Logan Mick Listed On Oil Kings Prospects List:

Alan Caldwell over at small thoughts at large (WHL Blog) has posted every WHL team's 2012-13 prospects list. This only include players who were not WHL regulars last year. If a kid played more than 20-30 games or so in the WHL last year, he's not on these lists.

The WHL Edmonton Oil Kings have Vernon Vipers "AP" forward Logan Mick as one of thirty seven players listed on their 2012-13 prospects list. Mick played with the Pursuit of Excellene last season but also was an "AP" with the Vernon Vipers last season. In 1 regular season game with the Vipers Mick went pointless.

Logan Mick's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=305111&playerID=841696

Smoke Eaters Aquire Former Viper Try-Out Alex Holland:

The Trail Smoke Eaters have aquired former Vernon Vipers tryout forward Alex Holland from the Penticton Vees Tuesday . Holland attended the Vipers 2011 training camp but was released before signing with the Victoria Grizzlies. In 60 games with the Grizzlies last year Holland collected (17-17-34). 

Alex Holland's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339734&playerID=823090

This is posted on the Smoke Eaters website:

Smokies Snag Two Vets In Trade
 
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 - Submitted by Chris Wahl

TRAIL -- The Trail Smoke Eaters have completed a trade with the Penticton Vees involving three players.

Trail has traded the rights to forward Sam Mellor (92) to the Vees in exchange for forward Alex Holland (92), defenseman Djordje Leposavic (92), and future considerations. Mellor, a native of Cranbrook, BC, scored 130 points in two BCHL seasons with Trail but played last season at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

Holland, a 5-foot-11 forward from Woburn, Massachusetts, is coming off a rookie BCHL season in which he tallied 17 goals and 34 points with the Victoria Grizzlies. Holland has committed to NCAA Division I Merrimack University for the 2013-14 season.

Leposavic, a 6-foot-1, 188-pound defenseman from New Westminster, BC, spent last season with the NOJHL’s North Bay Trappers, scoring 32 points (9-23) during the regular season and adding 10 more (3-7) in 16 playoff games. He was named to the NOJHL’s Second All-Star Team.

The Smoke Eaters would like to welcome Alex Holland and Djordje Leposavic to the organization and thank Sam Mellor for his contributions to the club.

Viper Season Taking Shape:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Viper season taking shape

Published: July 29, 2012

The Vernon Vipers will battle an unfamiliar foe when they open their B.C. Hockey League exhibition schedule on Saturday, Aug. 25 at Wesbild Centre.

The Snakes, whose main camp starts Aug. 23, will start the preseason by hosting the NAHL Wenatchee Wild.

After that, it’s a home-and-home with the West Kelowna (formerly Westside) Warriors – Monday, Aug. 27 at Wesbild, and Tuesday, Aug. 28 at Royal LePage Place.

The preseason wraps up with another doubleheader against Troy Mick’s Salmon Arm SilverBacks, the first leg going Friday, Aug. 30 at the Shaw Centre. The teams battle again Saturday, Sept. 1 at Wesbild.

All 16 BCHL teams will open their regular seasons in Chilliwack for the league’s first-ever Showcase Tournament at Prospera Centre.

Vernon will tangle with the defending RBC Cup Champion Penticton Vees Saturday, Sept. 8, followed by a Sunday morning tilt against the reigning Coastal Conference champion Powell River Kings.

The Snakes return to the Okanagan for a home-and-home against the ‘Backs, starting Friday, Sept. 14 in Salmon Arm. Vernon’s home opener is Saturday, Sept. 15.

All but nine of Vernon’s 56 regular-season games (down from 60 the year before) fall on either a Friday or Saturday. Anomalies for home games include Wednesday-nighters against the Merritt Centennials on Oct. 17 and the Trail Smoke Eaters on Jan. 9, a Thursday-night tilt against the Smokies on Dec. 6, and a Sunday 4 p.m. matinee with the Victoria Grizzlies on Feb. 10 (All other Viper home games are 7 p.m. puck drops).

n Meanwhile, the Vipers are looking for sponsorship and players for their inaugural Charity Golf Tournament for KidSport, which goes Sunday, Aug. 26 at The Rise.

Entry fee for the 18-hole scramble is $150 and includes golf, power cart, dinner, tee gift and prizes. There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start.

Entries and sponsorship at several levels are required. Interested parties may call Ranger at 250-545-7425, or e-mail lee.ranger@therise.ca, or Vipers’ marketing manager Paula Coulter at 250-542-6022 ext. 200, or marketing@vipers.bc.ca.

Roosters Sign Former Viper Alex Nikiforuk:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Alex Nikiforuk has signed with the DEL Iserlohn Roosters from Germany.  Nikiforuk played the last two seasons in Italy with the Valpellice Bulldogs.  Nikiforuk played one season as an "AP" with the Vipers (1999-2000) before being traded the following season to the Burnaby Bulldogs.  In just 6 games with the Vipers Nikiforuk collected (0-2-2).

Alex Nikiforuk's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=74700

This is posted on the Roosters website:

Nikiforuk wechselt ein Bastelraum Iserlohner Seilersee

03.07.2012:

Iserlohn – The Iserlohn Roosters from the German hockey league (DEL) have taken an other forward for the coming season under contract. From the Italian series A club from Valpellice the Canadian Alex Nikiforuk changes to the ropemaker's lake. He signed an annual contract. „ Alex is an incredibly quick, technically strong forward who wants to use his chance, in the DEL are able to be to point “, according to manager Karsten Mende.

Nikiforuk began his career in 2003 in the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the NCAA and developed there to a reliable Skorer of his team. His engagement and his working readiness provided for the fact that he was determined in the team's council and later for the assistance captain of his college team. After his university time changed the agile Canadian who never became gedrafted, on council of his manager to Europe and decided on an engagement at Finnish élite league club SaiPa from Lappeenranta. Later in the year it pulled him to the DEL club to Wolfsburg, before he came about the stopover in the Danish Herning to Italy. First in Pontebba, last two years in Valpellice, advanced Nikiforuk to a reliable Skorer of his team and always belonged to the best players of the Italian élite league.

„ We know that we have obliged a player who must learn to assert itself in our league “, according to coach Doug Mason. The Canadian still knows that his compatriot from North Vancouver has real Torjägerqualitäten and is already adapted to the ice surface in Europe and the changed living conditions very well. „ Alex will slave away up to falling down and us hopefully quickly his gate hunter-Näschen prove. “

Former Vipers Defenceman Nycholat Makes 2012 ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Dan Nycholat made the 2012 ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team.  Nycholat finished his first season (2011-12) at Dartmouth College, collecting two assists and 15 penalty minutes in 25 games before signing a amateur try-out (ATO) with the ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers back on March, 16th 2012. Nycholat went pointless in four regular season games with Las Vegas before being released. 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 Big Green website:

Men's Hockey Lands 17 on ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team 
      
Release: 06/25/2012

Official ECAC Hockey Release 

HANOVER, N.H. - The Dartmouth men's hockey program saw 17 student-athletes from this past season earn ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team honors for 2011-12.

Players are eligible for the all-academic team if they earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or have a GPA over 3.00 over the past three semesters.

Four seniors and recent graduates were honored with spots on the team for the fourth time in their careers. Doug Jones (Marietta, Ga.), Paul Lee (Garden City, N.Y.), Troy Mattila (Rockford, Ill.) and Nick Walsh (Shannonville, Ontario) each were recipients of the league's academic honor in every season they played in a Dartmouth sweater.

Senior and alternate captain Jim Gaudet (Etna, N.H.) earned the distinction for the third time along with classmate Kyle Schussler (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and junior Alex Goodship (Blackfalds, Alberta).

Big Green players earning the academic recognition for the second time include senior goaltender Jody O'Neill (Nepean, Ontario), junior Jason Bourgea (South Burlington, Vt.) as well as sophomores Matt Lindblad (Winnetka, Ill.) and goalie Cab Morris (Wilmette, Ill.).

Six players were also honored for their work away from Thompson Arena and in the Dartmouth College classrooms for the first time this season. Senior Dan Nycholat (Calgary, Alberta) wrapped up his lone campaign in the Green and White with a spot on the team, while a contingent of freshmen players were also recognized.

First-year student-athletes Jesse Beamish (Mississauga, Ontario), Billy Fitzgerald (Milton, Mass.), Charlie Mosey (Prior Lake, Minn.), Eric Neiley (Warminster, Pa.) and Andy Simpson (Chesterfield, Mo.) all made the league academic honor roll in their first year in Hanover.

In all, Dartmouth's 17 names on the men's list were part of 208 student-athletes from across the league's 12 institutions to be recognized.

Sanford Listed On Tigers Prospects List:

Alan Caldwell over at small thoughts at large (WHL Blog) has posted every WHL team's 2012-13 prospects list. This only include players who were not WHL regulars last year. If a kid played more than 20-30 games or so in the WHL last year, he's not on these lists.

The WHL Medicine Hat Tigers have Vernon Vipers "AP" forward Cole Sanford as one of thirty six players listed on their 2012-13 prospects list. Sanford played his first season with the KIJHL Revelstoke Grizzlies last year but also was an "AP" with the Vernon Vipers last season. In 8 regular season games with the Vipers Sanford went pointless.  Sanford has signed a WHL education contract or otherwise committed to the WHL by playing preseason games.

Cole Sanford's Player Profile:

http://eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=101594

Gladiators Make Qualifying Offer To Former Viper Defenceman Cody Brookwell:

On Monday July, 2nd the ECHL released the list of players who received a valid qualifying offer from ECHL teams by the July 1 deadline.  Players who had already signed a contract by July 1 did not need to receive a qualifying offer.  The Gwinnett Gladiators have extended qualifying offers to seven players for the 2012-2013 season.  One of is former Vernon Vipers defenceman Cody Brookwell.

Gwinnett Gladiators Qualifying Player List:

Dallas Jackson, Cody Brookwell, Joey Haddad, Tyler Murovich, Evan Rankin, Chris Clackson and Bryan Brutlag.

Brookwell was recruited by the Vipers but only played in four regular season games during the 2004-05 season before being traded in early October of 2004 to the Williams Lake Timberwolves. Brookwell played two seasons in Williams Lake before playing the next four seasons at the University of Denver. Brookwell is in his second season with the Gladiators, In 63 regular season games this year with the Gladiators Brookwell collected (4-11-15). Brookwell went pointless in four playoff games these ECHL playoffs.

Cody Brookwell's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83868

This is posted on the Gladiators website:

Qualifying Offers Extended

Monday, July 02, 2012

The Gwinnett Gladiators have extended qualifying offers to seven players for the 2012-2013 season. Gwinnett qualified the following seven players: Dallas Jackson, Cody Brookwell, Joey Haddad, Tyler Murovich, Evan Rankin, Chris Clackson and Bryan Brutlag.

Jackson led all Gladiators defensemen in scoring in the 2012-13 season. He earned 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists) in 62 games last season with Gwinnett. Jackson earned two call-ups to the American Hockey League where he earned one assist in five games between Lake Erie and Bridgeport.

Brookwell completed his second professional season with Gwinnett last year. He had a career best 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 63 games with the Gladiators. Brookwell notched seven points (two goals, five assists) in 48 games with the Gladiators in his rookie campaign in 2010-11.

Haddad split time last year between the Gladiators and the AHL. he notched 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 43 games with the Gladiators. He had one goal in 11 games with Hamilton of the AHL and skated in eight games with Bridgeport of the AHL last season.

Murovich finished third in scoring on the Gladiators last season. He tallied 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 71 games for the Gladiators last season. In his rookie campaign in 2010-11, Murovich split time with four different clubs in the ECHL and the AHL. He earned 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 34 ECHL games with Reading and Wheeling and had four points (two goals, two assists) in 27 AHL games with Springfield and Wilkes-Barre.

Gwinnett acquired the rights to Rankin in a three way deal from the Toledo Walleye via Utah on January 19th. In 15 games with Toledo last season, Rankin notched 18 points off of 10 goals and eight assists. He also earned 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 35 AHL games with Rochester.

Chris Clackson split time between the Gladiators and the AHL with Houston and Rochester last season. He earned 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 31 games with the Gladiators. With Rochester and Houston, Clackson posted one goal and one assist for two points in 29 AHL games.

Brutlag ranked first in scoring among Gwinnett rookies last season with 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 65 games with Gwinnett. He was one of just two 20 or more goal scorers with the Gladiators last year. The Lakeville, Minnesota native skated in eight games with the eventual Calder Cup Champion Norfolk Admirals last season but did not register a point while in the AHL.

Players who had already signed a contract by July 1 did not need to receive a qualifying offer.

Each team was entitled to reserve the rights to a maximum of eight qualified players. Of the eight qualified players, no more than four could be veterans (260 regular season professional hockey games played as of the start of the upcoming 2012-13 season). Players on open qualifying offers cannot be traded.

The qualifying offer must remain open for acceptance until Aug. 1 at which time the qualifying offer becomes null and void and the team may sign the qualified player to any salary or may elect to take no further action. Teams that extend a valid qualifying offer to a non-veteran player shall retain the rights to that qualified player for one playing season.

A team that extends a valid qualifying offer to a veteran player will retain the rights to that veteran until Aug. 1. After Aug. 1, if the veteran player is not signed to a contract by the team, the veteran shall be deemed a restricted free agent and shall be entitled to seek and secure offers of employment from other ECHL teams. Restricted free agents may not be traded. When a restricted free agent receives a contract offer from a team other than the team with the player’s rights and the restricted free agent wishes to accept the contract offer, the restricted free agent and the offering member must, within 24 hours, notify the ECHL, the team with the player’s rights and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association. The member with the player’s rights shall have seven days after the date it is notified to exercise its right to match the contract offer.

If a restricted free agent is not signed to either an offer sheet or a contract by an ECHL team by Aug. 31, the player shall be deemed an unrestricted free agent.

The Gladiators are the ECHL Affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League and are members of the ECHL, the Premier "AA" Hockey League and play all home games at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.

Vernon-Victoria Trade:

This is posted on the Grizzlies website:

GRIZZLIES TRADE ALEX HOLLAND TO VEES FOR DJ JONES

July 24, 2012 Victoria Grizzlies -

The Victoria Grizzlies are pleased to announce the acquisition of 1994 Forward Turner Lawson from the Vernon Vipers.  Turner is a versatile Forward with a strong work ethic and team commitment.  Turner was the future player to be named later in the Sean Robertson trade.

GM and Head Coach Bill Bestwick commented, "Turner is an outstanding team player with strong character and willingness to compete.  We are excited to have Turner join our team for the upcoming season."

Another player acquisition took place Tuesday in the form of a player for player trade with the Penticton Vees.  The Grizzlies traded 20 year old forward Alex Holland to the Vees in exchange for 20 year old defenseman DJ Jones. 

Jones will join former Vees teammate Zach Urban patrolling the blue line for the Grizzlies this season.

Bestwick commented, "The opportunity to acquire DJ was something we could not pass up.  He is a quality player on both sides of the puck with considerable upside on the offensive blue line, something we were definitely searching for.  DJ also plays with a competitive edge and to have two full time defensemen join the Grizzlies from the National Championship Vees gives us quality minutes on the blue line in experience and knowledge.

A press conference to announce next seasons Captain is planned for Thursday 12 noon at Bear Mountain.

Former Viper Twins Make 2012 ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team:

Former Vernon Vipers forwards Connor & Kellen Jones made the 2012 ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team.  The Jones twins finished their second season with the Bobcats. Connor and Kellen both played four years in Vernon (2006-2010). In 163 regular season games with the Vipers Connor collected (80-118-198) Connor also is the Vipers all-time franchise points leader (regular season & playoffs) with 228 & all-time franchise goals leader (regular season & playoffs) with 95. while in 154 regular season games with the Vipers Kellen collected (39-134-173). Kellen is also the all-time franchise assists leader (regular season & playoffs) with 150. Kellen was drafted 202nd overall by the NHL Edmonton Oilers in the 7th round of the 20010 NHL Draft.  Both Kellen & Connor attended the Edmonton Oilers development camp this past June.

Connor Jones Player Profile:

http://www.quinnipiacbobcats.com/sports/mice/011-12/bios/jones%20connor%20gczj

Kellen Jones Player Profile:

http://www.quinnipiacbobcats.com/sports/mice/2011-12/bios/jones%20kellen%20rmzy

This is posted on the Bobcats website:

Quinnipiac Men's Ice Hockey Places 21 On ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team

June 26, 2012

ECAC Hockey 2012 All-Academic Team

Quinnipiac Men's Ice Hockey Places 21 On ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team
Bobcats One of Four Programs To Feature 20 Players

ALBANY, N.Y. – Quinnipiac men's ice hockey was one of four league teams to place 21 student-athletes on the 2012 ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team, as announced by ECAC Hockey on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. The Bobcats join Brown and Yale, with 24 student-athletes, and Rensselaer with 22, as the only four programs out of the 12 member institutions to place 20 or more student-athletes on the honor roll.

Of the 208 student-athletes that landed on the team from the 12 member schools, 30 were honored for the fourth straight year. Of those 30 seniors, Quinnipiac's Yuri Bouharevich (Montreal, Quebec), Kevin Bui (Edmonton, Alberta), Dan Clarke (Belleville, Ontario) and Michael Glaicar (Kamloops, British Columbia) all collected their fourth honors of their careers. In addition, Ben Arnt (Oakdale, Minn.), Zack Currie (Victoria, British Columbia), Mike Dalhuisen (Nymegen, Holland), Spencer Heichman (Yorba Linda, Calif.) and Jeremy Langlois (Tempe, Ariz.) were honored for the third straight year.

Players are eligible for the All-Academic team if they earn a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale or have a GPA over 3.00 over the past three semesters.

Former Vipers Goaltender Hammond Won’t Give Up Goal:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender Andrew Hammond attended the Chicago Blackhawks development camp two weeks ago. Hammond who finished his third season with Bowling Green University played parts of two years in Vernon (2007-2009) after coming over in a trade with the Surrey Eagles during the 2007-08 season. In 52 regular season games with the Vipers Hammond posted a (33-15-1) record recording 6 shutouts.

Andrew Hammond's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=113948

This is in the Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper:

Blackhawks goalie prospect Andrew Hammond won’t give up goal

BY BEN MEYER-ABBOTT bmeyer-abbott@suntimes.com

July 12, 2012

Burnt out on hockey shortly after graduating from high school, Andrew Hammond considered quitting the game for a time.

Instead, the Surrey, British Columbia, native took a step back, and it was the key to taking the next step up.

“The team I was on at the time was having a lot of success, but kind of the fun component was taken out of it,” said Hammond, a goalie and undrafted free-agent invitee to the Blackhawks’ prospect camp. “I went back to a lower level where I knew the coach really well, and I started having fun again. It kind of turned on that burning desire for me, and I figured out hockey was what I wanted to pursue as a career.”

That pursuit took him to Bowling Green, where he underwent a baptism of fire during a winless freshman year before wresting the starting job away from an older goalie his sophomore season.

“He’s not willing to accept mediocre or just OK,” Bowling Green coach Chris Bergeron said. “He wants to be great, and to him, that’s not just about words. It’s about the willingness to do what it takes every day.”

That willingness is a trait Hammond has had ever since he got his start in goal as a kid playing street hockey with his older brother.

“My brother is about five years older, so when I wanted to play with him and his friends, the only way they’d let me is if I was in net,” Hammond said. “So he kind of put me out there and strapped the pads on me, and I just kind of started from there. It’s a funny way to get into it, but I’m glad it happened that way.”

Hammond will return in the fall for his senior season at Bowling Green, where he started every game as a junior. He had a 14-25-5 record but set the program record for minutes in a season to go along with a 2.73 goals-against average and .903 save percentage. Hammond also stopped the second-most shots in Bowling Green history.

At 24, Hammond is the oldest player at the prospect camp. That, coupled with the fact that he has gone undrafted, would suggest a likely career in the minors.

But Hammond, who said he always has been a late bloomer, isn’t interested in what others believe is his most likely career trajectory.
“It’s kind of been the story of my hockey career,” Hammond said. “I’ve kind of always been one of the older guys, whether it’s been looking for a scholarship or now looking to play in the National Hockey League. It’s just kind of been the way it’s gone for me. …

“[Others] very well may [count me out], I don’t know. No one has ever told me that. That’s up to them; if they want to do that, they can. I’m just here to play my game. It’s something that I’ve gotten used to and something I’m going to continue doing. I’m just going to keep working hard, and whatever happens, happens. My goal is to make it to the National Hockey League.”

Former Vipers Goaltender Bryton Udy Hanging Up The Skates?

Rumors going around some junior hockey message boards and blogs are that former Vernon Vipers goaltender Bryton Udy is hanging up the skates & goal stick and trading them in for a guitar.  Udy who started the 2010-11 season with the Vipers was traded along with defenceman Elliot Richardson to the Quesnel Millionaires on the December 1st BCHL card deadline for veteran goaltender Kirby Halcrow.  In 7 games with the Vipers Udy posted a (1-4-1 record) with a 3.33 GAA.  The Millionaires moved to Chilliwack to for the 2011-12 season where Udy went (10-9-2) with a 3.38 GAA.  I was unable to find any official word on Udy's retirement.

Bryton Udy's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=305115&playerID=688447&pos=G

Bryton Udy's Website:

http://brytonudy.com/

Bryton Udy & Madi Allen do a Chris Brown cover song (Yeah x3)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKwZN6fnmXo&feature=youtube_gdata

Bryton Udy does a great job on signing "Somebody like you"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aut_Ot742Q4&feature=player_embedded

Former Vipers Tryout Alex Holland Commits To Merrimack College:

Former Vernon Vipers tryout forward Alex Holland has committed to Merrimack College for the 2013-14 season.  Holland attended the Vipers 2011 training camp but was released before signing with the Victoria Grizzlies.  In 60 games with the Grizzlies last year Holland collected (17-17-34).  Holland will join former Vipers forward Mike Collins (2008-2010) & former Vipers defenceman Kyle Bigos (2007-2009).

Alex Holland's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339734&playerID=823090

This is posted on the ESPN website:

Woburn's Alex Holland commits to Merrimack

June, 8, 2012

By Scott Barboza | ESPNBoston.com

Former Woburn High hockey standout Alex Holland has committed to Merrimack College, The Eagle-Tribune's Mike McMahon reported on Thursday.

Holland will join the Warriors for the 2013-14 season and played last season with the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he posted 17-17-34 totals.

The forward helped lead the Tanners to a Super 8 appearance as as senior and is the second member of that team to gain a Hockey East offer, along with Casey Shea (UMass-Lowell). Holland scored 43 points during his senior season at Woburn, playing alongside his younger brother Danny.

 

Soleway & Renz Listed On Rockets Prospects List:

Alan Caldwell over at small thoughts at large (WHL Blog) has posted every WHL team's 2012-13 prospects list. This only include players who were not WHL regulars last year. If a kid played more than 20-30 games or so in the WHL last year, he's not on these lists.

The WHL Kelowna Rockets have Vernon Vipers forward, Jedd Soleway & Vipers defenceman Ryan Renz as one of fourty three players listed on their 2012-13 prospects list.  Soleway played his first season with the Vipers last year. In 58 regular season games Solway collected (13-12-25).  Renz is entering his third year with the Vipers played in 57 games last year collecting (1-19-20).

Jedd Solway's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339739&playerID=821199

Ryan Renz's Player Profile:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_profile.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&teamID=339739&playerID=568992

Vernon Vipers 2012-13 Schedule:

Vernon Vipers 2012-13 Exibition Schedule:

August

Saturday, August.25th vs Wenatchee
Monday, August.27th vs West Kelowna
Tuesday, August.28th @ West Kelowna
Friday, August.31st @ Salmon Arm

September

Saturday, September.1st vs Salmon Arm

Vernon Vipers 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule:

September

Saturday, September 8th Penticton @ Vernon (In Chilliwack)
Sunday, September 9th Powell River @ Vernon (In Chilliwack)
Friday, September 14th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
Saturday, September 15th Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Saturday, September 22nd Trail @ Vernon
Friday, September 28th Prince George @ Vernon
Saturday, September 29th Vernon @ Trail

October

Friday, October 5th Vernon @ Penticton
Saturday, October 6th West Kelowna @ Vernon
Friday, October 12th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
Saturday, October 13th Vernon @ Chilliwack
Wednesday, October 17th Merritt @ Vernon
Friday, October 19th Vernon @ Surrey
Saturday, October 20th Vernon @ Langley
Friday, October 26th Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Saturday, October 27th Chilliwack @ Vernon

November

Friday, November 2nd Nanaimo @ Vernon
Saturday, November 3rd Vernon @ Trail
Friday, November 9th Trail @ Vernon
Saturday, November 10th Surrey @ Vernon
Friday, November 16th Vernon @ Powell River
Saturday, November 17th Vernon @ Alberni Valley
Sunday, November 18th Vernon @ Coquitlam
Friday, November 23rd Vernon @ Penticton
Saturday, November 24th Penticton @ Vernon
Friday, November 30th Vernon @ West Kelowna

December

Saturday, December 1st West Kelowna @ Vernon
Thursday, December 6th Trail @ Vernon
Friday, December 7th Vernon @ West Kelowna
Saturday, December 8th Alberni Valley @ Vernon
Friday, December 14th Penticton @ Vernon
Saturday, December 15th Vernon @ Trail
Friday, December 21st Merritt @ Vernon
Saturday, December 22nd Vernon @ Merritt

January

Friday, January 4th Vernon @ Salmon Arm
Saturday, January 5th West Kelowna @ Vernon
Wednesday, January 9th Trail @ Vernon
Saturday, January 12th Powell River @ Vernon
Friday, January 18th Vernon @ Nanaimo
Saturday, January 19th Vernon @ Cowichan Valley
Sunday, January 20th Vernon @ Victoria
Friday, January 25th Vernon @ Penticton

February

Friday, February 1st Coquitlam @ Vernon
Saturday, February 2nd Salmon Arm @ Vernon
Tuesday, February 5th Vernon @ Merritt
Saturday, Feburary 9th West Kelowna @ Vernon
Sunday, February 10th Victoria @ Vernon
Friday, February 15th Vernon @ Merritt
Saturday, February 16th Cowichan Valley @ Vernon
Friday, February 22nd Vernon @ Salmon Arm
Saturday, February 23rd Langley @ Vernon
Tuesday, February 26th Vernon @ West Kelowna

March

Friday, March 1st Vernon @ Prince George
Wednesday, March 6th Vernon @ Merritt
Friday, March 8th Penticton @ Vernon
Saturday, March 9th Merritt @ Vernon

Viper Duo Firms Up College Teams:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Viper duo firms up college teams

Published: July 18, 2012

A pair of Vipers have committed to attend post-secondary institutions for the 2012-2013 hockey season.

Net detective Kirby Halcrow and forward Ben Gamache, both 21, aged out with the Vipers.

Gamache, who pocketed eight goals and 23 points in 27 games with Vernon after being obtained in a trade with the AJHL Okotoks Oilers, will play for Hobart College, a highly touted NCAA Division III program located in upstate New York.

Gamache, who hails from Longlac, Ont., will become Statesman teammates with BCHL grad Lino Chimienti (goalie, Merritt Centennials).

Halcrow, who was 24-26-1 with a 3.01 GAA last year in Vernon, will play for Portage College Voyageurs in Lac La Biche, Alta. The Voyageurs are in the ACAC.

Halcrow, a Grand Prairie product, will look to be the Portage starting goaltender in the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, the Vipers’ inaugural charity golf tournament for KidSport goes  Sunday, Aug. 26 at The Golf Club at The Rise, who are running the tourney alongside the Vipers.

Entry fee is $150 which includes golf, power cart, dinner tee gift and prizes. There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start for the 18-hole scramble.

Call Lee Ranger at 250-545-7425, or e-mail lee.ranger@therise.ca, or Vipers’ marketing manager Paula Coulter at 250-542-6022 ext. 200, or marketing@vipers.bc.ca.

Vipers Open Regular Season Against Defending National Champs:

The BCHL released its 2012-13 regular season schedule last week.

The Vernon Vipers who missed the BCHL playoffs last season will open up the 51st BCHL regular season against the defending National Champion Penticton Vees Saturday, September.8th in Chilliwack at the leagues first BCHL Showcase.  The Vipers will open the regular season with there first two games at the Showcase (Vs Penticton & Powell River) before returning home for a home and home series with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks September 14th & 15th as former Vernon Laker and Viper Troy Mick will make his Silverbacks debut behind the bench facing off against his former club as the new head Coach-GM-Part Owner of the Backs.

-The Vipers will start the regular season with there first three games on the road before returning home for a three game home stand.

-The Vipers longest home stand of the season is a three game home stand vs (Salmon Arm, Trail & Prince George) In September & then another three game home stand in January vs (West Kelowna, Trail & Powell River).

-The Vipers longest road trip of the season is a four game road trip in November vs (Powell River, Alberni Valley, Coquitlam & Penticton) and then play another four game road trip in January vs (Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley, Victoria & Penticton).

-The Vipers play 2 Tuesday night games  (2 Away)

-The Vipers play 3 Wednesday night games  (2 Home-1 Away)

-The Vipers play 1 Thursday night game (1 Home)

-The Vipers play 22 Friday night games  (8 Home-14 Away)

-The Vipers play 24 Saturday night games  (14 Home-9 Away)

-The Vipers play 4 Sunday afternoon games  (1 Home-3 Away)

-The Surrey Eagles will make their first visit to the Wesbild Centre in two years on Saturday, November.10th

-The Powell River Kings will make their first visit to the Wesbild Centre in two years on Saturday, January.12th

-The Cowichan Valley Capitals will make their first visit to the Wesbild Centre in two years on Saturday, February.16th

-The Langley Rivermen will make their first visit in two years to the Wesbild Centre on Saturday, February.23rd

Halcrow & Gamache Commit To Post Secondary Schools:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

July,16th 2012

Press Release

For Immediate release:

July 16th, 2012

The Vernon Vipers hockey club is pleased to announce that Kirby Halcrow and Ben Gamache have committed to attend post secondary institutions for the 2012-2013 season.

Ben Gamache has committed to play at Hobart College and will continue his hockey career there. Hobart College is a highly touted NCAA Division III program located in upstate New York. Gamache will become teammates with BCHL grad Lino Chimienti.

Kirby Halcrow has committed to attended Portage College and will also continue his playing career there. Portage College is located in Alberta and plays in the ACAC. Halcrow will look to be their starting goaltender in the upcoming season.

The Vipers would like to congratulate both players on this achievement and wish them continued success.

Former Vipers Goaltender Andrew Hammond Attends Blackhawks Development Camp:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender Andrew Hammond attended the Chicago Blackhawks development camp last week.  Hammond who finished his third season with Bowling Green University played parts of two years in Vernon (2007-2009) after coming over in a trade with the Surrey Eagles during the 2007-08 season. In 52 regular season games with the Vipers Hammond posted a (33-15-1) record recording 6 shutouts.

Andrew Hammond's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=113948

This is in the BCHL Newsletter:

Former Snakes stopper earns Hawks invite after stellar junior campaign

After three years at Bowling Green State University, Falcons netminder and Vernon Vipers alum Andrew Hammond finds himself on a team finally headed in the right direction.

But the struggle it took to get the Falcons program back on track has been a good showcase for the Surrey native and this week, he's at the Chicago Blackhawks development camp.

Hammond missed a chance to go to a Washington Capitals camp last summer after he sustained a shoulder injury. This year, he's one of three BCHL alums at Hawks camp along with former Powell River Kings Mat Bodie and Dan Carr.

"I talked to my advisor after the season and we agreed Chicago was a good place to come to," says the 24-year-old. "It's been great and I've had a great time here."

After fitness testing at the United Centre, the on-ice action has taken place at the Hawks practice facility at Johnny's IceHouse. Hammond has tried to make the most of the opportunity.

"I think I've done well; we've had two scrimmages so far and I've felt like I've played really well," says the 6-foot-1, 196-pound goaltender, adding Blackhawks standouts Dave Bolland and Patrick Kane have been spotted at the rink. "Today (Thursday) I played a period and we wound up winning."

On the hockey side of things, Hammond has taken everything in stride. The off-ice health checks have been extensive though.

"They're really making sure the players are healthy," says Hammond. "There's blood tests, EKG readings - it's more than I expected but it's been good."

Hammond got the invite to Chicago's camp after claiming each of the Falcons 14 wins last season. He also made the most saves in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association with 1,233 which was 61 more than his next closest competitor, Shawn Hunwick of Michigan.

"We've got a new coach (Chris Bergeron) who came on in my second year and there's a lot more money directed to the program now which is helping," says the sports management/business major. "It's become a real special place to me; we haven't lost a lot of players and we've got some good freshmen coming in. In the (Bowling Green) glory years of the 1980s they won a national championship and we're starting to build back towards that."

Friars Name Former Vernon Viper Kyle Murphy Captain:

The Providence Friars mens college hockey team has named former Vernon Vipers forward Kyle Murphy team captain for this coming season (2012-13).  Murphy played one season in Vernon (2010-11) In 58 games with the Vipers Murphy collected (18-24-42) was also named the Vipers Unsung Hero Award winner and Academic Excellence Award winner.

Kyle Murphy's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=43913

This is posted on the Friars website:

Men's Hockey Announces Team Captains

Kyle Murphy, Tim Schaller and Myles Harvey will serve as captains for the 2012-13 season.

June 14, 2012

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -

Providence College men’s hockey Head Coach Nate Leaman announced today that seniors Kyle Murphy (Fairhaven, N.J.), Tim Schaller (Merrimack, N.H.) and Myles Harvey (Orlando, Fla.) will serve as team captains for the 2012-13 season.

Murphy sat out the 2011-12 season after transferring from Notre Dame. During his freshman year at Notre Dame (2009-10), Murphy played in 17 games and then spent the 2010-11 season with the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League. While with the Vipers, he recorded 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in 58 regular season games as he earned Vernon’s Team Unsung Hero Award and Academic Excellence Award.

Schaller, who totaled seven goals in his first two seasons (67 games) at Providence, finished with a team-high 14 goals in 26 games as he battled through injuries during the 2011-12 season. He ranked third on the team with a career-high 21 points. In addition, he was named one of 21 semifinalists for the 60th Walter Brown Award, presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.

Harvey played in all 38 games last season and totaled career highs in goals (7), assists (10) and points (17). He finished second on the team with five power-play goals and led all PC defensemen in scoring. Harvey also was named Hockey East Player of the Week on October 17 after totaling three goals and leading the Friars to consecutive Hockey East wins to start the season.

The Friars, who are coming off the 2011-12 season in which they made the Hockey East semifinals for the first time since 2001, will begin the 2012-13 campaign on October 12 at home versus Sacred Heart.

Silverbacks Name Former Vipers Scout Rob Morphy Director Of Scouting:

This is posted on the Silverbacks website:

Morphy Named Director of Scouting
 
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - Submitted by Scott Campbell

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are pleased to introduce Rob Morphy as the Director of Scouting & Head Scout for the upcoming season.

Morphy currently resides in Kamloops and is certainly no outsider to the BCHL having spent several years as the former Head Scout for the Vernon Vipers where he and Mick won the 1999 Royal Bank Cup in Yorkton, SK. He also worked in the WHL with several organizations including the Chilliwack Bruins & Tri City Americans of the WHL.

“I’m very excited that Rob has agreed to join me in Salmon Arm as my Director of Scouting & Head Scout,” said Mick. “We have had a lot of successes together over the years and we look forward to doing it again with the Silverbacks.”

Morf as they call him has an incredible eye for talent and is very well connected in the hockey circles at all levels of play. His experience will be very valuable as we strive to win the RBC in Salmon Arm.

With today's announcement; Mick has now added two members to his hockey operations staff in one week with the recent hiring of new Assistant Coach Brandon West.

The SilverBacks would like to welcome Rob & Tammy and their 3 children to the organization and are looking forward to many successful years’ with a championship caliber team.

Former Vipers Defenceman Stachan To Nab Panthers Roster Spot:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Tyson Strachan is expected to claim one of the Florida Panthers final three roster spots for next season.  Strachan split this past season with the Florida Panthers and the AHL San Antonio Rampage.  In 50 games with the Rampage this past season Strachan collected (3-14-17) and in 15 NHL games with the Panthers Strachan collected (1-2-3).  Strachan played one season in Vernon (2002-03) collecting (6-22-28) in 56 regular season games with the Vipers.  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 2011 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 NBC Sports website:

Tyson Stachan to nab Cats' roster spot

June 30, 2012

Source: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

The Panthers have approximately three roster spots up for grabs next season and defenseman Tyson Strachan is expected to claim one of them.

He did a good job filling in when the Panthers lost Jason Garrison to injury last season and looks poised to be a staple on the Cats' blueline. That said, he does not have significant offensive upside nor does he contribute much in the penalty minute category. As a result, Strachan can be ignored during most drafts.

Andrew Hammond Vernon Vipers Jersey For Sale On Ebay:

Ebay currently has a game worn (2007-08) Vernon Vipers Andrew Hammond third jersey for sale. With three days left, the jersey is starting at $189.99  Hammond played two years in Vernon (2007-2009) after coming over in a trade with the Surrey Eagles. Hammond finished his third season with Bowling Green University this past hockey season.

Andrew Hammond's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=113948

To bid on the jersey,


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-08-Vernon-Vipers-Game-Worn-Goalie-3rd-jersey-BCHL-/221067349378?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item3378a40d82

Wings Add Former Viper Forward Dean Strong To Teams Season Ending Roster:

On Friday, June 15th the ECHL announced the Season-Ending Rosters as submitted by each of its member teams. The Kalamazoo Wings have nineteen players listed on their season ending roster list one of is former Vernon Vipers forward Dean Strong.

Kalamazoo Wings Season Ending Roster:

Patrick Asselin, Darryl Bootland, Joe Charlebois, Dustin Cloutier, Trent Daavettila,Sam Ftorek, Riley Gill, Jon Harty, Dwight Helminen, Eric Kattelus, Kory Karlander,Michael Matczak, Wes O'Neill, Elgin Reid, Nick Sirota, Dean Strong, Brandon Svendsen, Justin Taylor & Joe Tolles

Strong finished his third season with the Wings was also loaned twice to the American Hockey League this past season. In November Strong was loaned to the AHL Chicago Wolves before returning to Kalamazoo and then was loaned to the AHL Lake Erie Monsters on December 15th 2011, collecting (4-10-11) with the Monsters before once again returning to Kalamazoo after the Monsters missed the playoffs. In 21 games with the K-Wings this past year Strong collected (11-12-23) before going to the AHL. Strong played one year in Vernon (2004-05) collecting (35-56-91) with the Vipers during the regular season.

Dean Strong's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83858

This is posted on the Wings website:


K-WINGS ANNOUNCE SEASON-ENDING ROSTER

Kalamazoo Places 19 Players on Season-Ending Roster

June 15, 2012 - Mike Modugno

Director of Public Relations and Broadcaster

Kalamazoo, MI- The Kalamazoo Wings, proud member of the ECHL, three-time defending North Division Champions and National Hockey League affiliate to the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils and the American Hockey League’s Albany Devils, announce the club’s ECHL Season-Ending Roster.

Season-Ending Rosters may include up to 20 players. Season-Ending Rosters cannot include any players who did not sign an ECHL contract in 2011-12.

Each team is entitled to reserve rights to a maximum of eight players from the list of 20 by extending a qualifying offer no later than July 1. Of the eight qualified players, no more than four can be veterans (260 regular season professional hockey games played as of the start of the 2012-13 season). Players on open qualifying offers cannot be traded. Teams are not required to extend a qualifying offer to players who sign a contract prior to July 1.

The qualifying offer must remain open for acceptance until Aug. 1 at which time the qualifying offer becomes null and void and the team may sign the qualified player to any salary or may elect to take no further action. Teams that extend a valid qualifying offer to a non-veteran player shall retain the rights to that qualified player for one playing season.

A team that extends a valid qualifying offer to a veteran player will retain the rights to that veteran until August 1st. After August 1st, if the veteran player is not signed to a contract by the team, the veteran shall be deemed a restricted free agent and shall be entitled to seek and secure offers of employment from other ECHL teams. Restricted free agents may not be traded. When a restricted free agent receives a contract offer from a team other than the team with the player’s rights and the restricted free agent wishes to accept the contract offer, the restricted free agent and the offering member must, within 24 hours, notify the ECHL, the team with the player’s rights and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association. The member with the player’s rights shall have seven days after the date it is notified to exercise its right to match the contract offer.

If a restricted free agent is not signed to either an offer sheet or a contract by an ECHL team by August 31st, the player shall be deemed an unrestricted free agent.

This is posted on the ECHL website:

ECHL announces Season-Ending Rosters

June 15, 2012

PRINCETON, N.J. - The ECHL on Friday announced the Season-Ending Rosters as submitted by each of its member teams.

Season-Ending Rosters may include up to 20 players. Season-Ending Rosters cannot include any players who did not sign an ECHL contract in 2011-12.

Each team is entitled to reserve rights to a maximum of eight players from the list of 20 by extending a qualifying offer no later than July 1. Of the eight qualified players, no more than four can be veterans (260 regular season professional hockey games played as of the start of the 2012-13 season). Players on open qualifying offers cannot be traded. Teams are not required to extend a qualifying offer to players who sign a contract prior to July 1.

The qualifying offer must remain open for acceptance until Aug. 1 at which time the qualifying offer becomes null and void and the team may sign the qualified player to any salary or may elect to take no further action. Teams that extend a valid qualifying offer to a non-veteran player shall retain the rights to that qualified player for one playing season.

A team that extends a valid qualifying offer to a veteran player will retain the rights to that veteran until Aug. 1. After Aug. 1, if the veteran player is not signed to a contract by the team, the veteran shall be deemed a restricted free agent and shall be entitled to seek and secure offers of employment from other ECHL teams. Restricted free agents may not be traded. When a restricted free agent receives a contract offer from a team other than the team with the player’s rights and the restricted free agent wishes to accept the contract offer, the restricted free agent and the offering member must, within 24 hours, notify the ECHL, the team with the player’s rights and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association. The member with the player’s rights shall have seven days after the date it is notified to exercise its right to match the contract offer.

If a restricted free agent is not signed to either an offer sheet or a contract by an ECHL team by Aug. 31, the player shall be deemed an unrestricted free agent.