Vernon-Merritt Trade:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

Vipers Complete Trade

Friday, January 3, 2014 - Submitted by Vipers Staff

PRESS RELEASE

The Vernon Vipers have traded 20 year old defenceman Jason Bird and future considerations to the Merritt Centennials in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of 18 year old defenceman Dylan Chanter.

The Vipers must now complete a deal with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL where Chanter had been playing this season before he can officially join his new team.

Chanter who is from nearby Armstrong BC had spent the last two seasons in the BCHL with Merritt prior to joining Dubuque.  The 6’3 215 pound rearguard has secured a scholarship to the University of New Hampshire for next season.

Bird will join his third BCHL team after also spending time in Coquitlam.  The veteran defenceman was enjoying  a great offensive season with 5 goals and 18 assists in 35 games.

The Vipers would like to welcome Dylan to the hockey club and thank Jason for his contributions and wish him the best of luck in the future.

For more information please call the Viper office at 250-542-6022.

Dylan Chanter's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=123669

Jason Bird's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=62736

Dylan Chanter suffered a seizure during a fight back in a USHL game back in October,

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2459835/Hockey-player-Dylan-Chanter-seizure-fight.html

Chanter returned to the Saints lineup after his seizure,

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/hockey/juniors/2013/11/07/dylan-chanter-returning-from-seizure/3470613/

This is posted on the Morning Star website:

Vipers trade Bird to Cents
                       
Posted Jan 3, 2014

Morning Star Staff

The Vernon Vipers have traded 20-year-old defenceman Jason Bird and future considerations to the Merritt Centennials in exchange for the CJHL playing rights of 18-year-old defenceman Dylan Chanter.

The Vipers must now complete a deal with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the 16-team USHL where Chanter had been playing this season before he can officially join the Vipers.

Chanter, who is from Armstrong, had spent the last two seasons in the BCHL with Merritt prior to joining Dubuque.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder  has secured a scholarship to the University of New Hampshire Wildcats for next season. He has one goal and one assist, along with 21 penalty minutes, in 14 games with the Saints. Chanter pocketed 11 goals and 33 points in two full seasons with Merritt.

Chanter made headlines across North American after he was hurt in an Oct. 12 fight with Corey Petrash of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the corner behind the Dubuque net.

Chanter lost his balance and fell backward, hitting his helmetless head on the ice (dyed pink for a cancer promotion) and dislocating his left shoulder.

The crowd cheered until seeing Chanter begin to severely convulse. His full-body seizure lasted at least two minutes, as team trainers and the RoughRiders’ team doctor rushed to him.

He remained on the ice until paramedics arrived on the scene roughly 15 minutes later.

The incident sparked renwed debate on fighting in amateur and pro hockey.

Bird will join his third BCHL team after also spending time in Coquitlam.

The veteran defenceman was enjoying a great offensive season with five goals and 18 assists in 35 games.