Wade Finegan (Sr., F)

Jim Ruehl Best Defensive Player Award: Andrew Hammond (So., G)

Rookie of the Year Award: Brett Mohler (Fr., F) and
Camden Wojtala (Fr., F)

Jim Sears Most Valuable Player Award: Andrew Hammond (So., G)