Corkey named new Viper captain
By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: May 13, 2012
The Vernon Vipers’ defenceman probably could have made the leap to the college game, but won’t be joining the NCAA Division 1 Colgate Warriors in Hamilton, N.Y. until after his 20-year-old season with the Snakes.
“Vernon’s a hard spot to leave,” smiled the easy-going Calgary product. “I could definitely benefit from another year.”
As Vernon’s newly named captain, he will be counted on heavily, both for his leadership and his ability to log major error-free minutes, to help his team regroup after it missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.
“We had high expectations going into last year, and we didn’t meet those by any means,” said Corkey, who turned 20 in April. “We have a long ways to go, but we still have the same goal when we made it to that last game (RBC Cup final in 2011).
“I’ve got big shoes to fill and I’ve gotta up my game another level from what it was last year.”
Before any thought of a cup quest can happen, Corkey must first rehabilitate from offseason surgery. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defender played pretty much half a season with a broken bone in his hand and still managed to record a pair of goals and 34 points in 55 games.
Head coach/GM Jason Williamson says it is Corkey’s dedication that made him the easy choice to succeed graduating captain Patrick McGillis.
“Kind of a natural fit,” said Williamson. “He wore a letter last year and he’s been through a lot with us. He’s won a (BCHL) championship, won a World Junior A Challenge (last November in Langley). He’s going to come back and command respect for what he’s been through.
“He’s done what’s asked of him, he’s played through injuries and he’s going to turn this ship around for us.”
Corkey had just underwent his procedure when the Vipers held their spring camp, but he put his amateur scouting skills to the work in helping assess the talent level.
“I saw a couple really good players there so I’m excited about the season with the players we’re bringing in and the guys we’ve got coming back,” he said.
Corkey will have the support of four other third-year players for the coming season – Aaron Hadley, Colton Sparrow, Ryan Renz and Max Mowat.
– The Viper blueline received another boost this week when Marc Hetnik said he will return for a second season with the Snakes.
Originally thought to be leaving to join the NCAA Boston University Terriers, Hetnik felt another year of seasoning in the BCHL would be better for his development.
“I decided it was in my best interest to come back,” said Hetnik “I felt like I never got the full experience, not making the playoffs.
“We’re going to have a good group of guys coming back. It’s something exciting to look forward to.”
Hetnik struggled to make an impact in the first half of his rookie season, but seemed to come into his own after the Christmas break, finishing with three goals for 17 points. He admitted living 3,000 miles away from home was a big adjustment.
“It was a different scene, really, and once I made friendships with everybody, I started to play to my ability. Once I felt that comfort level, things started to go my way.”
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