Well with Tuesday's BCHL trade deadline come and gone do the Vipers have what it takes to get into the BCHL playoffs and make a good run deep into the playoffs?
Before Tuesday's deadline the Vipers were forced to trade 18 yr old forward, Peter McMullen to Langley for future considerations after captain, Patrick McGillis returned to the lineup last weekend.
The Vipers were then delt a huge blow on Tuesday's deadline after 19 yr old forward, Dylan Walchuk left the Vipers joining the WHL Spokane Cheifs just a few weeks after returning to Vernon after leaving the University of Northern Michigan. This is a huge blow to the Vipers who were looking for some offence-leadership from the second third year Viper. It's very hard replacing a player like Walchuk, especially on the final deadline day.
Jason Williamson and the Vipers pulled off just one trade before Tursday's deadline aquiring 20 yr old forward, Clayton Chessa from the Trail Smoke Eaters for future considerations before sending Chessa to Nanaimo for 20 yr old forward and Nanaimo product, Colton Cyr. Due to the fact that the Vipers & Clippers only face each other once or twice a season I dont know alot about Cyr who has played all five seasons with his hometown Clippers. In 202 regular season games with Nanaimo Cyr has collected (48-42-90). Cyr has collected 29 pts the past two seasons with 14 pts so far this season. Listed at 5"11, 175 lbs the veteran 20 yr old should bring in some veteran BCHL experience as well as leadership. Cyr should make his Vipers debut tomorrow night in Merritt. Welcome to Vernon Colton!
I was hoping the Vipers could have picked up a veteran defenceman to help bolster the blueline. You can bet if the Vipers were looking at a veteran d-man-player they would have to give up alot in return. Kirby Halcrow who hasnt been the same goaltender as he has shown the past two years, needs to step up his game and show Viper fans as well as the rest of the league he is a #1 goaltender that can give the Vipers solid goaltening down the road and hopefully help guide the Vipers into a playoff spot.
Let's hope Ben Gamache, John Knisley and Luke Juha return soon and the Vipers can stay healthy and make a good run for one of the final two playoff spots, stay healthy and do some damage in the playoffs, where anything can happen.
In Colton Cyr you get a very classy, hard-working character kid. He plays the game the right way.
ReplyDeleteI find it somewhat strange to keep hearing you call for the need for veteran defenseman. I would rather have skilled defenseman in both the categories of puck movers and shutdown guys regardless of age/experience.great decisiomakers are what we need. In the bchl there are a lot of skilled dmen who are 17 and 18 even more so than most of the 19 and 20 year olds i.m.o. And didn't we trade for a vet from Victoria recently? I think we need timely momentum building saves and more finish around the net so the vipers can win more of the many close games they seem to be in. That's what gets you deep into the playoffs.
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