Williamson Pulls Off First Trade As New GM:

Just after a month after former Vernon Vipers Head Coach-GM, Mark Ferner left the Vipers for the WHL Everett Silvertips, former Assistant Coach Jason Williamson was named the clubs new Head Coach GM. On Tuesday Williamson pulled off his first trade as the teams new GM and what a huge trade it was. The Vipers sent 19 year old forward, Dane Muench, 20 year old defenceman, Phillip Patenaude and future considerations to the SJHL Kindersley Klippers for 20 year old forward, Jarryd Ten Vaanholt and 19 year old defenceman, Justin Elliott both who played last year with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. On June 28th the Silverbacks traded, Elliott, Ten Vaanholt and forward, Josh McKissocks to the Klippers for 19 year old defenceman, Sean Flannagan. McKissock was delt to the Chilliwack Chiefs Tuesday as now all three former Silverbacks that were involved in the deal are all back in the BCHL.

Lets take a look at the players the Vipers traded,

19 year old forward, Dane Muench played in 23 games with the WHL Regina Pats collecting (2-5-7) before being released. The Vernon Vipers aquired Muench's playing rights at last years BCHL trade deadline from the SJHL Battleford North Stars. In 15 games with the Vipers Muench collected (1-5-6).

Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=267279&playerID=740949

Most Viper fans were pretty disapointed with Muench after a kid that was said to have some soft hands and a nice scoring touch didnt do a whole heck of alot as a Vernon Viper. Muench who played on the fourth line didnt really contribute and at times was more of a liablility leaving his psoition and getting burned after not covering his man. Hopefully a return back home (Saskatchewan) and to a league (SJHL) where he is famialiar with Muench can re-gain some confidence and be a very strong player for the Klippers. All the best with Kindserley Dane!

20 year old defenceman Phillip Patenaude attended the Vernon Vipers traning camp last year and made the hockey club after working extremely hard during camp and the pre season. In 36 games due to injury Patenaude only collected (0-1-1).

Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=267279&playerID=606351

From the first day I attended training camp and through out the season, I really liked Patenaude. A hard working kid that needs a little work defensively in and around the net and needs to be a little more physical, Patenaude was a little soft and was beaten or knocked off the puck at times but was a fairly steady d-man. Over the off season, I was wondering if Patenaude a 20 year old player would crack this years Vernon Vipers lineup due to the fact he was a 20 year old with previous concusion problems. Patenaude took a pretty big hit in a game last season in Port Alberni and missed most of the remainder of the regular season due to a concusion. I didnt think Phillip was the same player once he returned to the lineup after the hit-concusion. I just think it would be pretty tough for Phillip to crack the Vipers roster this season as a 20 year old wich is too bad. If Phillip was a year younger, I think he would have had a chance at making the Vipers lineup as a second year player, all the best with the Klippers Phillip!

19 year old defenceman Justin Elliot played in 19 games last season with the Coquitlam Express collecting (0-0-0) before getting traded to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. In 25 games with the Silverbacks Elliot collected (0-2-2) before getting traded to the SJHL Kindersley Klippers in late June in a four player deal.

Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=267280&playerID=495770

I didnt get to see alot of Justin Elliott last season as he played with the Express in the Coastal Conference and came to the Backs late in the season. I thought Elliott played fairly well against the Vipers and was one of the Silverbacks better d-men who was hard to get through. With the losses of veteran defencemen, Steve Weistein, Adam Thompson & Malcolm Lyles the Vipers have two maybe three d-men returning from last years club. (Brett Corkey, Max Mowat and maybe Ryan Renz who is rumored to be returning for another season in Vernon) so the addition of Elliott is big adding a veteran 19 yr old d-man wich could return for the following season as well. Welcome to Vernon Justin!

20 year old forward Jarryd Ten Vannholt played in 58 games with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks last year collecting (22-28-50) before getting traded to the SJHL Kindersley Klippers in late June in a four player deal.

Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=267280&playerID=688455

Ten Vaanholt seemed to save his best games when the Backs played the Vipers as Ten Vaanholt collected (5-2-7) in five regular season games vs Vernon. I was very impressed with this kid, was always very dangerous with and without the puck. After having troubles putting the puck in the net last season and the departure of leading scorer, Dylan Walchuk Ten Vaanholt comes to the Vipers putting up 50 pts last season in his first season in Salmon Arm, Im looking for Ten Vaanholt to lead the Vipers in scoring this coming season. A huge pick up for the Vipers. Im looking forward to the home and home series with the Backs to start the regular season, should be very emotional with Elliott and Ten Vaanholt facing their former team mates. Welcome to Vernon Jarryd!

After Mark Ferner went with a more smaller-less physical hockey team the past two years, you can bet Jason Williamson will likely add some size, grit and toughness to this years Vipers lineup. Williamson a former Vernon Vipers captain wasnt afraid to drop the gloves and played a hard-physical game will be looking for the same as the teams new Head Coach-GM. Just look at the two new players brought in this week. Justin Elliott is at 6'2, 200 lbs a big strong d-man that plays his position well. Jarryd Ten Vaanholt is listed at 6'1, 185 lbs. The question now is, is Williamson done trading before training camp starts? Or will he be looking to add a little more size and toughness or maybe some scoring up front? In the end I really like this trade and am very excitied for the upcoming season, bring it on!

Let's take a look at the Vipers roster for this coming season. Here is a list of returning and recruited players as well as players aquired in trades. This may be a sneak peak at this years version of the 2011-12 Vernon Vipers.

Forwards:

Marcus Basara (Returning From Last Year)
Aaron Hadley (Returning From Last Year)
John Knisley (Returning From Last Year)
Patrick McGillis (Returning From Last Year)
Zach McPhee (May Return From Last Year-Or Join The WHL Everett Silvertips)
Darren Nowick (Returning From Last Year)
Colton Sparrow (Returning From Last Year)
Michael Zalewski (Returning From Last Year)
Adam Tambellini (Recruited-Committed)

Defence:

Geoff Crisfield (Recruited-Committed)
Marc Hetnik Jr (Recruited-Committed)
Luke Juha (Aquired In Trade)
Brett Corkey (Returning From Last Year)
Max Mowat (Returning From Last Year)
Ryan Renz (Rumored To Be Returning From Last Year)
Justin Elliott (Aquired In Trade)

Goaltending:

Kirby Halcrow (Returning From Last Year)