Former Vipers Defenceman Urban Commits To Wildcats:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Zach Urban has committed
to the University of Northern Michigan.

Urban played one game as an "AP" with the Vipers during the 2010-11 season before bouncing around the league with five different teams (Penticton, Powell River, Victoria, Salmon Arm & Langley).

Zach Urban's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=97103

This is posted on the BCHL website:

Langley defenceman Urban signs on with Wildcats

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - Submitted by Langley Rivermen

The Langley Rivermen are proud to announce Zach Urban has accepted an NCAA Division I scholarship to Northern Michigan University.

The 20-year old just finished his final year in the BCHL, capping off an excellent career where he played in over 200 regular season and playoff games as one of the league's most reliable blueliners.  Winning the RBC Cup as a member of the Penticton Vees in 2012, Urban captained the Victoria Grizzlies to a division title the following year.

"I'm definitely happy that I finally know what I'm doing next year," said Urban, who started the 2013-14 season in Salmon Arm before the Rivermen acquired the veteran defenceman early this past season.

"The Hendersons brought me in and made me feel right at home and I couldn't have asked for a better place to play. We had a tremendous regular season and I know we didn't finish the playoffs the way we wanted but it was a heck of a year to go out on."

Urban had a major impact on the Rivermen and was a big part of the team's success winning the Mainland division and earning the Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy as the top team in the regular season.

While logging heavy minutes defending the Rivermen's own zone, Urban routinely contributed offensively putting up five goals and 18 assists in 58 games this season with another six points in 12 playoff games.

"I'm grateful he's getting a well-deserved Division I scholarship," said Rivermen Head Coach and General Manager Bobby Henderson. "Zach was one of our top defenceman, an absolute soldier for us every game.  He put everything on the ice every night."

Urban joins a solid program with an excellent coaching staff under Walt Kyle.

"It's a team that's competitve every year.  Walt does a great job developing players and this is an excellent fit for Zach," said Henderson.

"He has a great resume, he's coached professional hockey and I just feel it would be the best fit for my hockey career," added Urban.

Vernon's Country Connection With former Vernon Viper Chad Brownlee:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Chad Brownlee was a special guest at the 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon.  Brownlee sang at the RBC Cup awards banquet as well as the National Anthem before one of the Vipers games.  Here is a story on Brownlee done by Hockey Canada,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF3jLDPPLRk

Brownlee is a recipient of his first JUNO Award nomination back in February of 2013  Brownlee played two years in Vernon (2001-03). In 113 regular season games with the Vipers Brownlee collected (14-28-42). Brownlee was drafted in 2003 in the 6th round, by the NHL Vancouver Canucks but retired from hockey after a short stint in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with the Idaho Steelheads before becoming a Country music star.

Chad Brownlee's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=72703

For more on Chad Brownlee visit his website,

http://chadbrownlee.com/

Vernon-Merritt Trade:

This is posted on the Centennials website:

CENTENNIALS ACQUIRE LOGAN MICK (96) FROM VERNON

Thursday, May 29, 2014 - Submitted by Merritt Centennials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Merritt, BC - May 29, 2014

The Merritt Centennials are pleased to announce the acquisition of forward Logan Mick (96) from the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL which completes the future considerations in a previous deal for defenceman Dylan Chanter (95).

Mick, 17, brings over 100 BCHL regular season games experience to the Centennials lineup, which doesn't include 16 games of playoff experience and 4 games at the RBC Cup, which was held this May in Vernon.

“We are excited to add a player of Logan’s ability to our group. He gained tremendous experience this year in a long playoff run and playing at the RBC." said Cents GM & Head Coach Luke Pierce. "He plays with a lot of energy and brings a skillset that I believe is ready to breakthrough."

Logan is currently committed to Quinnipiac University for the 2015-16 season. His father, Troy, was a member of the Merritt Warriors in the 1984-85 season.

For further information, please contact Cents Head Coach and GM Luke Pierce at 250-378-3607 or email luke@merrittcentennials.com

Follow the Cents on Twitter at @BCHLCentennials and on Facebook.com/MerrittCentennials

Season tickets are still available for the 2014-15 season. For more information on how to get yours, call the Cents Marketing office at 250-378-3604.

The Merritt Centennials are heading in to the 42nd consecutive year, which is the BCHL's longest continuously run franchise, and are a non-profit, community owned Junior 'A' Hockey Club run by a dedicated team of investors, directors, and volunteers.

Logan Mick's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=120792

Vipers-Terriers RBC Cup Semi-Final Highlight's:

Here are the Vipers-Terriers highlight's from the RBC Cup semi-finals.  Yorkton won 6-3 advancing to the Royal Bank Cup Finals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krM23lzTvm8

Vipers Lose Robinson:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers lose Robinson

by  Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star

posted May 28, 2014

Dave Robinson will spend the summer working at Coldstream Ranch and pondering his future. Robinson, 24, has left the Vernon Vipers’ den after two years as an assistant coach with the B.C. Hockey League team.

He is a Vernon minor hockey product and former Viper captain.

“It is time for me to explore new options moving forward in my life,” said Robinson. “I would like to thank Duncan Wray, Jason Williamson and Kris Mallette, and the entire Vipers organization for the opportunity they have given me. I would also like to thank the fans of Vernon for all their support the last two years.”

The Vipers will just go with Williamson and Mallette as associate coaches next season.

“Dave was a Viper through and through,” said Williamson, also the Vernon GM. “He’s got to explore other options and now’s the time to do it. He brought passion as an assistant coach and I understand why he’s leaving. He’s 24 years old. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was 24. I didn’t want to see him go.”

Robinson joined the Vipers midway through the 2009-10 season from the WHL Chilliwack Bruins and helped Vernon claim the 2010 Royal Bank Cup in Dauphin, Man. He was captain the following season when the Vipers lost the 2011 RBC final, 2-0, to the Pembroke Lumber Kings, in Camrose, Alta.

“It’s all good,” said Robinson, whose late grandfather, Vern Dye, helped found the Vernon franchise and the B.C. Junior Hockey League. “I kept my focus in the RBC and kept my head and heart with the team. After it was over, I sat down and talked to my parents and decided it was time to move on.”

Robinson joined the coaching staff after one year of playing CIS with the University of Calgary Dinosaurs.

“Coaching’s something I can always go back to down the road.” The fearless winger rung up 43 points and 265 penalty minutes with Chilliwack and 75 points and 188 PIM with Vernon.

Meanwhile, the Vipers officially announced that winger Tyler Povelofskie has been sent to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs to complete the Craig Martin for Jared Wilson trade last fall.

“I told him that when you host a national championship, the price tag is going to be higher,” said Williamson. “He’s a terrific kid and I’d love to have him back, but I couldn’t do it.”

A 17-year-old Williams Lake product, the hard-hitting Povelofskie collected two goals, five points and 51 penalty minutes in the regular season.

Williamson still has to send future considerations to the Surrey Eagles to complete the deal for Brett Mulcahy.

Robinson Leaves Vipers:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

Robinson Steps off the Bench

Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - Submitted by Vipers Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club would like to announce that assistant coach David Robinson has resigned.  Dave has been with the club for the last two seasons as an assistant coach and has decided to pursue other options at this time.

“It is time for me to explore new options moving forward in my life. I would like to thank Duncan Wray, Jason Williamson, and the entire Vipers organization for the opportunity they have given me. I would also like to thank the fans of Vernon for all their support the last two years!” says David Robinson.

Head Coach and GM Jason Williamson says “Dave was a pleasure to work with the past two years. He brought a lot to our organization with his passion and love of the game. I would like to thank him for everything he has done while a member of our organization.”

The Vipers wish Dave all the best in his future endeavours. For further information please contact the Vipers office at 250 542 6022 

Former Viper Van Teeling Collects Hardware At Kings Awards Banquet:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Mitch
Van Teeling Most collected some hardware at the MJHL Dauphin Kings year end awards banquet.  Van Teeling was named Most popular on & off the ice, Outstanding character player award & the Dave Seeley Memorial award for Community Involvement.

Van Teeling has played parts of the past four seasons with the MJHL Dauphin Kings.  Van Teeling the Kings captain started last season with the MJHL Virden Oil Capitals before being traded to Vernon on September, 4th 2012 for Brendan Persley and Future Considerations. The Vipers traded Van Teeling to Dauphin on December, 1st 2012 for Future Considerations. In 25 games with the Vipers Van Teeling collected (2-goals-3-assists-5-points). In 13 games this season with the Kings Van Teeling collected (5-goals-3-assists-8-points).

Mitch Van Teeling's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=56615

This is posted on Christiam Laughland's Kings blog:

Kings Hand Out Yearly Awards

May 6, 2014

The Dauphin Kings held their Annual Awards Banquet Tuesday night at the Parkland Rec Complex as part of the team’s send off to the 2014 RBC Cup.

Most Popular On & Off The Ice (Voted by the Media)

Mitch VanTeeling

Outstanding Character Player Award

Mitch VanTeeling + Brent Wold

Most Gentlemanly Player – Steve “Boomer” Hawrysh Memorial Award

Brayden Cuthbert + Dylan Butler

Most Inspirational Player – Johnny Kay Award (Voted by the Players)

Brent Wold + Justin Valentino

Leading Scorer – Black’s Cycle & Sporting Goods Award

Dylan Butler

Hardest Working Player – Steve Antosko Memorial Award

Brent Wold

Most Improved Player – Dave Snitka Memorial Award

Tyler Garrioch

Best Defensive Player – Barry Trotz Award

Brent Wold + Tanner Butler

Rookie of the Year – Dauphin Minor Hockey

Cameron Whyte

Best Defenceman – Joe Dawson Memorial Award

Tanner Butler + Ryan Cooper

Most Valuable Player – Pepsi Cola Award

Brent Wold + Tanner Butler

Community Involvement – Dave Seeley Memorial Award

Mitch VanTeeling

Most Valuable Playoff Performer – Dauphin Kings Award

Brent Wold + Dylan Butler

Vipers-Canadians RBC Cup Highlight's:

Here are the highlight's from the Vipers opening game at the Royal Bank Cup.  Vernon lost 3-2 to the Carleton Place Canadians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OxXqnDnCas

Vipers "Future Considerations"

During the Royal Bank Cup alot of rumors were going around Kal Tire Place that the Vipers had to owe some teams "future considerations" and other teams owed Vernon "future considerations" from trades earlier in the season. 

The Morning Star newspaper stated this past week that the Vipers owe the Surrey Eagles two players for the Brett Mulcahy trade from January, and on Thursday the Vipers sent rookie forward Tyler Povelofskie to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs as part of the future considerations in the Jared Wilson trade from October. 

You have to wonder are the Vipers finished trading?  Will we see more players sent to other teams as "future considerations" from trades this past season? Or will we see other teams sending the Vipers "future considerations" from trades that happened through last season?

I went through the BCHL website going through all the Vipers trades from the start of this past season.  Here is a full list of Vernon's trades that took place through out last season.   

01-Jun-13 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the playing rights of Geoff Crisfield (93)(D) to the Spruce Grove Saints Hockey Club of the AJHL in exchange for future considerations.

08-Jul-13 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club transfers the CJHL playing rights of Braeden Russell(93)F) to the Powell River Kings Hockey Club in exchange for Future Considerations

24-Jul-13 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club has traded the CJHL playing rights of Liam Board(93)(F) to the Georgetown Raiders Hockey Club of the OJHL in exchange for Future Considerations.

04-Sep-13 The Coquitlam Express Hockey Club have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Bryce Eviston(94)(D) from the Vernon Vipers in exchange for future considerations

25-Sep-13 The West Kelowna Warriors Hockey Club have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Spencer Morse(95)(D) from the Vernon Vipers in exchange for future considerations

01-Oct-13 The Alberni Valley Bulldogs Hockey Club has transferred the CJHL playing rights to Jared Wilson(94)(D) to the Vernon Vipers Hockey Club in exchange for the CJHL playing rights to Craig Martin(95)(F) and future considerations

03-Oct-13 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club has acquired the CJHL playing rights to Josh Betinol(94)(F) from the North Battleford North Stars of the SJHL in exchange for future considerations

10-Oct-13 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club has acquired the CJHL playing rights to Michael Stiliadis(94)(G) from the Georgetown Raiders Hockey Club of the OJHL in exchange for future considerations

31-Oct-13 The Prince George Spruce Kings Hockey Club has acquired the playing rights of Michael Lovanna (94)(F) from the Vernon Vipers Hockey Club in exchange for future considerations.

04-Nov-13 The Vernon Vipers have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Chase McMurphy(94)(F) from the Calgary Mustangs of the AJHL in exchange for the CJHL playing rights to Josh Betinol(94)(F) and future considerations

11-Nov-13 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club has transferred the CJHL playing rights to Michael Stiliadis (94)(G) to the Dauphin Kings of the MJHL in exchange for future considerations

03-Jan-14 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Dylan Chanter(95)(D) from the Merritt Centennials in exchange for the CJHL playing rights to Jason Bird(93)(D) and future considerations

06-Jan-14 The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Brett Mulcahy(93)(F) and future considerations from the Surrey Eagles Hockey Club in exchange for the CJHL playing rights to Chase McMurphy(F)(94) and future considerations

Vernon Vipers - Eligible Returnees & Graduating Players:

Vernon Vipers Graduating Players:

Defencemen:

Josh Bryan "93" (Overage)
Dylan Chanter "95" (Committed to New Hampshire)
Jared Wilson "94" (Committed to RPI)
Ryan Renz "93" (Committed to Lake Superior State)

Forwards:

Colton Sparrow "93" (Committed to Alaska-Fairbanks)
Brendan Persley "93" (Overage)
Brett Mulcahy "93" (Committed to Holy Cross)
Michael McNicholas "94" (Committed to New Hampshire)
Liam Coughlin "94" (Committed to Boston University)
Demico Hannoun "95" (Committed to Michigan Tech)
Dexter Dancs "95" (Committed to Michigan)
Mason Blacklock "94" (Committed to Michigan Tech)

Goaltenders:

Austin Smith "93" (Overage)

Vernon Vipers Eligible Returnees:

Defencemen:

Riley Guenther "94"
Michael Statchuk "94"
Kenny Citron "95" (Committed to Colgate for 2015-16)

Forwards:

TJ Dumonceaux "94"
Logan Mick "96" (Committed to Quinnipiac for 2015-16)
Matty Saharchuk "95"
Tyler Povelofskie "96" (Traded to Alberni Valley on Thursday)

Goaltenders:

Danny Todosychuk "94"

Vernon Vipers Committed Players for 2014-15:

Forwards:

Blaine Caton "97"
Branden Wagner "96"
Derek Barach "95"
Jagger Williamson "98"

Former Vernon Lakers Hero Sylven Returns To Vernon:

It has been 24 years since Cam Sylven's overtime winner over the New Westminster Royals in the 1990 Centennial Cup, gave the Vernon Lakers their first national championship and put Vernon on the Junior A map. With the city hosting the 2014 RBC Cup, Sylven returned to the Civic Arena for a walk down memory lane.  Sylven was on hand for the Vipers first game of the RBC Cup last week to drop the puck for the opening ceremonies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFgDNk_4HFM

Vernon-Alberni Valley Trade:

This is posted on Hammers Bulldogs Blog:

BULLDOGS ANNOUNCE FUTURES FROM VERNON VIPERS

Thursday, May 22, 2014

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce today the future considerations component of the trade that saw defensemen Jared Wilson dealt to the Vernon Vipers last October for 95-born forward Craig Martin, 96-born forward Tyler Povelofskie and future considerations.

Povelofskie had a brief history with the Bulldogs, having been affiliated with the team during the 2012/13 season but committed to the Vernon Vipers in 2013/14 for a chance at the RBC Cup. In 2011/12, Povelofskie won a bronze medal with Team BC at the WHL U16 Western Canada Challenge Cup coached by current Bulldogs assistant coach Adam Hayduk.

"It took the Bulldogs a little longer then expected to get Tyler into a 'Dogs uniform," said Bulldogs head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. "He was a player we heavily recruited but ultimately lost out to Vernon because of a guaranteed chance for Tyler to compete for the RBC Cup," added Willison.

Tyler is a player that will provide a physical presence however he can also put the puck in the net - and he will get an opportunity to play more with the Bulldogs. With RBC Cup experience, Povelofskie will add a lot of young enthusiasm and leadership to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs next season.

As a 16 year old, Povelofskie was near a point-a-game pace with the Cariboo Cougars of the BC Major Midget League. He was the Cougars' assistant captain and quarterbacked the team's power play mid-season.

Welcome to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs family, Tyler.

Tyler Povelofskie's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=153007

McNicholas Named Player Of The Week:

This is posted on the BCHL website:

McNicholas finishes up season strong at RBC, takes POW nod

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 - Submitted by BCHL Media

Vernon Vipers forward Michael McNicholas has been named the BCHL Player of the Week for the week ending May 18, the league announced Monday.

McNicholas put up a goal and three assists to help the Vipers to the RBC Cup national semifinal. The native of Manhattan Beach, Calif. finished the tournament with two goals and four assists, good enough for a tie for second amongst all players at the event.

Honourable mentions this week:

Vernon D Josh Bryan: 2A

Vernon G Danny Todosychuk: 34 saves/37 shots, .919 sv%, 2.65 GAA

Vernon F Dexter Dancs: 2G, 2A

Vipers Move On After Loss:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers move on after loss

By Tyler Lowey - Vernon Morning Star

Published: May 21, 2014

The Vernon Vipers will clean out their lockers, say their goodbyes and move on with their lives today, four days after their hockey season ended in the Royal Bank Cup.

The Vipers will also keep digesting a 6-3 loss to the Yorkton Terriers in Saturday’s semifinals of the national Junior A tournament.

“It is gonna take some time,” said Viper head coach/GM Jason Williamson, Tuesday morning. “I did my best to put our best team on the ice and when you don’t win, it sucks.”

Williamson was rather numb as he took in Sunday’s final at Kal Tire Place.

“I went to the finals. I didn’t really follow it that closely because it was tough to watch. It looked like a tight game. It was great to see the crowd attendance. Vernon should be proud of the turnout for the tournament.”

The Vipers lose half their team through graduation and NCAA scholarships, and they owe two players off their regular roster to the Surrey Eagles in the trade for Brett Mulcahy.

“We are still in the process of figuring out what to send back,” said Williamson, who heads to Las Vegas as a guest coach at a Junior camp, June 17-21.

The Terriers derailed the Vipers’ quest for a seventh national title, getting two late empty-net goals.

“Not much you can say at this time, it’s disheartening to have our season end like this,” said  Williamson, moments after the loss.

Vipers’ goalie Austin Smith had been a rock leading up to the RBC Cup, but struggled with a 4.23  goals against average in the tournament. He allowed four goals on eight shots Saturday before being replaced by Danny Todosychuk.

“I think it was all the wear and tear catching up to him. He played every single minute in the playoffs and he has been dealing with a few injuries; it happens,” said Todosychuk.

Former Viper Chad Brownlee, a country recording artist, sung the anthem and had the 2,700 fans pulsating. Both teams came out of the gates jacked up; elimination hockey at its finest.

Batman and Robin wish they were as productive as Mulcahy and Colton Sparrow, who almost connected for a goal in the opening seconds.

Once again, the Vipers got into early penalty trouble. Tyler Povelofskie was in the box for roughing when captain Ryan Renz was called for a questionable hit to the head of ex-Viper Riley Hunt, giving the Terriers an extended powerplay.

With 20 seconds remaining in Renz’s penalty, Yorkton defenceman Tanner Lishchynsky opened the scoring, from Devon McMullen and Tyson Enzie, at 9:05. Lishchynsky had the entire net to shoot at, ripping it high blocker.

The Terriers struck again a minute later when Daylan Gatzke fooled Smith with a harmless shot from the point. Tayler Thompson drew the assist.

“Our game wasn’t what we wanted at times, but we played hard and had some bounces go our way,” said Terriers’ head coach Trent Cassan.

With 20 seconds remaining in Renz’s penalty, Yorkton defenceman Tanner Lishchynsky opened the scoring, from Devon McMullen and Tyson Enzie, at 9:05. Lishchynsky had the entire net to shoot at, ripping it high blocker.

The Terriers struck again a minute later when Daylan Gatzke fooled Smith with a harmless shot from the point. Tayler Thompson drew the assist.

“Our game wasn’t what we wanted at times, but we played hard and had some bounces go our way,” said Terriers’ head coach Trent Cassan.

Mulcahy lost in the RBC semifinal last year with the Surrey Eagles. With Lishchynsky in the box for slashing, Mulcahy tipped in a Jared Wilson blast. Michael McNicholas got the second assist, 15:47 into the first.

Mulcahy was overcome by excitement and let out a beastly roar that Mufasa, from The Lion King, would have applauded.

After a sluggish start to the tournament, the line of McNicholas, Dexter Dancs and Demico Hannoun picked up the pace over the last two games. McNicholas got his second goal of the tournament on the powerplay from Dancs and Mason Blacklock, 1:36 into the second, to tie it 2-2. McNicholas was named player of the game.

Vernon came close to taking the lead minutes later, but Terriers’ goaltender Kale Thomson snatched up a puck that was flirting with the goal line.

The Vipers killed Liam Coughlin’s roughing penalty when they got scored on again. It was Sparrow’s hand pass in the Terriers’ zone that brought the play back into the Vipers’ end.

The ensuing faceoff saw Dylan Johnson tip Chase Norrish’s point shot over the shoulder of Smith, as the Terriers regained the lead.

Chase’s twin brother, Brady, was named player of the game. Chase was at it again two minutes later as he  fluttered one over a screened Smith to give the Terriers a 4-2 lead, chasing Smith.

The goaltending switch ignited the Snakes, as Dancs scored 12:58 into the second, from Hannoun and d-man Riley Guenther.

The soft hands were on display as McNicholas and Hannoun patiently moved around defenders before they found an open Dancs,

The Vipers’ best opportunity in the third came on a late 5-on-3 powerplay.

“To be honest, it was fun. It’s why we play the game, down one in the playoffs, in front of a packed house. It just didn’t happen,” said Dancs. “They beat us.”

D-man Josh Bryan was teeing up shots from the point, Sparrow was grinding down low and McNicholas was finding the open man, but the puck just wouldn’t fall for the Vipers.

Thomson was always in perfect position, making 34 saves. Gatzke and Thompson added empty-netters, 25 seconds apart, in the dying minutes.

Monarchs Name Former Viper Bishop Fan Favorite:

The American Hockey League's (AHL) Manchester Monarchs had their year end awards banquet named former Vernon Vipers forward Hunter Bishop fan favorite.

Bishop is in his second season with the Monarchs, played in 57 games collecting (6-goals-9-assists-15-points).  Bishop missed the entire 2011-12 season with the American Hockey League Hamilton Bulldogs with an undisclosed injury.  Bishop spent last season between four teams (South Carolina Stingrays, Lake Erie Monsters, Rochester Americans and the Manchester Monarchs). 

Bishop played parts of three seasons in Vernon (2005-2008). Bishop left Vernon after two seasons and played in just four games at the University of North Dakota during the 2006-07 season before returning to Vernon during the Christmas break playing the remainder of the 2006-07 season playing his final season with the Vipers (2007-2008) before playing the next two years at Ohio State University. In 140 regular season games with the Vipers Bishop collected (93-84-177). On March 18th 2010 the Montreal Canadiens signed Bishop as a free agent to a two year contract. Bishop attended the Habs training camp for three seasons before being sent down to the American Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs.

Hunter Bishop's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=80970

This is posted on the Monarchs website:

2013-2014 Monarchs Award Winners

04/12/2014

AS VOTED BY THE MONARCHS PLAYERS AND COACHES

Ace Bailey Most Valuable Player Award - Jordan Weal

AS VOTED BY THE MONARCHS PLAYERS

Mark Bavis Unsung Hero Award - Andrew Campbell

AS VOTED BY THE MONARCHS CARE FOUNDATION

Monarchs Community Service Award - Andrew Campbell

AS VOTED BY THE FANS

Union Leader Fan Favorite Award - Hunter Bishop

AS VOTED BY THE MONARCHS BOOSTER CLUB

Manchester Monarchs Booster Club Player of the Year Award - Brian O’Neill

This was in the Union Leader:

Hunter Bishop Fan Favorite 2014 Manchester AHL

Monday, April 14, 2014

By IAN CLARK

New Hampshire Union Leader

Hunter Bishop, Union Leader Monarchs Fan Favorite, 2013-14

Monarchs clinch division, eye conference crown

The smile on Hunter Bishop's face said it all.

Manchester Monarchs second-year forward Bishop was named the Union Leader Fan Favorite award winner prior to Saturday's game against Portland. Bishop said he was surprised by the honor and couldn't stop smiling when he was talking about it.

"I'm honored. This is a hockey city and they know the sport so if they picked me as the fan favorite I'm pretty happy to hear that," Bishop said. "I've prided myself on being a guy that does things the right way and never taking a shift off and trying to give my best effort every night. I'm honored that the fans noticed and it's something I hope to continue throughout my career."

Bishop played in 55 games prior to Saturday night's tilt, scoring six goals with nine assists and a plus-12 rating. Because his numbers don't scream out for attention, Bishop said he was happy that the Monarchs fans noticed the other ways he contributes.

"If you look at my stat line, I'm not a top points guy. I might not always be on the scoresheet but hopefully fans can notice the other things I do on the ice and I guess they did," Bishop said. "It definitely feels good. It's nice to have the coaches approval and the teammates approval and for them to acknowledge how you play, but to have the fans who come in and spend their hard-working dollars to watch you play, if they respect my game that means a lot."

Bishop said the award is especially meaningful considering the talented players that have suited up in Manchester this season, including those currently with the parent club Los Angeles Kings.

"The one thing that sticks out the most to me is that this is one of the greatest hockey teams I've ever played on," Bishop said. "We've had so many great players through this room and we still have so many great players here now, whether they're with L.A. or still here. For the fans to pick me for this award, it takes me by surprise and I'm honored."

Bishop seems to have found a home in Manchester after bouncing around the AHL with Hamilton, Lake Erie and Rochester before joining the Monarchs last season.
 
Other honors: In addition to the Union Leader Fan Favorite trophy, the Monarchs also handed out several other awards during Saturday's Fan Appreciation Night.

The Ace Bailey Most Valuable Player award (voted on by the Monarchs coaches and players) went to Jordan Weal. The Mark Bavis Unsung Hero award (voted by the players) went to captain Andrew Campbell, who also won the Monarchs Community Service award (voted by the Monarchs Care Foundation).Brian O'Neill won the Manchester Monarchs Booster Club Player of the Year award.

JJ gets his break: Finally, after five years in the ECHL and another four in the AHL, and less than a month shy of his 33rd birthday, Justin Johnson made his NHL debut on Friday night with the New York Islanders in a 3-2 shootout win over New Jersey.

Known as an enforcer with a heart of gold, Johnson played three seasons with the Monarchs before joining Bridgeport this season. Johnson was a fan favorite and popular player in the locker room and the Monarchs players were excited for the man they called J.J.

And Johnson himself was understandably excited as well. Johnson logged 7:15 of ice time and collected three body checks on his stat sheet while playing in a game that featured legendary names like Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias and Martin Broduer.

"It was a thrill. Thrill, thrill, thrill, man," Johnson told his hometown paper the Anchorage (Alaska) News. "I didn't feel like my feet touched the ground all day. I got on the ice for warm-ups, and there's Jagr, there's Elias. I started stretching, and turned to stretch my oblique, and there's Brodeur. I was like, 'I guess we're doing this for real.'?"

Ian Clark covers pro hockey for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. His email address is iclark@unionleader.com.

Former Viper Van Teeling Awarded Insurance Brokers Association Of Manitoba Scholarship:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Mitch Van Teeling has been awarded this year’s Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba (IBAM)/MJHL scholarship.

Van Teeling finished his second season with the MJHL Dauphin Kings, started last season with the MJHL Virden Oil Capitals before being traded to Vernon on September, 4th 2012 for Brendan Persley and Future Considerations. The Vipers then traded Van Teeling to Dauphin on December, 1st 2012 for Future Considerations. In 25 games with the Vipers Van Teeling collected (2-goals-3-assists-5-points). In 13 games this season with the Kings Van Teeling collected (5-goals-3-assists-8-points).

Mitch Van Teeling's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=56615


This is posted on the MJHL website:

Kings’ Van Teeling awarded IBAM/MJHL Scholarship

May 2, 2014

Mitch Van Teeling of the Dauphin Kings has been awarded this year’s Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba (IBAM)/MJHL scholarship. The scholarship provides $2,000 towards post-secondary education.

“This is the third year IBAM has awarded this scholarship,” said IBAM Chief Executive Officer, David Schioler. “Mitch has shown he’s committed to making a positive impact in our community.

“The scholarship ensures that a young man will be able to pursue his post-secondary educational goals. Mitch was selected for his community involvement and citizenship, in addition to his excellence on the ice.”

Van Teeling, 20, is a three-year veteran of the MJHL and captain of the Kings. These days he and his teammates are busy trying to capture one of two RBC Cup berths available at the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup currently underway in Dauphin.

An honour-roll student at Vincent Massey High School in Brandon, Van Teeling plans to enroll in a CIS university this coming fall, planning to study Kinesiology with his sights set on a master’s degree in Biomechanics.

This past winter Van Teeling was a volunteer assistant minor hockey coach in Dauphin and has participated in local school events including ‘I Love to Read Month’.  He’s also dedicated much of his time working with a mentally challenged man in Dauphin.

“Mitch has provided great friendship and support to this individual,” MJHL Commissioner Kim Davis said Van Teeling’s off-ice involvement. “Mitch epitomizes what the MJHL is all about. He is a committed student-athlete and community volunteer. Our league promotes quality on the ice, combined with education. Thanks to IBAM for its support and promotion of our league.”

About IBAM:

The Insurance Brokers Association of Canada is a federation of 11 provincial and regional associations of property and casualty insurance brokers. Through its member associations, the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada represents approximately 34,000 insurance brokers in virtually every community across the country. Similarly, the Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba is an organization representing approximately 2,000 broker members from all communities across our province.

The Association’s efforts – always with the best interests of consumers in mind – is to ensure that insurance brokers remain the primary provider of insurance services in Manitoba.

Royal Bank Cup Final: Yorkton 4 Carleton Place 3 (Overtime)

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s RBC Cup Final game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's RBC Cup Final game as Yorkton defeated Carleton Place 4-3 in overtime at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Yorkton: Kale Thomson
Carleton Place: Guillaume Therien

1st Period: A pretty evenly matched period with not alot of scoring chances and very little hitting-intensity coming from both sides.  Anthony McVeigh opened the scoring giving Carleton Place a 1-0 lead at 9:26 But just six minutes later the Terriers would tie the game on a lucky goal.  Daylan Gatzke at 15:07 evened the score.  The Canadians outshot the Terriers 10-7.

2nd Period: Carleton Place took an early lead into the middle frame, Stephen Baylis at 4:12 gave the Canadians a 2-1 lead and just over six minutes later Andy Sturtz put Carleton Place up 3-1 at 10:34 Guillaume Therien was the busier of the goaltenders made some big saves keeping the Terriers off the board.  Again very little hitting and not alot of scoring chances.  Yorkton outshot Carleton Place 12-9.

3rd Period: Down two goals I the Terriers carried an edge in play at times and had the better of the chances.  Tha Canadians seemed to be sitting back at times and when with the puck in the offensive zone played more of a dump and chase style of game.  The Terriers with some late pressure would score twice in eight seconds to tie the game at two sending the Championship game to overtime.  Yorkton outshot Carleton Place 17-12.

Overtime:  Yorkton got off to a good start and really carried most of the play, getting some good opportunities.  The Terriers would get a powerplay but struggled after a huge penalty kill by the Canadians.  Carleton Place just couldnt seem to generate alot of pressure and was having troubles with the Terriers aggresive forecheck.  Derek Falloon down low would end the 2014 RBC Cup with the OT Winner giving the Terriers a 4-3 win at 15:01 Yorkton outshot Carleton Place 10-4.

Top Players: (Yorkton)

Chase Norrish again saw alot of minutes, played alot and was one of the better players playing today.  A very good defenceman.  Has played very well and looked strong all Tournament.

Brady Norrish another Yorkton d-man that saw lots of ice, really moves the puck well, sees the ice and jumps up into the play.  Has really played well and like his brother looked good most of the RBC Cup.

Derek Falloon (1 goal) Played a hard game, skates hard, not the biggest kid but battles and competes hard.

Brett Boehm (1 assist) Has played very well for the Terriers at Royal Bank Cup and had another strong game tonight.

Joshua Ellis was banging and crashing, played hard and competed all game.  One of the hardest working kids on the team, really goes all out every shift.

Kale Thomson (31 saves) Played well this evening, didnt have alot of action but made the saves when called apon.

Game Thought's: (Yorkton)

I didnt think the Terriers looked that great or played that well when the RBC Cup started last weekend but give this team credit, they got better as the Tournament went along, had some lucky breaks and bounces along the way and played very well in the last few games come away with their first ever National Championship.  One thing I really noticed about the Yorkton Terriers is they move the puck well, a hard working team with a strong and aggresive forecheck.  They dont quit and played hard all game.  Not very physical but play hard.  With just a few minutes left in the game I didnt think the Terriers were going to tie the game yet alone win the game.  Give these kids credit, they didnt give up and battled hard all night.  A very entertaining game with a great finish. 

Top Players: (Carleton Place)

Andy Sturtz (1 goal & 1 assist) Played very well over the weekend.  I didnt really see much in this kid through out the week but really elevated his play and game in the semi-final and then tonight's final.  Very quick-good skater, quick but yet soft hands is dangerous with the puck.

Luke Edwards (1 assist) I thought played very well all week for the Canadians.

Brett D'Andrea another player that played well and was good all Tournament.

Anthony McVeigh (1 goal) also played very well this week and was strong tonight.

Kelly Summers looked good, played well all game.

Guillaume Therien (42 saves) Kept the Canadians in tonight's contest at times was very good.  Dosnt give out alot of rebounds, good puck control. 

Game Thought's: (Carleton Place)

I thought most of the game was fairly even for the most parts but the Terriers did come on and carried the edge in play at times in the 3rd.  With not alot of great quality scoring chances through out the game for both teams Yorkton would tie the game with two quick goals late in the 3rd eight seconds apart.  You have to wonder how Carleton Place is less then three minutes away from their first RBC Cup loses in a heartbreaker in overtime.  The Candians were the biggest team at the Tournament really didnt use their weight in basically a non hitting afair.  Carleton Place just couldnt get much going offensively in overtime, a huge penalty kill and yet the Canadians had troubles in their own end.  You could just sence that the Terriers were going to eventually get the game winner.  Carleton Place is big but pretty slow moving the puck and clearing the zone.  I thought other then the Viper games the other games were all basically non-hitters.  This was a pretty quick game but not the same intensity-physical play compared to watching a BCHL game.  I found most of the RBC Cup games to be basically all the same other then the Viper games.  Great to see one of the bigger crowds at the Tournament tonight!  A ton of Yorkton fans in attendance! 

Scrathes:

Yorkton:

Sam Stormoen
Braden Lozinski
Zach Zadorozniak
Corwin Steevely
Cortlan Procter
Matthew Cox

Carleton Place:

Landon Gareau
Connor Merkley
Tyson Stewart
Brett Everson
Vinny Post
Andrew Dodson

Players of the Game:

Yorkton: Derek Falloon (1 goal)
Carleton Place: Andy Sturtz (1 goal & 1 assist)

For more on tonight's game visit Hockey Canada's website,

http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/game/show/7702473?referrer=1060585&subseason=142110

For more on tonight's game and the Yorkton Terriers visit Benny Walchuks Terriers blog,

http://bennywalchuk.blogspot.ca/

Vipers Driving For Seven:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers driving for seven

By Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star

Published: May 18, 2014

Dexter Dancs figured he was overdue to pull something big for the Vernon Vipers.

The big North Vancouver winger went sky-high Thursday night, recording the overtime snipe as the Vipers iced the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots 3-2 in a Royal Bank Cup round-robin showdown at Kal Tire Place.

The Vipers faced the Western champion Yorkton Terriers in the national Junior A hockey semifinal Saturday afternoon. Vernon, Yorkton and the Eastern Rep Carleton Place Canadians of Ottawa all finished the round-robin at 2-2. The Vipers placed second by virtue of a better goals for and against record in games between the group.

The West No. 2 seeded Dauphin Kings topped preliminary play and battled the Canadians Saturday at 6 p.m. The Kings had the choice of either the matinee or evening game.

The gold-medal game goes today, 4:30 p.m., live on TSN.  Vernon has won a record six national titles.

Dancs, voted the Vipers’ co-MVP a week ago, scored with 9:43 left in OT, beating Toronto goalie Evan Buitenhuis from in tight. Michael McNicholas and d-man Riley Guenther drew assists on the powerplay marker. Toronto star sniper Kevin Shier had served 68 seconds of a high sticking minor.

“It was a hell of a game for sure, probably the best game I’ve ever played in,” said Dancs, who got the game MVP hard hat from his teammates. “There’s no other way we’d rather win it, home and overtime.  It’s a pretty special feeling.”

Dancs used all his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame to crash the net for the winner and take Player of the Game honours.

“I got it on the goal-line and I kind of took it to the net and the d-man didn’t come to me and I was to go around the goalie and tuck it in.”

Dancs, McNicholas and Demico Hannoun broke out with their best game of the tournament.

“I wasn’t happy with my first three games of the tournament and coach sat my line down and talked to us and I thought we were way better tonight,” said Dancs.

Vernon goalie Austin Smith made a stellar save off Shier (32 points to lead the country in the post-season) from the slot, three minutes into overtime.

The crowd of 2,450 figured it was game over when Hannoun went hard to the net and redirected a gorgeous pass from the left side wall by McNicholas.

Toronto forced overtime with seven seconds left with Viper playoff hero Colton Sparrow off for high sticking. Smooth-skating d-man Michael Prapavessis netted the equalizer on a wild scramble, the assist going to Nathan Feric. Sparrow had been in the penalty box 29 seconds.

Centre Andreas Tsogkas put Toronto up six minutes into the game with a wrister from the middle past a screened Smith. Vernon d-man Kenny Citron had just returned to the ice after serving a minor for holding.

Shortly after the Vipers couldn’t convert on a brief 5-on-3 powerplay, Brett Mulcahy tipped in a Sparrow feed from behind the net for the equalizer.

Vernon outshot Toronto 46-24 and were the better team on the night, but didn’t have a ton of quality scoring chances. The Patriots are a patient, gritty team and they hung around long enough to cause the Vipers some grief. Buitenhuis was Toronto’s Player of the Game.

“Both teams played excellent tonight,” said Smith. “I gotta commend Toronto for their effort and how well they played tonight. That was more our style of hockey tonight, more our game.”

The Vipers’ hit parade was led by Citron and Logan Mick. Both players rocked Toronto’s Rory Bell, Citron knocking Bell’s lid flying near the Viper blueline early in the second period. Mick belted the durable Bell along the side wall in the neutral zone seven minutes later.

Hannoun lost an edge and fell on a partial breakaway early in the third, while Mulcahy just failed to jam the puck past Buitenhuis short side a few minutes later.

Guenther made a gigantic shot block just seconds before Smith stood his ground on Shier in the extra session.

Smith, who gave way to Danny Todosychuk after allowing two goals in a 5-2 loss to Dauphin Tuesday night, could not be faulted on either Toronto tally.

The Vipers dominated most of overtime, outshooting the Pats 9-2.

“From start to finish, I thought we deserved to win that game,” said Viper head coach Jason Williamson. “We were what we wanna be. We were hard, we were physical, we were very simple and our top guys were our best players. It was a game we needed to have and the guys showed up.”

Toronto, a good skating club based in Etobicoke, rung up a 35-win season and were making their first appearance as Central champs in a nationals.

“We were maybe a little nervous in the first half of the game, being a younger team trying to get to this stage, but I thought they adjusted really well and pushed back in the last 10, 15 minutes of the game,” said Toronto head coach Jason Fortier, 39, who also served as co-coach of the Toronto Nationals at the Telus Cup Midget nationals in Moose Jaw.

“It’s unfortunate. We had a good talk in the room and obviously, it’s never a good moment when you’ve seen tears in a player’s eyes. There’s not much you can other than comfort them. We should be proud of what this team did and there could much more from this team in the future.”

Hard-hitting winger Brendan Persley, who was injured early in Vernon’s tournament opener Saturday and can hardly walk, played a handful of courageous shifts before taking a seat. Williamson planned to put Persley back in the lineup Saturday.

“It’s a day-to-day thing, but he adds so much life and bench to our bench. He’s a leader through and through. He’s good even on one good leg.”

The gold-medal game goes Sunday at 4:30 p.m., live on TSN. Vernon has six national titles, while the other three semifinalists are looking for their first. Yorkton and Dauphin have both lost in the finals once. The Canadians are making their first appearance in the nationals.

“It’s unfortunate. We had a good talk in the room and obviously, it’s never a good moment when you’ve seen tears in a player’s eyes. There’s not much you can other than comfort them. We should be proud of what this team did and there could much more from this team in the future.”

Hard-hitting winger Brendan Persley, who was injured early in Vernon’s tournament opener Saturday and can hardly walk, played a handful of courageous shifts before taking a seat. Williamson planned to put Persley back in the lineup Saturday.

“It’s a day-to-day thing, but he adds so much life and bench to our bench. He’s a leader through and through. He’s good even on one good leg.”

The gold-medal game goes Sunday at 4:30 p.m., live on TSN. Vernon has six national titles, while the other three semifinalists are looking for their first. Yorkton and Dauphin have both lost in the finals once. The Canadians are making their first appearance in the nationals.

The Royal Bank Cup, Canada’s 44th National Junior A Championship, held its awards banquet at the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre Friday night with Sparrow taking home a pair of prestigious awards.

“Things are going pretty well for me right now. I love the game and for this to be in my hometown and do something like this is pretty surreal. It is something I’ll look back on for the rest of my life,” said Sparrow.

Sparrow won the Top Forward and Top Scorer awards. He leads the RBC Cup with five goals and seven points.

Dauphin net detective Michael Stiliadis won the Top Goaltender and the Rold Mercier Most Valuable Player. He has a bullet-proof 1.91 goals against average and a .943 save percentage.

Michael Prapavessis of the Patriots won the Top Defenceman award and Brett D’Andrea of the Canadians won the Tubby Schmalz Most Sportsmanlike Trophy.

The RBC Cup Legacy Scholarships were also handed out at the awards banquet. Vipers’ defenceman Josh Bryan was one of the five recipients for $500. Please visit: www.vernonmorningstar.com for further RBC coverage and photos.

Royal Bank Cup Semi-Finals: Carleton Place 5 Dauphin 3

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s RBC Cup Semi-final game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's RBC Cup Semi-final game as Carleton Place defeated Dauphin 5-3 at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Dauphin: Michael Stiliadis
Carleton Place: Guillaume Therien

1st Period: The Canadians would get on the board on early after Anthony McVeigh found the back of the net at 2:35 The Kings carried the edge in play and were the better of the two teams in the period.  Dauphin would tie the game shorthanded, Dylan Butler at 11:58 evened the score before the Kings went up 2-1.  Tanner Butler at 16:41 put the Kings ahead as Carleton Place couldnt get much offence going.  The Kings outshot the Canadians 16-7.

2nd Period: Luke Edwards tied the game early at 2:10 as the Canadians played a much better period.  Both teams were fairly evenly matched in the period with chances at both ends.  Brayden Cuthbert put Dauphin ahead 3-2 at 12:04 before Andy Sturtz just fourty three seconds later tied the game at 3-3 at 12:47 Dauphin outshot Carleton Place 14-11.

3rd Period: The Canadians come out strong had a great chance early but couldnt beat former Vipers goaltender Michael Stiliadis.  Carleton Place with a ton of pressure early were all over the Kings.  The Canadians with several good chances couldnt take the lead.  Dylan Gareau put the Canadians ahead on a nice pass in front from Andy Sturtz gave Carleton Place a 4-3 lead at 10:43 Dauphin struggled offensively couldnt break through the neutral zone went atleast fourteen minutes without a shot on goal.  The Kings would eventually get two or three opportunities late but twice couldnt hit the net.  Dauphin had troubles getting Stiliadis to the bench for the extra attacker as the Canadians carried the play.  The Kings would eventually get the extra man out before Anthony McVeigh with his second of the night into the empty netter for a 5-3 lead at 19:49 The Canadians with a solid third period scored twice come away with a huge 5-3 win to advance to tomorrow's RBC Cup Championship game will face the SJHL Yorkton Terriers.  Carleton Place outshot Dauphin 16-2.

Top Players: (Dauphin)

Brent Wold (1 assist) Has played well this Tournament had a good game for the Kings this evening.  Picking up one assist played and battled hard.

Dylan Butler (1 goal) Had a very strong game, Butler saw a ton of ice was good at both ends of the rink.

Brayden Cuthbert (1 goal) Also played very well having a strong game for the Kings.  Cuthbert is another player that impressed me for Dauphin this past week.

Game Thought's: (Dauphin)

The Kings would finish 3-1 during the round robin were eliminated after a 5-3 loss this evening to the Carleton Place Canadians.  I thought the Kings were by far the better of the two teams in the 1st went out to a 2-1 lead but Carleton Place come back with a much better 2nd period and held up with the Kings in a more evenly played period.  Tied at three each heading into the third, Dauphin just couldnt get anything going as the Kings were outplayed, outshot and outworked most of the period.  Giving up two goals in the third, the Kings season would come to an end.

Top Players: (Carleton Place)

Elias Ghantous had a solid game defensively for the Canadians.  Was very good one on one and in his own end.

Andy Sturtz (1 goal & 2 assists) Was very strong picking up three points.  So much talk about this young man leading up to the RBC Cup I dont think I recall seeing him in any of the Canadians previous games leading up to tonight.  Tonight Sturtz come to play and had a very strong game.

Anthony McVeigh (2 goals) Had a strong game on the wing. 

Dylan Gareau (1 goal) Played very strong, had a very strong game up front for Carleton Place.

Game Thought's: (Carleton Place)

Outplayed and outshot in the opening period the Canadians fell behind a goal but come back with a much better effort and performance in the middle period, evening the score Carleton Place kept pace with Dauphin heading to the third tied at three.  In the 3rd it was all Canadians as they carried most of the play, really took it too the Kings early and often getting several great scoring opportunities.  The Canadians could have easily scored three or four goals to really put this game out of reach.  Give credit to Carleton Place who played very well defensively shutting down the Kings in the 3rd period.  After watching all the round robin games all week I would have never guessed we would see a Yorkton-Carleton Place final tomorrow.

Scratches:

Dauphin:

Chandler Irvin
Riley Thiessen
Taran Lacquette
Cameron Whyte
Tristan Mullin

Carleton Place:

Landon Gareau
Connor Merkley
Brett Everson
Vinny Post
Andrew Dodson

Players of the Game:

Dauphin: Dylan Butler (1 goal)
Carleton Place:  Andy Sturtz (1 goal & 2 assists)

For more on tonight's game visit the Hockey Canada website,

http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/game/show/7691859?subseason=142110&referrer=1060585

Royal Bank Cup Semi-Final: Yorkton 6 Vernon 3

For anyone who could not attend or watch today’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from today’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw today’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at today's RBC Cup Semi-final game as Yorkton defeated Vernon 6-3 at Kal Tire Place.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Austin Smith
Yorkton: Kale Thomson

1st Period: The Vipers would get a great opportunity to open the scoring just ten seconds into the game.  Colton Sparrow setup Brett Mulcahy in front who was stopped by Kale Thomson as Mulcahy collided with a Terriers defenceman going head over heels.  Vernon with a good start seemed to have the early jump on Yorkton would get the games first powerplay early to start the game.  Vernon with some good pressure didnt generate alot of chances couldnt capitalize as the Terriers would kill off the penalty.  The Terriers needed three minutes to get their first shot on goal before getting a two man advantage.  Former Vipers forward Riley Hunt with a great chance at the side of the net hit the side of the net as Yorkton come close to opening the scoring.  The Terriers with good pressure had troubles getting pucks to the net as Vernon's penalty kill was good.  The Vipers would kill off the first minor and come close to killing off the second penalty but two Vipers got caught high near the blueline, Tanner Lischynsky's shot from the high slot beat Austin Smith giving the Terriers a 1-0 lead on the man advantage at 9:05 Devon McMullin & Tyson Enzie collected the helpers.  Yorkton would strike again and just fourty six seconds later take a 2-0 lead.  Tayler Thompson setup Daylan Gatzke who beat Smith shortside from the circle at 9:51 This goal seemed to really take the life and energy out of Vernon.  The Terriers gained off the momentum of the back to back goals carried the edge in play for a few minutes before Vernon would get it's second powerplay of the afternoon.  Jared Wilson setup Brett Mulcahy in front who beat Kale Thomson at 15:47 getting the Vipers on the board.  Wilson and Michael McNicholas with the assists.  Off the following faceoff Kailum Gervais come back the other way had a great opportunity was stopped by Vipers starting goaltender Austin Smith.  The Vipers slowly got their game going late in the period, had some pressure but didnt generate any real quality chances.  The Terriers would respond and catching the Vipers off gaurd Yorkton showed alot of hustle in the final two minutes would get atleast three or four quick shots from in close but couldnt hit the net as the Vipers were back on their heels.  Joshua Ellis just deflected a shot wide of the goal on a close call that would have put the Terriers up 3-0.  Yorkton finished the period strong had the Vipers pinned in their own end as Vernon had troubles clearing the zone.  The Terriers were up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play.  Vernon got off to a good start, Brett Mulcahy with a great chance to open the scoring just ten seconds into the game couldnt capitalize.  Yorkton's two goals in fourty six seconds seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Vipers, Vernon's bench looked pretty dejected and the Vipers just couldnt seem to recover.  Vernon outshot Yorkton 12-5.

2nd Period: The Vipers would get an early powerplay in the opening minute and capitalize.  Dexter Dancs setup Michael McNicholas in front who beat Terriers starting goaltender Kale Thomson at 1:36 to tie the game 2-2.  Dancs & Mason Blacklock with the assists.  This goal gave the Vipers some life and got the crowd back into the game.  Vernon really come on strong and were all over Yorkton early and often as the Terriers were back on their heels.  The Vipers come very close to taking their first lead of the afternoon, after a few goal scrambles.  Brett Mulcahy with a good opportunity got a shot off from the slot that forced Thomson to hold on tight, as the Terriers goaltender fell back into the crease keeping the puck out.  Vernon with all kinds of pressure just missed the net-far corner on a few close shots had the fans buzzing.  Yorkton had troubles getting out of their own end as the Vipers were all over the Terriers but couldnt capitalize.  The Terriers would get their first rush of the period and score.  Chase Norrish's point shot was redirected in by Dylan Johnson giving the Terriers a 3-2 lead at 8:57 on Yorkton's first shot of the period.  On the next play the Vipers would take an undisaplined penalty giving the Terriers their third powerplay of the night but a very good penalty kill by the Vipers and they would kill off the minor.  Just as the penalty expired Chase Norrish's point shot went up and over the shoulder of Austin Smith putting Yorkton up 4-2 at 11:39 Norrish's goal was unassisted.  This was the end of the afternoon for Austin Smith who was pulled after giving up four goals on just eight Yorkton shots.  Danny Todosychuk would replace Smith who was seeing his second bit of action in the tournament.  But the Vipers would respond in a hurry with a good push back.  Demico Hannoun setup Dexter Dancs at 12:38 as the Terriers lead was now at 4-3 Hannoun and Michael McNicholas collected the helpers.  Yorkton looked to be testing Danny Todosychuk as the Terriers were getting some long shots in on the Vernon goaltender who was giving up some pretty big rebounds.  Just a few minutes later the Terriers would get another shot with the man advantage before taking a penalty wich put both teams four on four before the Vipers would get a late shortened powerplay.  The Terriers would kill off the penalty and head back to even strength.  The Terriers were up 4-3 after 40 minutes of play.  The Vipers with a great start to the 2nd period come out on fire, scoring on an early man advantage tied the game before getting alot of close calls just missing the net or forcing the goaltender to hold onto the puck.  The Vipers outplayed the Terriers in the first seven or so minutes had a ton of pressure couldnt capitalize for the go ahead goal before giving up the third goal on Yorkton's first shot of the period.  The Terriers with two goals less then three minutes apart once again jumped out to a two goal lead.  The Vipers would reply quickly but just couldnt get any bounces in and around the Terriers net.  Shots were even 13-13.

3rd Period: In the opening minute Demico Hannoun setup Colton Sparrow at the side of the net who's shot just missed the far corner on a close call.  The Vipers carried the edge in play early but couldnt generate no offence as Yorkton's defence was solid.  Keeping Vernon to the outside, playing hard along the boards the Vipers couldnt get anybody to the front of the net as all shots were from well outside.  The Vipers would get a early powerplay, Liam Coughlin would get a great opportunity going in for the breakaway would get slashed on the play didnt get off a shot as Vernon would get a two man advantage.  But the Vipers struggled, missing passes, players out of position and give the Terriers credit their defence was solid doing a great job at keeping the Vipers to the outside as Vernon couldnt generate no scoring chances.  Yorkton with a huge penalty kill would kill off both minors.  Just as the final penalty expired the Vipers would take yet another undisaplined penalty giving the Terriers a powerplay.  The Vipers were able to kill off the penalty and get control of the puck and the play as the Vipers carried the edge in play but again couldnt get anything going.  Vernon looked frustrated with several missed passes as the Terriers played a heck of a defensive game in the third.  The Vipers with no quality chances tried getting Danny Todosychuk out for the extra attacker but on the way to the bench Todosychuk would fall on his way to the bench before Daylan Gatzke with his second of the afternoon hit the open cage giving Yorkton a 5-3 lead at 18:17 Gatzke's goal was unassisted.  Vernon would pull Todosychuk for the extra attacker but it didnt last long as Tayler Thompson with his second point of the game hit the empty net giving the Terriers a 6-3 lead.  Riley Guenther slammed his stick into the glass breaking the side glass in frustration.  Guenther would get tossed from the game while there was a delay in the game to replace the broken plain.  When the play returned Jason Williamson sent out his twenty year olds for their final shift of the season, as in the end the SJHL & Western Canada Cup Champion Yorkton Terriers come away with a 6-3 victory to advance to the RBC Cup Championship game.  Several Vernon players, especially the older veteran players held their head low on the bench as the Terriers celebrated the victory.  The Vipers just couldnt get anything going in the 3rd, Vernon carried the edge in play but couldnt generate any real scoring threats as the Terriers come up with a huge defensive shut down period hung on for the one goal lead before adding two empty netters for the win.  Shots were even 12-12.

Top Players: (Vernon)

Josh Bryan I thought had a good game on the Viper blueline.  Bryan in his final Junior hockey game had a strong game and season.

Michael McNicholas (1 goal & 2 assists) Had a strong game up front collecting three points this afternoon, to finish off his career with the Vipers. 

Brett Mulcahy (1 goal) I thought had a good game, Mulcahy in his final Junior hockey season had a few good chances, scored once on the powerplay, was working hard.

Colton Sparrow I thought worked and battled hard like he has all playoffs and Tournament had a great chance to tie the game in the opening minute of the 3rd but just missed the far corner.  The Terriers looked to get under the skin of several Vipers including Sparrow.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

The Vipers with a good start to the game felll behind early after giving up two quick back to back goals just fourty six seconds apart wich seemed to take the life out of the team.  After some early penalties the Vipers got off their physical game, not knowing what the referees were going to call, the Vipers looked afraid to hit, thinking they will get a penalty. This was a big turning point in the game. Give Vernon credit they battled back to tie the game but once again fell behind two goals giving up two goals in less then three minutes in the 2nd period.  The Vipers with a real strong 2nd period come hard at the Terriers with a ton of pressure.  Vernon would tie the game early on the powerplay couldnt seem to get any bounces or breaks in and around the Yorkton goal coming very close to taking the lead.  After totally outplaying the Terriers and not getting that third goal, the Terriers on their first rush of the period scored on their first shot of the period.  These two quick goals once again seemed to take the wind out of the sails of Vernon.  The Vipers didnt get the goaltending they needed this afternoon, Austin Smith didnt look his normal self, I thought looked shaky at times would like back atleast two goals.  Down just a goal heading into the 3rd the Vipers couldnt mount any real pressure or quality chances, several missed passes, players out of position, the Vipers struggled offensively couldnt generate any offence.  Most of Vernon's shots were from well outside with no traffic in front.  Vernon had troubles against a strong Terriers defence who played very well today.  The Vipers really struggled with the man advantage going 1-6 with the powerplay including a two man advantage in the 3rd.  I thought going down two goals early in the 1st and then giving up two quick back to back goals in the 2nd after outplaying the Terriers really deflated the Vipers and they just couldnt recover.  Vernon looked frustrated and looked to panic as the third period went on just didnt have a great game overall.  I didnt think the Vipers played with alot of energy or jump most of the game, Vernon lacked urgencey in their game and it showed.  Vernon just didnt play with that energy and intensity that had vs Toronto Lakshore the other night.  This was a different Vipers team we saw play today.  The Vipers top scorers were nowhere to be seen through out the game.  The Vipers didnt get any bounces or puck luck today, needed a few of those.  Great to see one of the biggest if not the biggest crowd of the Tournament today, not a sellout but a pretty big crowd for a Saturday afternoon.  With the season all now over, it will be very interesting to see what brings us with next season's Vipers.  Vernon has a possible six players returning is going to have to do some heavy recruiting-scouting to fill the empty spots from this years players not returning.  Id like to take this time to thank the Vernon Vipers, the players, the coaches, the management and everyone involved on a great season and a tough way to lose.  I myself didnt expect this team to go as far as they did this year and give them a ton of credit.  Right from Training Camp you could see on paper the Vipers had a very strong team and when playing at their best were one of the toughest teams to beat-play against.  Consistancy was a big problem this year and I think if they played every game like they showed, they would have been right up there in the standings as one of if not the top team in the league. 

Top Players: (Yorkton)

Chase Norrish (1 goal & 1 assist) Played a very strong game this afternoon.  I thought Norrish and Devon McMullin were the Terriers two top d-men played a heck of a tournament.  Norrish saw a ton of ice today was very well at both ends of the rink.

Jordan Ross had a strong game for Yorkton.  One of the bigger kids on the Terriers played with alot of jump, was really involved in the play.

Brady Norrish played very well on the Yorkton backend.  Saw alot of minutes was very hard to beat down low and in along the boards.

Daylan Gatzke (2 goals) Had a strong game scoring twice was very good up front for the Terriers. 

Tayler Thompson (1 goal & 1 assist) Was very good this afternoon, a bigger kid was also heavily involved in the play.

Kale Thomson (34 saves) For a kid who I didnt think looked or played that good at the start of the RBC Cup sure come on late in the Tournament and played very well in some big games.  Didnt have to make any real outstanding saves today but was solid between the pipes making the key saves when called apon.  Got lucky on a few saves but thats when you need at this time of the year.

Game Thought's: (Yorkton)

The Terriers fell behind 5-0 to the Vipers in the preliminary round rallied to come within a goal would fall 6-4.  Well today was a different story.  The Terriers would be the ones that jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead forced Vernon into having to claw back wich they did, would tie the game but Yorkton went right back to work once again taking another two goal lead but this time the Terriers would hold on to a one goal lead in the 3rd before adding two empty netters to put the game away.  I didnt think this Yorkton team looked or played that great at the start of the Tournament but come on late and played better as the RBC Cup went on.  Give Yorkton full credits for a hard working game and a solid defensive game really shut down the Vipers offence, didnt give Vernon any real good quality shots or chances through out the game.  I thought Yorkton kept the Vipers to the outside, limited their chances, got under their skin and got Vernon off their game.  The Terriers got a few lucky breaks-bounces today and thats how the game goes sometimes.  Yorkton was very good on the penalty kill and down low, in and around the net and hard on the puck along the wall.  The Terriers held off the Vipers attack early at the start of the 2nd period before scoring twice to re-gain the two goal lead.  This was a big turning point.  Yorkton did a good job at tying up the Viper forwards down low and along the boards, keeping the Vipers outside of the box.  The Terriers tied up and shit down Vernon's top players, keeping them almost invincible all afternoon.  If the Vipers score once or two goals after outplaying Yorkton in the first seven minutes this may be a different game. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Mark Hamilton
Logan Mick
Dallas Calvin

Yorkton:

Sam Stormoen
Zach Zadorozniak
Corwin Stevely
Cortlan Procter
Matthew Cox

Players of the Game:

Vernon: Michael McNicolas (1 goal & 2 assists)
Yorkton: Chase Norrish (1 goal & 1 assist)

For more on today's game visit the Hockey Canada boxscore and game summary,

http://stats.hockeycanada.ca/game/show/7691858?subseason=142110&referrer=1060585

Game Preview: Royal Bank Cup Semi-Finals: Yorkton vs Vernon:

Game Preview: Royal Bank Cup: Yorkton vs Vernon:

Yorkton (2-2) vs Vernon (2-2) 2pm start

Today is the first of two semi-final games at the RBC Cup tournament as the Vernon Vipers host the Yorkton Terriers as both teams are looking to advance to the RBC Cup Final. You can listen to today's game live with Graham Turnbull starting with the pre-game show at 1:45pm on 107.5 Kiss FM

For more on the RBC Cup and all five teams visit the Hockey Canada website,

http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/National-Championships/Men/National-Junior-A/2014

For more stats & former Vernon Junior Hockey Team rosters & lineups please visit Paul’s Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

http://members.shaw.ca/vernonfranchise/index.html

Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers:

Team Website www.vipers.bc.ca

The Vernon Vipers host the SJHL & Western Canada Cup Champion Yorkton Terriers in the teams meeting at the RBC Cup. Vernon defeated the Terriers 6-4 on Monday finished preliminary action with a 2-2 record.  The Vipers advanced to the RBC Cup semi-finals after a 3-2 overtime win over Toronto Lakeshore Thursday.  The Vipers are making their tenth appearance at the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup as this years host team. This is the second time the City of Vernon has hosted the National Championship as the 1990 Vernon Lakers hosted and won the 1990 Centennial Cup. Vernon is going for their seventh National Championship. The Vernon Lakers defeated the Yorkton Terriers in the 1991 Centennial Cup 5-4 in overtime to win the Abbott Cup before eliminating the Terriers in the Centennial Cup semi-finals. The Lakers went on that year to win the 1991 Centennial Cup.

HOW THEY GOT TO VERNON

British Columbia Hockey League

Preliminary round: defeated West Kelowna 4-2 (1-5, 4-1, 6-4, 4-1, 1-4, 5-0)
Quarter-final: defeated Penticton 4-3 (4-3, 3-5, 3-4, 5-2, 3-2, 0-2, 4-3 OT)
Semifinal: 2-0 first place in round robin (defeated Victoria 5-4, defeated Coquitlam 6-1)
BCHL championship: lost to Coquitlam 4-0 (4-6, 3-4 OT, 2-3 OT, 3-4)

REGULAR SEASON

Record: 30-18-4-6 (7th in BCHL) (3rd Place Interior Division)
Home Record: 17-6-3-3
Road Record: 13-12-1-3
Overtime Record: 5-6-4
Record vs Interior Division: 16-12-1-4
Record vs Island & Mainland Divisions: 12-6-2-2
Record in September: 3-3-1-2
Record in October: 6-3-0-1
Record in November: 6-1-2-1
Record in December: 5-3-0-0
Record in January: 4-5-1-1
Record in February: 6-2-0-1
Record in March: 0-1
When the Vipers score first: 23-7-3-3
When the opponents score first: 7-10-1-3
Leading after 1st Period: 17-4-2-3
Tied after 1st Period: 7-7-1-1
Trailing after 1st Period: 5-6-1-2
Leading after 2nd Period: 19-3-2-1
Tied after 2nd Period: 6-5-2-4
Trailing after 2nd Period: 5-9-0-1
Out shooting Opponents: 15-5-2-1
Out shot by Opponents: 15-10-2-3
One goal games: 12-2-2-6
Goals For: 187 (10th in BCHL)
Goals Against: 175 (9th in BCHL)
Power Play: 30 for 211 (14.2% - 16th in BCHL)
Penalty Killing: 207 of 254 (81.5% - 9th in BCHL)
Longest Winning Streak: 5 (Oct. 5-18; Feb. 12-22)
Streak: Finished regular season on two game losing streak

Top 3 Scorers:

Michael McNicholas – 23G 46A 69P (6th in BCHL)
Dexter Dancs – 26G 41A 67P (7th in BCHL)
Brett Mulcahy – 30G 15A 45P (48th in BCHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 10-9
Home Record: 5-4
Road Record: 5-5
Overtime Record: 1-2
Goals For: 66
Goals Against: 58
When the Vipers score first: 6-5
When the opponents score first: 4-4
Leading after 1st Period: 5-5
Tied after 1st Period: 4-1
Trailing after 1st Period: 1-3
Leading after 2nd Period: 8-4
Tied after 2nd Period: 1-2
Trailing after 2nd Period: 1-3
Out shooting Opponents: 5-3
Out shot by Opponents: 4-5
One goal games: 4-4
Power Play: 10 for 57 (17.5%)
Penalty Killing: 61 of 77 (79.2%)
Streak: Four game losing streak

Top 3 Scorers:

Colton Sparrow – 8G 14A 22P
Brendan Persley – 11G 10A 21P
Brett Mulcahy – 14G 4A 18P

NATIONAL JUNIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2011 – Vernon Vipers | 5-1 | 23GF 12GA | runners-up
2010 – Vernon Vipers | 5-1 | 28GF 14GA | national champions
2009 – Vernon Vipers | 6-0 | 32GF 15GA | national champions
1999 – Vernon Vipers | 3-3 | 22GF 20GA | national champions
1996 – Vernon Vipers | 4-2 | 26GF 20GA | national champions
1992 – Vernon Lakers | 3-2 | 25GF 22GA | third place
1991 – Vernon Lakers | 4-2 | 29GF 29GA | national champions
1990 – Vernon Lakers | 5-1 | 36GF 19GA | national champions
1989 – Vernon Lakers | 0-3 | 8GF 18GA | fourth place

Vernon's all-time Record at the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup:

Games Played: 52
Wins: 36 (Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Record)
Losses: 16
Goals For: 238 (Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup Record)
Goals Against: 174                          

Vernon's all-time Round Robin Record:

23-14

Vernon's all-time Semi-Final Record:

7-1

Vernon's all-time Championship Final Record:

6-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DYLAN CHANTER

shutdown defenceman … smart … quick to react in his own end … strong skater … moves the puck well … keeps things simple in defensive zone … can separate puck carrier from the puck

MICHAEL MCNICHOLAS

highly skilled … loves to have the puck on his stick … always a threat to score … can control the puck in tight spaces … uses open space to his advantage … makes quick, hard passes … good hockey IQ

AUSTIN SMITH

athletic goaltender … plays with poise … confident … good vision …quick glove … moves well from side to side … uses his stick well … likes to challenge shooters … good second effort for rebounds

COMMITMENTS

Mason Blacklock – Michigan Tech University (2014-15)
Dylan Chanter – University of New Hampshire (2014-15)
Ken Citron – Colgate University (2015-16)
Liam Coughlin – Boston University (2014-15)
Dexter Dancs – University of Michigan (2014-15)
Demico Hannoun – Michigan Tech University (2014-15)
Michael McNicholas – University of New Hampshire (2014-15)
Logan Mick – Quinnipiac University (2015-16)
Brett Mulcahy – Holy Cross University (2014-15)
Ryan Renz – Lake Superior State University (2014-15)
Colton Sparrow – University of Alaska Fairbanks (2014-15)
Jared Wilson – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2014-15)

Vernon Vipers Returning Players:

Mason Blacklock (94)
Dexter Dancs (95)
TJ Dumonceaux (94)
Logan Mick (96)
Brendan Persley (93)
Ryan Renz (93)
Colton Sparrow (93)
Michael Statchuk (94)
Austin Smith (93)
Danny Todosychuk (94)

Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:

Liam Board (93)
Brett Corkey (92)
Bryce Eviston (94)
Jason Bird (93)
Andrew Tegeler (92)
Craig Martin (95)
Mitch McAllister (94)
Marc Hetnik (92)
Michael Roberts (95)
Braeden Russell (93)
Geoff Crisfield (93)

Lets take a look at the Yorkton Terriers:

Team Website http://www.yorktonterriers.com/

Yorkton Terriers blog http://bennywalchuk.blogspot.ca/

The SJHL & Western Canada Cup Champion Yorkton Terriers are making their fifth appearance at the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup advanced to the National Championship after winning the teams first ever Western Canada Cup with a victory over the AJHL Spruce Grove Saints in Dauphin Manitoba.   The Terriers advanced to the semi-finals after a 2-1 overtime victory over the Dauphin Kings Thursday.  Yorkton finished 2-2 during preliminary play are playing in their fifth RBC Cup semi-final are 1-3 in semi-finals.  In four of the Terriers five appearances at the RBC Cup the Vernon Vipers were also at the same tournament (1991,1996,1999 & 2014). The Vernon Lakers knocked the Terriers out of the 1991 Centennial Cup after a 7-5 victory in the semi-finals. Yorkton hosted the 1999 RBC Cup where the Vipers won their fourth National Championship.  Riley Hunt will play his former team for a second time this week.  Hunt played one season in Vernon (2011-12) was traded to Salmon Arm early during the 2012-13 season.  

The Yorkton Terriers are a team in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) based in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The team plays their home games in the Farrell Agencies Arena, which has a seating capacity of 2,300.

The team joined the SJHL for the 1972–73 season. The team won their first league championship in 1983. Four times in their history they have competed in the Tier II Junior "A" National Championships: 1991 in Sudbury, 1996 in Melfort, 1999 as the hosts, and 2006 in Streetsville.

The team has won the league championship five times in its history: 1983, 1991, 2005, 2006, and 2013.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under Hockey Canada, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Open to North American-born players 20 years of age or younger, the SJHL's 12 teams play in three divisions: the Kramer, Sherwood and Viterra Divisions. A major attraction in Saskatchewan, the SJHL draws 400,000 fans each season (nearly half the population of the province). The winner of the SJHL playoffs continues on to play in the Western Canada Cup in a 5-team round robin tournament including the host team and winners from the BCJHL, AJHL, SJHL, and MJHL, where the top two teams advance to the Junior "A" National Championship, the Royal Bank Cup.

Founded in 1968, the league was originally known as the Saskatchewan Amateur Junior Hockey League until 1973. They re-adopted the "Amateur" in their name in 1980 and carried it until the 1987-88 season when they dropped the "Amateur" again. They were one of the original Tier II Junior A leagues in the realignment of 1970. Their first two seasons they were eligible for the Memorial Cup.

HOW THEY GOT TO VERNON

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League

Quarter-final: defeated Notre Dame 4-1 (5-1, 1-2, 5-2, 3-2 OT, 7-1)
Semifinal: defeated Humboldt 4-1 (5-6 3OT, 3-2 2OT, 6-5, 4-3 OT, 2-1 OT)
SJHL championship: defeated Melville 4-0 (2-1 OT, 2-1 2OT, 3-1, 4-0)

Western Canada Cup

Preliminary round: 2-2, second place (lost to Winnipeg 3-1, defeated Dauphin 8-6, lost to Spruce Grove 3-2 OT, defeated Coquitlam 4-1)
Championship game: defeated Dauphin 5-4

REGULAR SEASON

Record: 37-12-7 (1st in SJHL)
Goals For: 186 (1st in SJHL)
Goals Against: 125 (1st in SJHL)
Power Play: 51 for 233 (21.9% - 1st in SJHL)
Penalty Killing: 197 of 234 (84.2% - 4th in SJHL)
Longest Winning Streak: 7 (Jan. 24-Feb. 8)

Top 3 Scorers:

Brett Boehm – 31G 35A 66P (2nd in SJHL)
Tayler Thompson – 23G 38A 61P (4th in SJHL)
Chase Norrish – 9G 36A 45P (11th in SJHL)

PLAYOFFS

Playoff Record: 15-4
Goals For: 72
Goals Against: 45
Power Play: 17 for 79 (21.5%)
Penalty Killing: 61 of 71 (85.9%)

Top 3 Scorers:

Brett Boehm – 19G 9A 28P
Tyler Giebel – 6G 16A 22P
Chase Norrish – 8G 10A 18P

NATIONAL JUNIOR A CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2006 – Yorkton Terriers | 2-4 | 12GF 24GA | runners-up
1999 – Yorkton Terriers | 3-2 | 17GF 14GA | fourth place
1996 – Yorkton Terriers | 1-4 | 15GF 26GA | fourth place
1991 – Yorkton Terriers | 3-2 | 27GF 22GA | third place

Yorkton's all-time Record at the Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup:

Games Played: 23
Wins: 9
Losses: 12
Goals For: 74
Goals Against: 86

Yorkton's all-time Round Robin Record:

9-9

Yorkton's all-time Semi-Final Record:

1-3

Yorkton's all-time Championship Final Record:

0-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BRETT BOEHM

smart player … always finds open space … effective when playing down low … does the little things well … difficult to knock off the puck … soft but strong hands … reaches top speed quickly

CHASE NORRISH

an on-ice general … controls the pace of the game … makes a good first pass … moves the puck well on the PP … very mobile … competes physically … likes to take away space … good hockey sense

TAYLER THOMPSON

Mr. Consistency … can beat defenders with ease … works hard without the puck … always in good position … good offensive anticipation … quick release … good one-on-one skill set ... good speed

COMMITMENTS

Brett Boehm – University of Minnesota Duluth (2014-15)
Riley Hunt – Harvard University (2015-16)
Brady Norrish – Rochester Institute of Technology (2014-15)
Chase Norrish – Rochester Institute of Technology (2014-15)

Here's a look at both teams rosters-stats:

Vernon Vipers:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224096

Yorkton Terriers:

http://www.leaguestat.com/sjhl/sjhl/en/stats/roster.php?step=&sub=&season_id=15&team_id=11