Rockets Name Viper Alumni Persley New Assistant Coach:

The Okanagan Rockets have named former Vernon Vipers forward
Brendan Persley new Assistant Coach.

Persley will join his former Head Coach-GM Jason Williamson who was the Vipers Coach during Persley's playing career in Vernon. Williamson is the Rockets Head Coach-GM.

Persley played parts of four seasons in Vernon (2009-2014) Persley started the 2009 season with the Vipers before leaving for the Western Hockey League Chilliwack Bruins after playing in just eight games. In 2011 Persley started the season with the WHL Victoria Royals who reassigned Persley to the Vipers on November 24th 2011. In 2012 Persley started the season with the WHL Tro-City Americans, the Vipers traded Persleys playing rights on September, 4th 2012 to the MJHL Virden Oil Capitals along with future considerations for Mitch Van Teeling. Persley was released by the Americans in mid September before landing back in Vernon for a third time. On September 22nd 2012 the Vipers acquired Persley's playing rights back from the MJHL Virden Oil Capitals for future considerations. Persley would finish his Junior career with the Vipers. In 133 games with the Vipers Persley collected (22-goals-27-assists-49-points).

Brendan Persley's Player-Coaching Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=48220

This is posted on the Rockets website:

Another Former Viper Joins OK Rockets Coaching Staff

09/03/15

Persley Joins Okanagan Rockets Coaching Staff

Brendan Persley is the latest Vernon Viper that will join the Okanagan Rockets. He will join the Rockets as an assistant coach, adding to the list of former Vipers (Head Coach – Jason Williamson, Trainer – Craig Carter). Persley a former Prince Albert Raider draft pick spent 2 years in the WHL with the Chilliwack Bruins before ending his career in the BCHL with the Vernon Vipers under Rockets’ head coach Jason Williamson. Like Williamson, Persley brings to the Rockets’ staff a wealth of experience from junior hockey at both the Major Junior Junior A levels.

Although new to coaching world, head coach Jason Williamson is confident this will be a good fit for Persley “I have known Brendan for a lot of years from coaching him in Vernon. He was a heart and soul type of player and I am sure he will instill that in our players. I look forward to working with him and building a national championship caliber team” said Williamson.

Persley understands that this will be a learning year for him as well but feels he has a lot to bring to the table “I am very excited to get back into the sport of hockey and to be given the chance to coach in one of the most premier midget programs in Canada” said Persley. “I have been thru a lot as a player, good and bad. I feel that with my experiences and knowledge of the game, I will be able to help these young men develop as hockey players, and guide them in the right direction as they encounter some big decisions ahead.” said Persley.

“I am very pleased that Brendan has decided to join our staff for the upcoming season. Jason and Brendan have an excellent relationship, this is something I saw as being very critical to the decision we made. In order for our organization to have success we must have all our players on the same page and that starts with a cohesive staff” said general manager Braeden Pistawka. “Brendan is a young, enthusiastic, and passionate individual much like myself when I first joined the Okanagan Rockets in 2013. I have the utmost confidence that he will be a truly beneficial piece to this organization over the upcoming years. “