New Vipers Bring Big Game Smarts:

This was in the RBC Cup Newsletter:

New Vipers Bring Big Game Smarts

June 10th 2013

Four of the five players who came in trades for Adam Tambellini and Aaron Hadley at the trading deadline gained valuable experience in the post season this
past season.

Surrey's Jordan Klimek and Demico Hannoun and Nanaimo's Mike McNicholas and Josh Bryan all played well in the Western Canada Cup and the Surrey duo went on to play important roles at the RBC Cup. Hannoun's hat trick sparked Surrey to a 7-0 opening win over Truro. The slick winger showed some grit throughout the tournament as well.

Meanwhile, Klimek showed why Surrey Coach, Matt Erhardt, was reluctant to include the defenceman in the Tambellini trade. "He's very mature for a '95," said Erhardt after a practice at the Summerside
tourney.

Klimek, whose physique and playing style are very similar to Surrey all-star Devon Toews, says that he has tried to incorporate aspects of Toews's game: "he's so smart, seeing how the play develops. Also, he has a really good stick and is efficient in his
positioning. That's what I've tried to do, too."

Klimek, an offensive-minded player who quarterbacked Surrey's second-unit power play, is ready to accept a leadership role this year. One of the things he learned in the Surrey season was to "not look too far ahead. We set short-term goals and when we
achieved those goals, we set new ones. Also, when you get to the big games, especially in front of big crowds, you have to get rid of the nerves right away by getting pucks deep and handing out some big checks, and then take it from there."

Josh Bryan, a 20-year-old has three BCHL seasons under his belt. He has scored nine goals each of the last two seasons and is another candidate to man the point on the power play.

McNicholas, who hails from the California beach city of Manhattan Beach, likens himself somewhat to former Viper, Darren Nowick. "Speed and skill with the puck, that's the best part of my game," he says. Before getting injured in a January 6 game
vs. Prince George, he had 32 points in 35 games centering Greg Fraser and Kyle Kramer, Nanaimo's most productive line.

His broken ankle now anchored by "a plate and four screws," he says he's back to 100 percent healthy. He says he was "really excited" when he heard that he would get a chance to contribute to an RBC Cup team: "it's going to be a big year and I've heard good things about the city and the fans. I loved the intensity at the WCC and the RBC
should be even better!"