This was posted last week on the Kiss FM website-Rob Abramenko's blog:
Vernon Vipers Are Number ONE!
Written by Rob Abramenko
Wednesday, 06 April 2011
'From nobody to upstart. From upstart to contender. From contender to winner. From winner to champion. From champion to Dynasty.' - Pat Riley. If you're not a fan of the Vernon Vipers then no need to read any further than this. This week's blog looks at the incredible success of 'THE GREATEST' Junior A hockey franchise in the history of the game. Period. So, if you are a Salmon Arm Silverback fan or you cheer for the Penticton Vees, look away...because this will be one of the most indulgent blogs of all time!
ARE THE VIPERS THE GREATEST JUNIOR A HOCKEY FRANCHISE OF ALL TIME? - DUH, Winning!
When I asked this question out loud in the KISS newsroom, News Director Pete McIntyre responded with 'That's a no brainer.' And he would know, he was play by play guy for the Vernon Lakers/Vipers for three of their National Championships. I called the 1999 national title and Todd Miller has been the 'Voice Of The Vipers' for the past two RBC cups. Based on the fact that no other team in the history of Junior A has won as many times as Vernon, really makes it a no brainer question. But its more than that! Vernon has won 6 national championships, 10 BCHL titles and 15 Interior titles since 1988. In 23 years, Vernon has written the record book on team success. In hockey circles, Vernon's history is often compared to that of the Montreal Canadiens...but what maybe makes it more impressive is the fact they lose their players every two years or so, making it even harder to be successful.
We always say we're spoiled in Vernon, but do we really know how much? Scrap the national championships, and the Doyle Cups and BCHL titles. Did you know that Prince George, Quesnel, Trail, and Westside have never even won an Interior Conference championship and Merritt and Salmon Arm have only won it once in 25 years. Can you imagine not ever being in a Fred Page Cup playoff series? In some cases the teams have yet to make the playoffs twice in a row. In fact we should be proud of the players, the staff, the coaches and ownership. They deserve all the credit! Duncan Wray is a fantastic owner, Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson are the best coaching tandem in the league and maybe in the country. The organization is classy and committed to winning. We are lucky indeed.
With a third straight BCHL Championship and focus on another Doyle Cup....I think its safe now to say....Vernon is a DYNASTY! Enjoy it everyone! And the haters who often say "your history means _____" I say to them...its better to make history then to be history.
VERNON VIPERS DYNASTY: THE NUMBERS! - How good are they? Let Me Count The Ways....
Vernon - 12 BCHL Championships
Penticton - 9 BCHL Championships
Nanaimo - 5 BCHL Championships
Kelowna - 4 BCHL Championships
Chilliwack - 3 BCHL Championships
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