Former Vernon Viper Greg Beller Named To SPHL All-Rookie Team:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Greg Beller has been named to the SPHL All-Rookie team. Beller who is with his third team this season (Idaho, Augusta and now Columbus) signed with the Columbus Cottonmouths back on November, 12th 2011 Beller played one season in Vernon (2007-08) playing in 23 regular season games collecting (10-10-20). Beller left Yale University during the 2007-08 season joining the Vernon Vipers midway through the regular season. Beller was selected by New York Rangers in round 6 #178 overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Greg Beller's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=87902

This is posted on the SPHL website:

Cottonmouths, Surge Lead SPHL All-Rookie Team

Date: Mar 26, 2012

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Southern Professional Hockey League on Monday announced its 2011-2012 All-Rookie Team as selected by a vote of SPHL coaches and media representatives.

2011-2012 SPHL All-Rookie Team

F - Jordan Chong, Pensacola Ice Flyers (56 gp, 21-33-54, 9 ppg, 3 gwg)
F -Brayden Metz, Louisiana IceGators (56 gp, 23-33-56, 14 ppg)
F - Greg Beller, Columbus Cottonmouths (34 gp, 16-20-36, +17)
D -Andrew Krelove, Columbus Cottonmouths (54 gp, 8-16-24, 4 ppg, 3 gwg)
D - James Isaacs, Mississippi Surge (56 gp, 8-12-20, +13, 4 ppg, 3 gwg)
G -Kiefer Smiley, Mississippi Surge (19-10-2, 2.49 gaa, .907 save%, 2 shutouts)

Jordan Chong of the Pensacola Ice Flyers tied for the lead in assists by a rookie (33, with Brayden Metz), was second in both points (54) and power play goals (9), while his 21 goals ranked third among first-year players. Chong played his collegiate hockey at St. Scholastica (MN), where he led the team in scoring his senior season.

Brayden Metz of the Louisiana IceGators led all SPHL players with 14 power play goals. Metz was also tops among first-year players in scoring (56 points, 8th overall) and goals (23) and was tied for the lead in assists (33, with Jordan Chong). Last season, Metz scored 73 points in 53 games with Melfort and Melville of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Greg Beller of the Columbus Cottonmouths scored 36 points in 34 games (16 g, 20 a) despite missing more than a month with a broken jaw. His +17 rating and .186 shooting percentage (16 goals on 86 shots) were both fourth-best among rookies. Beller played the previous three seasons with the University of Manitoba where he averaged a point-per-game in 2010-11.

Andrew Krelove of the Columbus Cottonmouths finished the season tied for the lead in points by rookie blueliners with 24 while his eight goals were tied for second-best. Krelove also finished tied for first among all SPHL defensemen with three game-winning goals and was third among defensemen in power play goals (4). Krelove spent the previous four seasons with the Bowling Green State University Falcons.

James Isaacs of the Mississippi Surge led all rookie defensemen with a +13 rating and finished tied for second in goals with eight. Isaacs also finished tied for first among all SPHL defensemen with three game-winning goals and was third among defensemen in power play goals (4). Isaacs previously spent two seasons with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Kiefer Smiley of the Mississippi Surge led the SPHL with a 2.49 goals against average, while his 19 wins were second-most in the league. Among all goaltenders, Smiley finished tied for second with two shutouts and tied for third in save percentage (.907), while his minutes played (1858:21) were fourth-best. Smiley spent the last two years stopping pucks for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL where he won 36 games.

The league will announce its First-Team All-SPHL and Second-Team All-SPHL rosters on Tuesday.

Former Viper Brent Kisio & The Calgary Hitmen's Season Ends In Game 5 Loss To Wheat Kings:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Brent Kisio and the WHL Calgary Hitmen's season come to an end Thursday night with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings who captured the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final series 4 games to 1. Kisio is in his fifth season in Calgary as one of two Assistant Coaches with the Hitmen. Kisio played one season in Vernon (2002-2003) in 59 regular season games with the Vipers Kisio collected (20-46-66).

Brent Kisio's Player-Coaches Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=78357  

This is posted on the Hitmen website:

REBOUND SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE

March 29, 2012

The 2012 WHL playoffs have come to a close for the Calgary Hitmen with a 3-2 overtime loss against the Brandon Wheat Kings at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg on Thursday night.

“I thought tonight we could have had a better fate and I think if we would have seen that type of game throughout the series it wouldn’t be over today. Brandon played hard, they played extremely well in front of their goalie, they have good goaltending, they played well defensively, blocked shots and certainly deserved to win,” said Hitmen head coach, Mike Williamson.

Paul Ciarelli netted the game-winning marker 8:26 into overtime to capture the Eastern Conference Quarter-Final series 4 games to 1.

Although the Hitmen outshot the Wheat Kings by a 8-2 margin in extra time, Ciarelli took advantage of a scramble in front of the net and roofed in the rebound.

Starting netminder, Brandon Glover made 40 saves for Calgary as the Hitmen outshot Brandon 44-43.

The opening period was rendered scoreless as both goaltenders put on an impressive display. Brandon Glover was tested just before the midway mark of the first frame as Alessio Bertaggia and Bruno Mraz came racing down the ice on the 2-on-1. Glover read the play well as Bertaggia passed it to Mraz who ripped a one-timer which was turned away by his left pad.

Scoring was opened just 36 seconds into the middle stanza as Eric Roy launched a shot from the point. Series-point leader, Bertaggia, not only provided the leaping screen in front of Glover but managed to get a stick on it to deflect it in.

Alex Gogolev marked his third of playoffs 1:12 into the third frame to even the slate. The Russian rookie muscled his way through Mark Stone in front of the net and landed a backhander over the glove of Corbin Boes.

Thirty seconds later Calgary took their first road lead of the series as Chase Clayton registered his first goal of the playoffs, depositing in the rebound.

The score was reset at 2 apiece three minutes later as Ciarelli beat the trapper of Glover as the puck caught the inside of the far post.

Plenty of scoring chances surfaced for both sides in the third as intensity built into the waning minutes of regulation. Boes flashed the leather at 9:43, making one of his 34 regulation saves, as Jimmy Bubnick was denied on a prime scoring opportunity off the faceoff.

Game 5 was destined for overtime as a combined 77 shots were fired over 60 minutes of play.

Jimmy Bubnick, Collin Bowman, Brooks Macek and Trevor Cheek each chipped in one assist in the loss.

The Hitmen compiled 44 wins in the 2011-12 WHL regular season to finish sixth overall, improving from last year’s 20 win and 22nd place finish.

Former Vernon Viper Brandon Marino Named CHL’s Most Valuable Player:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Brandon Marino has been named 2011-12 Central Hockey League Most Valuable Player. Marino, 25, enjoyed a breakout season during which he led the league with 41 goals and finished second with 90 points. Marino is the first Mallard since Luke Stauffacher (42) in 2006-07 to top 40 goals in a season and the first since Mike Kompon (90) in 2004-05 to reach the 90-point plateau. The 5’ 9”, 185-pound Riverside, California native also led the league in power play goals (13), ranked fourth in assists (49) and finished tied for fourth in shorthanded goals (3) and game winning goals (7) while also posting a plus/minus rating of +9. Marino was named to the All-CHL Team earlier this month. Marino played just two games with the 2002-2003 Vernon Vipers is in his third season with the CHL Quad City Mallards.

Brandon Marino's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=93732

This is posted on the Mallards website:

MARINO NAMED CENTRAL HOCKEY LEAGUE MVP

03/26/2012

Quad City Mallards forward Brandon Marino has been named 2011-12 Central Hockey League Most Valuable Player, the Mallards announced today in conjunction with the CHL.

Marino, 25, enjoyed a breakout season during which he led the league with 41 goals and finished second with 90 points. Marino is the first Mallard since Luke Stauffacher (42) in 2006-07 to top 40 goals in a season and the first since Mike Kompon (90) in 2004-05 to reach the 90-point plateau. The 5’ 9”, 185-pound Riverside, California native also led the league in power play goals (13), ranked fourth in assists (49) and finished tied for fourth in shorthanded goals (3) and game winning goals (7) while also posting a plus/minus rating of +9. Marino was named to the All-CHL Team earlier this month.

“I’m truly honored to receive this award. On a personal level I’m proud of what I accomplished this season and this is just the icing on the cake,” said Marino. “I’d like to thank [Mallards] coach [David] Bell for giving me the opportunity to prove what kind of player I could be. I’d really like to thank my teammates- it took all five guys who were on the ice with me every time I was out there and all 20 guys in the locker room to make this possible. A big thank you also goes to the fans of the Quad Cities for their great support during my three years here.”

Marino earned 25 of the 50 MVP votes cast by CHL head coaches, team communications departments and media members- nearly twice as many as second place finisher Todd Robinson of Evansville, who received 13 votes.

“I couldn’t be happier for Brandon and this recognition,” said Bell. “He was able to have a career year yet still play within the structure of our hockey team. He was one of the hardest working and most focused players on a nightly basis, so this result is not all that surprising to me.”

This is not the first time Marino has received league-wide recognition for his standout play this season. He was selected to start in January’s CHL All-Star Game and was named MVP of the mid-season classic after scoring the winning goal and collecting three assists as the All-Stars defeated the host Arizona Sundogs.

Marino this year produced more goals and points than he had in his previous two seasons combined. He scored ten goals and produced 38 points in 58 games last year after totaling 13 goals and 44 points in his first professional campaign.

Marino was not only hugely productive but also remarkably consistent this season. Playing in all but one of the Mallards’ 66 games, he twice recorded points in 13 straight games and went consecutive games without notching a point just once. He collected at least two points in a game 24 times, collected three or more points in 14 tilts and twice matched a team season high and personal career high by piling up four points in a game. He recorded his first career hat trick in the Mallards’ 6-5 win over the Rush in Rapid City of February 25.

Due in no small part to Marino’s considerable contributions, the Mallards, who went 37-27-2 and totaled 76 points, won more games, picked up more standings points and scored more goals- 230- this season than any Mallard team has since 2006-07. The Mallards, who finished in fifth place in the CHL’s Turner Conference, ended the season as the second highest scoring team in the league.

Marino is the first Mallard to earn league MVP honors since the team arrived in the Quad Cities in 1995.

Before joining the Mallards, Marino helped Cinderella story Bemidji State to a berth in the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four. Marino scored seven goals and notched 19 points in 36 games in 2008-09 and rang up 15 goals and 51 points in 116 games over his four years as a Beaver. He played junior hockey for three seasons in the British Columbia and North American leagues before enrolling at BSU.

This is posted on the CHL website:

Brandon Marino Named CHL Most Valuable Player

Quad City’s Brandon Marino Named CHL’s Most Valuable Player

GLENDALE, AZ (March 26, 2012) – The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Brandon Marino of the Quad City Mallards has been named the recipient of the 2011-12 Central Hockey League Most Valuable Player award.

The MVP honor is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team’ and is determined through balloting of CHL coaches, communications staff members and selected media members in CHL markets.

Marino was selected on 50 percent of the ballots earning 25 votes, a dozen more than second place finisher Todd Robinson of Evansville. Marino and Robinson were joined by Allen’s Bruce Graham, Rapid City’s Shawn Limpright and Wichita’s Matt Robinson as finalists on the MVP ballot.

Marino finished the season second in the league with 90 points. His 41 goals and 13 power play goals led the league and his seven game winning goals was tied for fourth in the CHL. The Riverside, California native had 24 multiple-point games during the season and he becomes just the second player to win the CHL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player and the league’s MVP honors in the same season (Greg Pankewicz, 2004-05).

Back in January, Marino scored the game winning goal, had three assists and was a +4 in the CHL All-Stars 6-4 win over the Arizona Sundogs at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

During the season, Marino was recognized as the Oakley Three Star Player of the Month for January and at the conclusion of the season, ranks as the CHL’s top three star player with 73 points (was named a star of the game 25 times including seven first star honors). He was also named a member of the 2011-12 All-CHL Team.

After recording four points in three games in October, Marino continued his offensive production highlighted by 10 goals and 21 points in the month of December. The 5-9, 185-pound forward had 18 points in March, 17 points in January and 15 points in November and February.

The Mallards finished the season with a 37-27-2 record narrowly missing the post-season with 76 points.

CHL Most Valuable Player Award (winners since 2001)

2011-12 – Brandon Marino (Quad City)
2010-11 – Riley Nelson (Colorado)
2009-10 – Kevin Ulanski (Colorado)
2008-09 – Sebastien Thinel (Odessa)
2007-08 – Jeff Bes (Laredo)
2006-07 – Jeff Christian (Youngstown)
2005-06 – Derek Hahn (Amarillo)
2004-05 – Greg Pankewicz (Colorado)
2003-04 – Jeff Bes (Laredo)
2002-03 – Don Parsons (Memphis)
2001-02 – Don Parsons (Memphis)

2012 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:

CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year – Bryan Rogers, Dayton Gems
CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year – Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush
CHL All-Rookie Team – Jared Brown (QDC), Andrew Courtney (MIZ), Mark Guggenberger (TEX), Dylan King (ALN), Jeff Terminesi (TUL) and Mike Ullrich (TUL)
All-CHL Team – Frankie DeAngelis (FTW), Mark Guggenberger (TEX), Shawn Limpright (RPD, Brandon Marino (QDC), Todd Robinson (EVA) and Riley Weselowski (RPD)
CHL Man of the Year – Riley Weselowski, Rapid City Rush
CHL Rookie of the Year – Mark Guggenberger, Texas Brahmas
CHL Coach of the Year – Kevin McClelland, Wichita Thunder
CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman – Riley Weselowski, Rapid City Rush
CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender – Mark Guggenberger, Texas Brahmas
CHL Joe Burton Scoring Champion – Todd Robinson, Evansville IceMen
CHL Most Valuable Player – Brandon Marino, Quad City Mallards

Americans Sweep Former Vipers Head Coach-GM Mark Ferner's Silvertips:

Former Vernon Vipers Head Coach-GM Mark Ferner and the WHL Everett Silvertips were swept in the opening round of the WHL playoffs after a 4-3 overtime loss to the visiting Try-City Americans Wednesday night. Everett finished the WHL regular season with a 22-40-2-8 record finishing just two points up on 9th place Seattle.

Ferner was the Vipers bench boss for four seasons (2007-2011) helping the Vipers make three straight trips to the Royal Bank Cup before signing with Everett in early July. Former Vernon Vipers forward, Zach McPhee is also a memeber of the Silvertips. McPhee a Vernon product played last year with the Vipers & Silvertips before joining the Silvertips this season full time.

This is posted on the Silvertips website:

Thrilling Comeback Not Enough as ‘Tips Bow Out

Mar 28, 2012

EVERETT – Trailing 3-0 with less than 14 minutes left in their season, the Everett Silvertips put together a stirring third-period comeback tie the game and force overtime before falling 4-3 to the Tri-City Americans in Game 4 of their first-round WHL playoff series Wednesday night at Comcast Arena. The Silvertips fought down to the end, but Zachary Yuen’s goal with 1:07 left in the first overtime secure the series sweep for Tri-City, who advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

Everett had been shut out in five consecutive periods before clawing their way back in the third behind goals from Ryan Harrison, Ryan Murray and Josh Caron, who evened things up at three with only 40 seconds left in regulation. Kent Simpson stopped 35 shots and held the Americans off the scoreboard for nearly 50 consecutive minutes of play before Yuen’s overtime winner.

The Silvertips came out strong in the first and outshot the Americans 11-10, but Tri-City would record the only goal to take the lead. Brendan Shinnimin received a long pass along the right boards and cut to the net before beating Simpson in tight to give the Americans a 1-0 lead after one.

Tri-City opened the second period and the powerplay and immediately added to their lead when a point shot caromed off Mason Wilgosh, who then spun around and fired the puck just inside the left post to give the Americans a two-goal lead. The visitors would go up 3-0 midway through the frame when Mitch Topping rifled a slap shot into the top corner from the blue line. Everett held a 23-16 shot edge through two periods, but trailed the game 3-0 going into the third.

Rather than throwing in the towel for the last 20 minutes, the Silvertips turned up the pressure and began to chip away at the deficit. Ryan Harrison got the ‘Tips on the board on the powerplay, sending a rebound chance through traffic and in from the high slot at 6:10 to make it 3-1. Tri-City went on a five-minute powerplay a short time later when Harrison was given a major penalty for charging, but Everett retained the momentum. Ryan Murray received a Cody Fowlie pass on a shorthanded rush and skated past the defense before backhanding a shot over Rimmer’s glove hand to pull the ‘Tips back within one.

The Silvertips killed off the remainder of Harrison’s penalty and kept pressing to tie the game, but didn’t do so until the final minute of regulation. With Kent Simpson off for an extra attacker, Josh Winquist and Josh Birkholz helped get the puck to the right point, where Josh Caron slipped a quick shot past Ty Rimmer to even the game at three with 40 seconds left.

Everett had ten shots and a few quality chances, but Rimmer held on until Tri-City began to counter with chances of their own. With a tired Silvertips unit trapped in the d-zone and unable to change, Zachary Yuen sent a long wrister into the top corner to give the Americans the victory and end the Silvertips’ season.

Kent Simpson (0-4) stopped 35 shots, while Ty Rimmer (4-0) made 42 saves as Everett outshot Tri-City 45-39. The ‘Tips finished 2 for 4 on the powerplay, while the Americans were 1 for 5.

The loss ends the Silvertips’ ninth season in Everett after the club was able to extend its streak of qualifying for the WHL playoffs in all nine years of existence. The ‘Tips will now begin preparing special plans for our tenth anniversary season in 2012-13, which begins in September. Check back here at everettsilvertips.com throughout the offseason for all the latest Silvertips news and information, including the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft in early May and the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in June.

WCC Logo, Other Details Announced At Nanaimo Media Conference:

WCC logo, other details announced at Nanaimo media conference

Thursday, March 29, 2012 - Submitted by CJHL Communications

The Canadian Junior Hockey League and Nanaimo Clippers held a media conference Thursday in Nanaimo - the host community of the 2013 Western Canada Cup - to introduce the community, media and fans to the newly formed event and a chance to welcome the executives from the four western leagues to the host city.

“We are incredibly excited to be awarded the opportunity to bring the inaugural Western Canada Cup to the city of Nanaimo, our loyal fans, and corporate sponsors”, stated Nanaimo Clippers owner Ken Wagner. “The Western Canada Cup will be a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our beautiful city and province. It creates an equally exciting opportunity to showcase Western Canada’s top hockey talent to our deserving fans. We are confident our tournament committee will set exceptional standards with the inaugural Western Canada Cup.”

The 2013 Western Canada Cup Host Committee is already in full motion preparing for the event in Nanaimo. “The key positions on the host organizing committee are now in place and we are extremely eager to begin the detailed planning associated with an event of this prestige and magnitude,” stated Host Committee Chair Graham Calder. “Nanaimo is the right city for this inaugural event due to the strong support from the Clipper organization, our fans and business supporters. As we move towards the beginning of the 2012-2013 season, we will be reaching out to the great volunteer community in Nanaimo to help stage this event and to set a very high standard for this tournament going forward."

The CJHL, in conjunction with the host committee, unveiled the official logo for the Western Canada Cup. The Western Canada Cup logo is based on the classic shield and banner motif, and reflects the four leagues through the use of the four stars in the banner. The distinctive Western Canada Cup wordmark reflects a modern, high energy tone and incorporates red to represent Canada. The bold graphic outline and overall balanced composition provide a solid, confident icon to represent the ideals of sportsmanship and excellence in Western Canadian Junior Hockey. The colours used within the Western Canada Cup logo pays homage to the CJHL using the same palette to unite the four leagues under the CJHL.

Canadian Junior Hockey League Chairman Kirk Lamb believes the new regional playoff format will increase exposure for the athletes and further highlight Junior A hockey across Canada, “The Western Canada Cup will create great excitement for our fans, teams and communities across the western provinces. This new event, along with the Fred Page Cup in the East and Dudley-Hewitt Cup in Ontario, will foster an even higher level of competition and talent. The Western Canada Cup represents an extension of the great partnerships being created by the Junior A leagues in the West which have continued to benefit the CJHL.”

The 2013 Western Canada Cup will be held from April 26 to May 5. The event will be hosted by the BCHL in 2013, followed by the MJHL (2014), AJHL (2015), and SJHL (2016). A Site Selection Committee will be responsible for selecting a host team annually, upon the recommendation of the host league.

The Western Canada Cup:In January 2012, the Canadian Junior Hockey League announced a new regional playoff format for its four western provinces. The British Columbia Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Manitoba Junior Hockey League will participate in a five-team tournament and award the first-ever Western Canada Cup beginning in 2013.

The Western Canada Cup will include a host team and the champion from each of the four western leagues. The 13-game tournament will include a round-robin schedule followed by two semifinal games and a championship game. The winner and runner-up will both represent Western Canada at the RBC Cup National Junior A Championship.

Eagles Player Profile With Former Vipers Defenceman Isaac Smeltzer:

Kevin McGlue of the ECHL Colorado Eagles sits down one on one with Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Isaac Smeltzer in this video to find out about his first vehicle, his opinion on Niagara Falls, what he earned his degree in, and more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv176v-ZbSg&feature=player_embedded

Smeltzer recently signed with the ECHL Colorado Eagles back on March, 14th 2012. In eight games with the Eagles this season Smeltzer has just one assist. Smeltzer played his first three and a half seasons in the BCHL with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs before being traded to Vernon in his final season of Junior hockey (2007-2008). Alberni Valley traded Smeltzer to Vernon on November, 29th 2007 for forward, Evan Witt and defenceman, Eliot Raibl. Smeltzer collected (6-17-23) in 29 regular season games with the Vipers.

Isaac Smeltzer's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=80371

This is posted on the Eagles website:

PVHS Player Profile: Isaac Smeltzer

03/20/2012

The PVHS Player Profiles are back! Each week throughout the season, Poudre Valley Health System, the official health care provider of the Colorado Eagles, will be helping you get to know the players that make up the Eagles' roster on a personal level.

A different player will be featured each week, and fans can learn about the player in a multitude of ways. Fans can tune into 107.9 The Bear during each pre-game show to hear the player's thoughts on the current week's match-ups, a video profile will be posted on www.ColoradoEagles.com each week, and if the team is playing at home, information about the player will be shown on the videoboard during the game(s) at the Budweiser Events Center.

This week's featured player is the newest Eagle, amateur defenseman Isaac Smeltzer. Watch this video to find out about his first vehicle, his opinion on Niagara Falls, what he earned his degree in, and more!

Former Vernon Viper Blake Voth's Junior Career Ends In Game 7 Loss To Red Wings:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Blake Voth's junior hockey career came to an end last night after Voth's Melville Millionaires lost 2-0 in the Conference Finals to the Weyburn Red Wings in the Sherwood final 4-games-to-3. Weyburn will now advance to the Canalta Cup Finals.

Voth played two seasons in Vernon (2009-2011) was traded on May 26th 2011 to the SJHL Battlefords Stars as part of the future considerations in the trade that sent Dane Muench to the Vipers on last years trade deadline. Voth never played with the North Stars, playing one game in the USHL before the North Stars traded Voth to Melville.

Blake Voth's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=48223

This is posted on the SJHL website:

RED WINGS ADVANCE TO CANALTA CUP FINALS

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Three players who missed game six due to injury came back to be key contributors in game seven as the Weyburn Red Wings blanked the Melville Millionaires 2-0 to win the Sherwood final 4-games-to-3.

Jack Kennelly set up Miguel Pereira for the game's first goal on a Wing powerplay at 13:07 of the first period. Both of those players sat out Saturday's 5-1 Melville victory in game six.

Weyburn made it 2-0 on a 5-on-3 powerplay midway through the second when Ryan Whitell fired one over the shoulder of Blake Voth from the right wing face off circle.

Goalie Mitch Kilgore, who missed games five and six, made 22-stops to record his second shutout of the series.

In the end, the Mils' inability to stay out of the penalty box caught up to them; while they were also unable to break Weyburn's impressive penalty kill as the Wings killed off 30 of 32 Melville powerplays from game two onward.

The Canalta Cup final schedule will be released, possibly as early as Wednesday. It's expected Humboldt will host game one on Friday and there is a chance they'd also host game two on Saturday. Details will be posted once they are official.

Logo & Other Details Of Inaugrual WCC To Be Announced Thursday:

Logo and other details of inaugrual WCC to be announced Thursday, March 29

Friday, March 23, 2012 - Submitted by CJHL Communications

The four western provinces of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and the Nanaimo Clippers Hockey Club will host a press conference on Thursday, March 29, 2012 in Nanaimo, BC.

The Nanaimo Clippers will host the 2013 Western Canada Cup from April 26 – May 5, 2013. The host committee and participating leagues will proudly reveal the event logo and details of the inaugural event to the community of Nanaimo at the March 29 press conference.

What:

Unveiling of event logo and announcement of details for the inaugural Western Canada Cup.

A unique opportunity to simultaneously access the leaders of the British Columbia Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and Manitoba Junior Hockey League

When:

Thursday, March 29th, 2012
11:00am (Local Time)

Where:

Frank Crane Arena
Nanaimo, BC

Who:

CJHL Chairman, Kirk Lamb
2013 Western Canada Cup Host Committee Chairman, J. Graham Calder
BCHL Commissioner, John Grisdale
AJHL President, Craig T. Cripps
SJHL President: William D. (Bill) Chow
MJHL Commissioner: Kim Davis
Nanaimo Clippers Ownership and Staff
Members of the 2013 Western Canada Cup Host Committee
All participants will be available to the media immediately following the press conference, and for telephone interviews to media representatives not in attendance.

For more information:

Charla Flett
CJHL Communications
cjhlwebmaster@shaw.ca
(403) 999-5734

Jen Kennedy
Director, sales and marketing
Nanaimo Clippers Hockey Club
jen@nanaimoclippers.com
250-751-0593

Former Viper Brad Preistlay & The Powell River Regals Win 2012 Savage Cup:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Brad Preistlay & the Powell River Regals won the 2012 Savage Cup Saturday with a 3-1 victory over former Vernon Vipers forward, Aaron Schepers, goaltender, Kirby Halcrow & the Fort St. John Flyers to sweep the best of five series 3-0. The Regals now await the winner of the Alberta final between Stony Plain Eagles and Horse Lake Thunder.

Aaron Schepers played one season in Vernon (2004-2005) before being traded the following season to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. In 44 regular season games with the Vipers Schepers collected (5-4-9).

Aaron Schepers Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83862

Kirby Halcrow played parts of the past two seasons in Vernon (2010-2012) after coming over in a trade with the Quesnel Millionaires back on December 1st 2010 for defenceman, Elliot Richardson & goaltender, Bryton Udy & future considerations. In 66 regular season games with the Vipers Halcrow went (34-30-2) with two shutouts.

Kirby Halcrow's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=134744

Brad Preistlay played one season in Vernon (1999-2000) before leaving the Vipers during the season for the WHL Portland Winterhawks. In 47 regular season games with the Vipers Preistlay collected (2-10-12).

Brad Preistlays Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=55412

IceCaps Sign Former Vernon Viper Scott Zurevinski:

The AHL St. John’s IceCaps have signed former Vernon Vipers forward, Scott Zurevinski to an amateur tryout contract. Zurevinski just finished his fourth year at Quinnipiac University played two years in Vernon (2006-2008). In 96 regular season games with the Vipers, Zurevinski collected (47-47-94). Zurevinski attended the Pittsburgh Penguins 2011 development camp this past July.

Scott Zurevinski's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=93311

This is posted on the IceCaps website:

St. John's IceCaps News

IceCaps sign Zurevinski to ATO

March, 18th 2012

The St. John’s IceCaps today announced they have signed forward Scott Zurevinski (Zerr-VIN-ski) to an amateur tryout contract.

Zurevinski, 23, played in 39 games with Quinnipiac University of the ECAC this season. In that time, the Saskatoon, SK native has recorded 19 points (5G, 14A) and 64 penalty minutes.

The 6’2, 215 pound forward has played four seasons with the Quinnipiac University Bobcats where he has appeared in a total of 155 games for 92 points (46G, 46A) and 185 penalty minutes.

Zurevinski will join the team in St. John’s for its two-game series with the Manchester Monarchs this weekend.

Former Vernon Viper Brandon Marino Falls Three Points Short Of Winning CHL Scoring Title:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Brandon Marino (41-49-90) finishes his season leading the league in goals and ranked second in point scoring fell just short of winning the Central Hockey league's scoring title after Evansville forward Todd Robinson earned the Joe Burton Scoring Championship finishing the regular season with 92 points (23 goals, 69 assists).

Marino & the CHL Quad City Mallards ended their season with a 5-2 win over the Bloomington Blaze Saturday night. The Mallards went 37-27-2 (76 points) this season and finished fifth in the Central Hockey League’s Turner Conference. Marino who was named to the All-Central Hockey League Team last week is also a finalist for the CHL Most Valuable Player. Marino played just two games with the 2002-2003 Vernon Vipers is in his third season with the CHL Quad City Mallards.

Brandon Marino's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=93732

This is posted on the CHL website:

IceMen's Todd Robinson Wins Scorinng Championship

March, 25th 2012

Todd Robinson Wins Joe Burton Scoring Championship

GLENDALE, AZ (March 25, 2012) – With the conclusion of the Central Hockey League’s (CHL) regular season, Evansville forward Todd Robinson has earned the Joe Burton Scoring Championship finishing the regular season with 92 points (23 goals, 69 assists).

The award is given annually to the league’s leading scorer and is presented in honor of Joe Burton, the CHL’s career leader with 985 points accumulated over 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Blazers and the first person inducted into the CHL Hall of Fame this past January.

CHL Scoring Leaders

Robinson led the league in scoring for a majority of the season and along the way captured three Oakley CHL Player of the Week awards. The Trail, British Columbia native led the league in assists as well and finished two points ahead of the second leading scorer in the league, Quad City’s Brandon Marino (90 points).

The veteran forward is a finalist for the CHL Most Valuable Player award which will be announced on Monday, March 26. The other five finalists joining Robinson are Allen’s Bruce Graham, Rapid City’s Shawn Limpright, Marino and Wichita’s Matt Robinson.

Robinson was a CHL All-Star this season and was named to the All-CHL Team. He finished the year with 22 multi-point games and had three points or more 11 times during the season.

CHL Joe Burton Award (winners since 2001, named after Joe Burton starting in 2003-04)

2011-12 – Todd Robinson (Evansville)
2010-11 – Sebastien Thinel (Odessa)
2009-10 – Kevin Ulanski (Colorado)
2008-09 – Sebastien Thinel (Odessa)
2007-08 – Alex Leavitt (Arizona)
2006-07 – Jeff Christian (Youngstown)
2005-06 – Derek Hahn (Amarillo)
2004-05 – Jason Duda (Wichita)
2003-04 – Jeff Bes (Laredo)
2002-03 – Don Parsons (Memphis)
2001-02 – Dan Price (Austin)

2012 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:

CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year – Bryan Rogers, Dayton Gems
CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year – Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush
CHL All-Rookie Team – Jared Brown (QDC), Andrew Courtney (MIZ), Mark Guggenberger (TEX), Dylan King (ALN), Jeff Terminesi (TUL) and Mike Ullrich (TUL)
All-CHL Team – Frankie DeAngelis (FTW), Mark Guggenberger (TEX), Shawn Limpright (RPD, Brandon Marino (QDC), Todd Robinson (EVA) and Riley Weselowski (RPD)
CHL Man of the Year – Riley Weselowski, Rapid City Rush
CHL Rookie of the Year – Mark Guggenberger, Texas Brahmas
CHL Coach of the Year – Kevin McClelland, Wichita Thunder
CHL Most Outstanding Defenseman – Riley Weselowski, Rapid City Rush
CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender – Mark Guggenberger, Texas Brahmas

Former Vipers Captain Mike Ullrich Named To CHL All-Rookie Team:

Former Vernon Vipers Captain, Mike Ullrich was named to the CHL All-Rookie team. Ullrich has been near the top of the rookie scoring list for the entire season. The 25-year old Alberta native has played in every single game this season for the CHL Tulsa Oilers and is tied for the team lead with 56 points. Ullrich has recorded two hat-tricks in first full professional season and has picked up multiple points in 12 outings. Ullrich is also a finalist for the CHL Rookie of the Year award. Ullrich is in his first season with the CHL Tulsa Oilers, played two years in Vernon (2005-2007).

Mike Ullrich's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=82968

This is posted on the CHL website:

CHL All-Rookie Team Announced

March 19, 2012

CHL Announces 2011-12 All-Rookie Team

GLENDALE, AZ (March 19, 2012) – The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today the six member CHL All-Rookie Team for the 2011-12 season, selected through balloting of all 14 CHL head coaches. This year’s team is comprised of forwards Jared Brown of Quad City, Andrew Courtney of Missouri and Mike Ullrich of Tulsa. They are joined by defensemen Dylan King of Allen, Jeff Terminesi of Tulsa with goaltender Mark Guggenberger of Texas.

2011-2012 All-Rookie Team

F: Jared Brown, Quad City Mallards
F: Andrew Courtney, Missouri Mavericks
F: Mike Ullrich, Tulsa Oilers
D: Dylan King, Allen Americans
D: Jeff Terminesi, Tulsa Oilers
G: Mark Guggenberger, Texas Brahmas

Jared Brown, Forward (Quad City Mallards):

Jared Brown in the top scoring rookie in the CHL with 64 points (25-39=62) and his 25 goals are third in the league among all first-year players. The Gardner, Kansas native has been consistent since the beginning of the season recording double-digit points in four of the five months so far with 16 points in both December and February. Brown has 17 multiple-point games on the season and is third on the Mallards in scoring. Brown is one of five finalists for the CHL Rookie of the Year award.

Andrew Courtney, Forward (Missouri Mavericks):

Andrew Courtney is third among rookies with 54 points (28-26=54) on the season and his 28 goals are the most among all first-year players and his five game winning goals lead all rookies. The Belleville, Ontario native is third on the Mavericks in scoring and is one of five finalists for the CHL Rookie of the Year award.

Mike Ullrich, Forward (Tulsa Oilers):

Mike Ullrich is tied for second in the league among all rookies with 56 points (27-29=56) and is second among rookies with 27 goals (seven power play goals are tied for the most). The Banff, Alberta native was named the 50/50 Central CHL Rookie of the Month for November and is one of the five finalists for the CHL Rookie of the Year award.

Dylan King, Defenseman (Allen Americans):

Dylan King has been a steady defensive presence for the Americans scoring four goals with four assists in 44 games. His +11 is third among all rookie defensemen and earlier this season, the 21-year-old was called up to the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. In late December, King was named a member of the 2012 CHL All-Star Team and prior to the season he was a part of the NHL training camp of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Jeff Terminesi, Defenseman (Tulsa Oilers):

Jeff Terminesi is tied for fifth among all defensemen in scoring with 39 points (8-31=39) and his huge month of November (15 points) had him as the top scoring defenseman in the league for a good portion of the first half of the season. The Mississauga, Ontario native was named a member of the 2012 CHL All-Star Team.

Mark Guggenberger, Goaltender (Texas Brahmas):

Mark Guggenberger has been one of the elite goalies in the league since the start of the season earning him a place as one of the five finalists for the CHL Most Outstanding Goaltender award and the CHL Rookie of the Year award. The Richfield, Minnesota native is 21-8-3 on the season with a league-best 2.07 goals against average and he carries a .918 save percentage. Guggenberger was the winning goaltender in the 2012 CHL All-Star Game in January stopping 35 of 36 shots in his team’s 6-4 win. He led all rookie team voting appearing on 13 of the 14 ballots.

The All-CHL Team will be announced later today and the CHL Man of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, March 20 with the finalists being Allen’s Jason Deitsch, Arizona’s Tyler Butler, Dayton’s Greg Labenski, Fort Wayne’s Brent Henley and Rapid City’s Riley Weselowski.

2012 CHL Awards that have already been announced are:

CHL Athletic Trainer of the Year – Bryan Rogers, Dayton Gems
CHL Gunner Garrett Equipment Manager of the Year – Romeo Vivit, Rapid City Rush

Former Viper Cory Kane & The Bulldogs Win Regional To Reach Frozen Four:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Cory Kane & the Ferris State Bulldogs will be making an appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four as the Bulldogs defeated Cornell 2-1 in the Midwest Regional final on Saturday. For the first time in program history, the Ferris State University men's ice hockey will be making an appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four. Kane in his second season with the Bulldogs played two years in Vernon (2008-2010) In 119 regular season games with the Vipers Kane collected (42-55-97).

Cory Kane's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=119311

This is posted on the Bulldogs website:

Bulldogs Win Regional To Reach Frozen Four!

March 24, 2012

Green Bay, Wis.- For the first time in program history, the Ferris State University men's ice hockey will be making an appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four as the Bulldogs defeated Cornell 2-1 in the Midwest Regional final on Saturday (March 24) night at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

The victory is perhaps the biggest in FSU hockey history and among the tops all-time in Ferris State Athletics history as the Bulldogs garnered their first-ever NCAA Frozen Four berth.

The Bulldogs have compiled a 25-11-5 record thus far in the 2011-12 season while Cornell ended their season with a 19-9-7 overall record.

The thrilling game started with two scoreless periods. FSU sophomore forward Garrett Thompson (Traverse City) got on the board first as he netted his 10th goal of the season eleven seconds into the third period as the Bulldogs had time left over from a second period Cornell penalty. The play started as Jordie Johnston (Rosetown, Saskatchewan) skated through the zone and got a shot on that was deflected wide. Junior forward Matthew Kirzinger (Leroy, Saskatchewan) then put the puck in front of a wide open net for Thompson to slam home.

Cornell answered back at the 18:28 mark as Dustin Mowrey scored on a bad turnover from the Bulldog squad to tie the game up at 1-1.

Ferris State went on to make the score 2-1 at the 6:54 mark of the third period as sophomore Andy Huff (Howell) took the puck from the neutral zone and skated to a 2-on-1 where he found Johnston in front of the net, who shot it top shelf over the Cornell netminder. Sophomore forward Cory Kane (Irvine, Calif.) also tallied a helper.

For the Bulldogs, senior netminder Taylor Nelson (Regina, Saskatchewan) made 22 saves in the victory. On the other end of the icel, Andy Iles made 19 saves for The Big Reds.

Ferris State went 1-for-5 on the power-play while Cornell went 0-for-6. The Bulldogs served 27 penalty minutes on eight infractions. Cornell served 12 minutes in the box on six penalties.

FSU had to kill off several penalties in the second period and finished off a five-minute penalty kill in the third period of play.

Following the contest, FSU President Dr. David Eisler spoke to the team in the live inside the locker room in Green Bay.

The Bulldogs will continue their season on April 5 in Tampa Bay, Fla., as they face Union in the national semifinals.The remaining two teams will be decided in regional final action tomorrow (March 25).

More information on the Frozen Four will be announced soon. Please stay tuned to www.FerrisStateBulldogs.com

Former Vernon Viper Cole Ikkala & The Dutchmen Win NCAA East Regional & Berth In Frozen Four:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Cole Ikkala and the Union Dutchmen won the NCAA Division I East Regional title game Saturday night, defeating former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Malcolm Lyles and UMass-Lowell, 4-2. The Dutchmen are now going to the Frozen Four for the first time in school history. Ikkala in his second season with the Dutchmen played two years in Vernon (2008-2010) In 92 regular season games with the Vipers Ikkala collected (30-32-62).

Cole Ikkala's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=119312

This is posted on the Dutchmen website:

Union downs UMass Lowell, 4-2 to win NCAA East Regional and berth in Frozen Four!

3/24/2012

BRIDGEPORT, CT – For the first time in program history the Union College men's ice hockey team (26-7-7, 14-4-4 ECAC Hockey) is going to the Frozen Four. The Dutchmen won the NCAA Division I East Regional title game at Webster Bank Arena on Saturday night, defeating UMass-Lowell, 4-2.

Sophomore forward Josh Jooris had a goal and an assist, and junior forward Jeremy Welsh had a goal, his team-leading 27th of the year, to lead the Dutchmen. Sophomore goaltender Troy Grosenick stopped 19 of 21 shots to earn the win. Welsh was named the East Regional Most Outstanding Player.

The Dutchmen advance to the 2012 Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida, with semifinal games scheduled for April 5 and the national championship game on April 7. UMass-Lowell finishes the season 24-13-1 (17-9-1 Hockey East).

The matchup featured two programs who have had outstanding seasons with a first year coach, featuring Union's Rick Bennett and UMass Lowell's Norm Bazin. The Dutchmen were in search of their fourth straight win over Lowell (in the first meeting since 2009).

Union's first opportunity came at 2:12 when a pass out front was tipped high off the stick of Matt Hatch into the glove of Doug Carr. Lowell came the other way at 2:32 and a Joseph Pendenza shot off the glove of Troy Grosenick almost dribbled in. He swept it away just before it crossed the line and the video review confirmed the call.

The Dutchmen, 19-3-4 when scoring first this season, got a giveaway from a defenseman behind the River Hawk net. Junior forward Kyle Bodie got the puck on the left behind the net and quickly fed an open Daniel Ciampini in the slot. The freshman winger fired home his third of the season at 3:03.

UML got the first power play of the night but the Dutchmen killed off the hooking call to Jooris at 4:19. The River Hawks got only one wide shot off during the man up. At 7:06 junior forward Wayne Simpson shot from inside the left circle and the rebound was also stopped off the shot of senior forward Kelly Zajac

The Dutchmen went on a short lived power play with a Terrence Wallin boarding call at 7:33. Doug Carr made two saves on the man up including a big pad stop off a Welsh drive from the mid point. But sophomore forward Daniel Carr was called for interference at 8:20 to set up the four-on-four.

Jooris got a pass at the top of the right circle at 13:46 that was kicked away and out of play by Carr. With 4:42 left, Union won a faceoff at the left dot and Simpson got the feed but his drive was stopped. Another defensive giveaway in the Lowell zone led to a loose puck in front for Hatch, who nailed a wrister that was stopped and rebounded right back out to Zajac, who also was stopped by Carr. With 3:27 left, the flurry continued with a drive by Welsh and a rebound shot by Jooris both denied by the River Hawk netminder. With 2:54 left, it continued with a Max Novak shot stopped close in front. Carr made seven saves in the final three plus minutes.

Lowell's Scott Wilson got a pass off a face off and his shot between the circles was snagged with the glove by Grosenick with 54 seconds left. Shots in the period were 18-9 in favor of Union.

Just 1:40 seconds into the second period, a shot off the glass bounced out in front and David Vallorani picked it up and was stopped close in front. Moments later at 1:53 Ciampini had a shot from the top of the left circle go wide. The puck stayed in the UML zone and at 3:56 a Greg Coburn shot form the right point was padded away by Carr. Union was outshooting the River Hawks, 5-1 through the first six minutes of the second period.

Then at 7:12, the Dutchmen took a 2-0 lead on their 25th shot on goal of the game. Welsh cleaned up a rebound on the doorstep for his 27th of the year. Carr and Jooris picked up assists on the play.

Lowell's second shot of the period did not come until 8:51 of the second stanza, with a right circle shot by Chad Ruhwedel tied up by Grosenick. After that shot, there were matching penalties followed by a boarding call on Union that set up a four-on-three for Lowell. Ruhwedel, the only man on the point, had a big drive stopped by Grosenick at 10:36 and a scrum ensued that saw the puck drift past his left post.

UMass Lowell got back to within one at 2-1 at 14:06. Wallin went around a checking defenseman in tight and the puck knocked off his right foot and found its way in for his eighth of the season.

The Dutchmen went on the power play with 3:34 left in the second, with Riley Wemore off for holding. Union got it back up to a two goal lead with a pretty backhander from inside the left circle by Jooris. It was his eighth of the season. Ciampini was called for a trip at 18:37. The Dutchmen outshot the River Hawks 12-4 in the period and 30-13 through two periods.

After he got out of the box early in the second, Ciampini came in covered by the left defenseman but got off a good backhander stopped by Carr. A two on one three minutes in had Carr drop a pass off to Jooris on the right circle, and his high shot rang off Carr's left post. With 4:30 gone, Lowell's Wetmore was open in the slot and held it before firing it wide left of the cage.

Lowell then got a break on a defensive giveaway behind the Union net. The puck slipped directly out in front and Matt Ferriera quickly deposited it in for his 29th of the season to pull the River Hawks within one at 3-2.

The River Hawks pressured in the Union zone and the Dutchmen called a time out with 9:26 left in the third. Just under the eight minute mark, Kyle Bodie shot in tight but was stopped on the left side by Carr. At 13:21 Welsh carried in the zone and fired from the top of the left circle and Carr made the stop.

The River Hawks had a golden opportunity when Shayne Thompson's shot deflected and just wide but a rebound attempt to tuck it in was smothered by Grosenick with 4:49 left. With 3:38 remaining a left point shot by Jake Suter went wide left of the Union net, but the puck came back out in front and Grosenick was able to get it away from a crowd on the crease. The River Hawks called their time out with 1:47 left in regulation, after Carr caught a Welsh shot from the top of the circles.

Lowell pulled Carr with just over a minute left and the Dutchmen appeared to take a 4-2 lead with 40.6 seconds left. But the officials huddled, and then counted the goal scored by Kyle Bodie, his sixth.

Union finished with a 39-21 shot advantage on the night, with Grosenick stopped 19 and Carr making 36 saves.

As time ran out, the large Union contingent celebrated the historic moment. Welsh was joined on the all-tournament team by Jooris, Mat Bodie, Nolan Julseth-White and Grosenick.

Wranglers Sign Former Vernon Vipers Defenceman Dan Nycholat:

The ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers have signed former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Dan Nycholat to a amateur try-out (ATO). Nycholat just finished his first season (2011-12) at Dartmouth College, collecting two assists and 15 penalty minutes in 25 games before signing with the Wranglers. Nycholat played two season's at Northeastern University before leaving the Huskies and playing one season in Vernon (2009-2010) where he won the top defenceman award.   The AJHL Canmore Eagles traded Nycholat's playing right's on August, 20th 2009 to the Vipers for forward, Kory Roy and future considerations.  In 58 regular season games with the Vipers Nycholat collected (7-38-45). 

Dan Nycholat's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=101611

This is posted on the Wranglers website:

Wranglers Roster Grows by Five

March 16, 2012

The Las Vegas Wranglers added five players to their roster today before taking on the Stockton Thunder tonight in California. Goalies Mike Brodeur and Robby Moss and defenseman Joe Schiller have agreed to terms with the team while forward Carlo Finucci and defenseman Daniel Nycholat have signed amateur try-out (ATO) agreements.

Brodeur (“Bro-durr”), 28, has played professional hockey for eight seasons. The 6’2’’, 185-pound netminder made his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators in 2009-10, and won all three games he appeared in. Last season, Brodeur spent 97 minutes in the net for Ottawa and stopped 35 shots for a 0.833 save percentage. The Wranglers will be the sixth ECHL team Brodeur has played for in his career.

Moss, 24, comes to the Wranglers after four seasons at St. Lawrence University, where he went 11-11-3 over his career. The 6’1’’, 185-pound native of Chesterfield, Mo. earned a 3.22 goals-against average and 0.886 save percentage in his final season with the Saints.

Finucci (“Fin-new-chee”), 24, signed an ATO agreement after four seasons at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. The 5’9’’, 190-pound forward recorded 53 points (18 goals, 35 assists) in 122 games for the Nanooks.

Nycholat (“Nee-co-lat”), 22, spent the 2011-12 season at Dartmouth, collecting two assists and 15 penalty minutes in 25 games. While playing for the Vernon Vipers in the British Columbia Hockey League, the 6’2’’, 190-pound blueliner was given the 2009-10 Top Defenseman Award.

Schiller, 23, joins the Wranglers after four seasons (2008-12) at Minnesota State University, Mankato. The 6’1’’, 185-pound defenseman tallied 31 points (8 goals, 23 assists) in 109 games, and played three seasons (2008-11) for the Mavericks with Wranglers defenseman Channing Boe. Schiller, from Detroit Lakes, Minn., was also named a Western Collegiate Hockey Association Scholar-Athlete for his past three seasons.

The Wranglers finish a nine-game road series this weekend as the team plays the Stockton Thunder tonight and the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday. When the team returns home to Orleans Arena on Sunday, March 18, Wranglers players will shave their heads on the ice after the game to raise funds and awareness for St. Baldrick’s Foundation and childhood cancer.

Former Viper Brandon Marino Named To All-CHL Team:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Brandon Marino has been named to the All-Central Hockey League Team. Marino, 25, leads the league in goals (39) and power play goals (12), ranks second in points (86), is tied for third in shorthanded goals (3) and ranks fourth in assists (47). The 5’ 9”, 185-pound Riverside, California native is currently in the midst of an 11-game point-scoring streak during which he has produced ten goals and piled up 19 points. Marino is also a finalist for CHL Most Valuable Player. Marino played just two games with the 2002-2003 Vernon Vipers is in his third season with the CHL Quad City Mallards.

Brandon Marino's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=93732

This is posted on the Mallards website:

MARINO NAMED TO ALL-CHL TEAM

03/19/2012

Quad City Mallards forward Brandon Marino has been named to the All-Central Hockey League Team, the Mallards announced today in conjunction with the CHL. It was announced earlier today that Mallards forward Jared Brown has been named to the CHL All-Rookie Team

“It’s great to see that other coaches in the league recognize how good and valuable these two players have been to our team,” said Mallards coach and general manager David Bell. “The Quad Cities and I have been very fortunate to watch them all year. I am very proud to have them on my team.”

Marino, 25, leads the league in goals (39) and power play goals (12), ranks second in points (86), is tied for third in shorthanded goals (3) and ranks fourth in assists (47). The 5’ 9”, 185-pound Riverside, California native is currently in the midst of an 11-game point-scoring streak during which he has produced ten goals and piled up 19 points. Marino is also a finalist for CHL Most Valuable Player.

Marino is within one goal of becoming the first player in the CHL to reach the 40-goal plateau this season and the first Mallard to do since Luke Stauffacher scored 42 times in 2006-07. He has recorded more points than any Mallard has in a season since Mike Kompon posted 90 in 2004-05.

Marino was selected to start in January’s CHL All-Star Game and was named MVP of the mid-season classic after scoring the winning goal and collecting three assists as the All-Stars defeated the host Arizona Sundogs.

Now in his third professional season- all spent with the Mallards- Marino has long since eclipsed his previous career highs for goals, assists and points in a season. He scored ten goals and produced 38 points in 58 games last year after totaling 13 goals and 44 points in his first pro campaign.

Before joining the Mallards, Marino helped Cinderella story Bemidji State to a berth in the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four. Marino scored seven goals and notched 19 points in 36 games in 2008-09 and rang up 15 goals and 51 points in 116 games over his four years as a Beaver. He played junior hockey for three seasons in the British Columbia and North American leagues before enrolling at BSU.

Marino is joined on the All-CHL Team by forwards Shawn Limpright (Rapid City) and Todd Robinson (Evansville); defensemen Frankie DeAngelis (Fort Wayne) and Riley Weselowski (Rapid City); and goaltender Mark Guggenberger (Texas). Both the All-CHL and All-Rookie Teams were selected in voting by the league’s coaches.

The Mallards return to action tomorrow evening against the Gems in Dayton. The Mallards next play at home on the final night of the regular season- Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. - against the Bloomington Blaze. The first 1,000 fans through the doors for Saturday’s regular season finale will receive free 2011-12 Mallards player card sets. An auction of game-worn Mallards jerseys will immediately follow Saturday evening’s game.

Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or tickets@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets for Saturday night’s game.

Tickets are also available at the i wireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period. Individual game tickets are available for $13 in the upper level and $18 in the lower level and $25 for the first row along the glass for adults. Tickets for kids 12 and under are available for $5 off adult rates. In addition, tickets are available to military personnel for $2 off the regular adult rate.

Former Vernon Viper Garrett Noonan Named To Hockey East Second All-Star Team:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Garrett Noonan has been named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team. Noonan was Selected by the Nashville Predators in round 4 #112 overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Noonan played one season in Vernon (2009-2010) collecting (2-16-18) in 58 regular season games with the Vipers.

Garrett Noonan's Player Profile:

http://www.goterriers.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/noonan_garrett00.html

This is posted on the Terriers website:

Six Terriers Honored on Hockey East All-Star Teams

Clendening named First Team All-Star; Connolly, Noonan on Second Team

March 15, 2012

Connolly, Millan, Privitera Earn Hockey East Year-End Honors

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Sophomore Adam Clendening was named a Hockey East First Team All-Star while senior Chris Connolly and sophomore Garrett Noonan were selected to the Second Team, as announced on Thursday evening at the league's annual banquet at the Royal Sonesta.

Clendening and Noonan were the only underclassman skaters who were selected to the First and Second Teams. In addition, senior Kieran Millan, junior Alex Chiasson and sophomore Matt Nieto were tabbed Honorable Mention All-Stars.

Over the last eight seasons, BU defensemen have been represented on the First and Second All-Star Teams a combined 11 times (8 First Team, 3 Second Team) with at least one named in all eight years.

Clendening currently leads all Hockey East defensemen in scoring this season with 29 points on three goals and 26 assists. He was a Hockey East All-Rookie Team pick last year as a freshman.

During Hockey East play, Connolly led all league players in assists with 26 and was tied for fifth in plus-minus at plus-13. He ranks third on the team this season with a career-high 39 points (9g, 30a).

Noonan is tied for the nation lead in goals by a defenseman with 16 and has added 10 assists to total 26 points, good for seventh on the team. His plus-21 rating for the season is tied for first among Hockey East players

Millan, a two-time Hockey East Second Team All-Star, posted a .927 save percentage in Hockey East games. He has 20 wins this season and posted three shutouts - all in conference play.

This team's leader in points this season with 43 (14g, 29a), Chiasson's point total ranks fourth among Hockey East skaters, helping him emerge as one of the top right wingers in the country.

Nieto tied for fourth among Hockey East players in scoring during league play with 32 points (10g, 22) and his season total of 40 points (14g, 26a) is the second-best on the Terrier squad.

The fifth-ranked Terriers will face No. 10/11 Maine on Friday (March 16) in the semifinals of the Hockey East tournament.

Former Vernon Viper Voth Named SJHL Goaltender Of The Week:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Blake Voth has been named the SJHL goaltender of the week. Voth and the Melville Millionaires are in the Conference Finals vs Weyburn after knocking off the Yorkton Terriers in five games in the opening round of the SJHL Playoffs. The series is tied 2-2 after the Mills 4-3 double overtime win in Game 4 last night. Voth made 43 saves in the double OT win. Games 5 & 6 go Friday & Saturday night.

Voth played two seasons in Vernon (2009-2011) was traded on May 26th 2011 to the SJHL Battlefords Stars as part of the future considerations in the trade that sent Dane Muench to the Vipers on last years trade deadline. Voth never played with the North Stars, playing one game in the USHL before the North Stars traded Voth to Melville.

Blake Voth's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=48223

This is posted on the SJHL website:

SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Monday, March 19, 2012

Blake Voth, Melville Millionaires

Voth began the series against Weyburn by posting a win and a loss, but was impressive in compiling a 1.52-GAA and a .954-SPCT.

Three Former Vipers Playing In 2012 Savage Cup:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Aaron Schepers (Fort St. John Flyers), goaltender, Kirby Halcrow (Fort St. John Flyers) & forward, Brad Preistlay (Powell River Regals) will play in the 2012 Savage Cup starting today in Powell River in the best of 5 series. The entire series will be played in Powell River at the Hap Parker Arena. The winner of this series will move into the McKenzie Cup.

Aaron Schepers played one season in Vernon (2004-2005) before being traded the following season to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. In 44 regular season games with the Vipers Schepers collected (5-4-9).

Aaron Schepers Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83862

Kirby Halcrow played parts of the past two seasons in Vernon (2010-2012) after coming over in a trade with the Quesnel Millionaires back on December 1st 2010 for defenceman, Elliot Richardson & goaltender, Bryton Udy & future considerations. In 66 regular season games with the Vipers Halcrow went (34-30-2) with two shutouts.

Kirby Halcrow's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=134744

Brad Preistlay played one season in Vernon (1999-2000) before leaving the Vipers during the season for the WHL Portland Winterhawks. In 47 regular season games with the Vipers Preistlay collected (2-10-12).

Brad Preistlays Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=55412

All games will be broadcast live on Fort St Johns Moose FM, which can be found online at,

http://www.energeticcity.ca/moosefm  

Games 1 and 3 are subject to change due to scheduling conflicts with the BCHL's Powell River Kings playoff schedule.

Game 1 Thursday, March 22nd
Game 2 Friday, March 23rd
Game 3 Saturday, March 24th
Game 4 Sunday, March 25th
Game 5 Monday, March 26th

Game 1

Game time will now be approximately 9:00 PM following the Powell River Kings BCHL Playoff game. The pre game show will begin 15 minutes prior to puck drop.

Game 3

Game time will now be 5:00 PM with a pre game show at 4:45 PM. The Powell River Kings will then play a BCHL Playoff game at 8:00 PM

For more on either teams you can visit both teams websites,

Fort St. John Flyers

http://www.fsjflyers.ca/

Powell River Regals

http://www.powellriverregals.ca/index.html

Panthers Send Former Vipers Defenceman Tyson Strachan Back To AHL:

The Florida Panthers have sent former Vernon Vipers defenceman, Tyson Strachan to the AHL San Antonio Rampage. Strachan played just one season in Vernon (2002-03) collecting (6-22-28) in 56 regular season games with the Vipers, before playing four years at Ohio State University. Strachan was drafted by Carolina in the fifth round (137th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Strachan signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers back in July after playing the last four seasons with the AHL Peoria Rivermen & the NHL St. Louis Blues.

Tyson Strachan's Player Profile:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=72630

This is posted on the Rampage website:

Panthers return Strachan to Rampage

By: www.sarampage.com

Florida Panthers Executive Vice President & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has returned defenseman Tyson Strachan to the San Antonio Rampage (AHL).

Strachan, 27, has appeared in 35 games with the Rampage this season totaling three goals and nine assists with a plus-2 rating. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound blueliner has played in 177 career AHL games and totaled 11 goals and 43 assists with Albany (2006-07), Peoria (2009-10) and San Antonio (2011-12).

A native of Melfort, Saskatchewan, Strachan has played in 15 games with the Panthers this season posting one goal and two assists with a plus-1 rating and averaging 14:20 of ice time. He made his Florida Panthers debut on Jan. 24 vs. Philadelphia and registered his first Panthers point, an assist, on Feb. 1 vs. Washington. He scored his first National Hockey League goal on Feb. 12, in Florida’s 4-1 victory against the New York Islanders.

For his career in the NHL, Strachan has appeared in 82 games with St. Louis (2008-11) and Florida (2012), scoring one goal with eight assists and 87 PIM. He was drafted by Carolina in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

The Rampage host back-to-back KZEP Dollar Dink Nights this Friday against Abbotsford and Saturday vs. Rockford at 7 p.m. at the AT&T Center. Saturday night is also Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader night in which America’s Sweethearts will perform during both intermissions and will sign autographs from 6-7 p.m. in the Bud Light Courtyard. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased by calling a Rampage representative at 210.444.5554 or online at sarampage.com.

Duncan Wray Post-Game Interview:

I usally post these videos within a few days after the game, but I couldnt find it until the other day, so this is why I am posting this so late. Vernon Vipers colour commentator, Don Klepp interview's Vernon Vipers owner, Duncan Wray after the Vipers defeated the visiting Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4-3 in overtime in the Vipers final home game of the season. (Friday, March 9th)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhHBILCRm44&feature=player_embedded