Tufto Not Returning
June 10, 2016
by Vernon Vipers
Recent News
Tufto Will Not Return For 2016-17 Season
The Vernon Vipers are losing their top scorer and top rookie for the upcoming season. Odeen (Peter) Tufto told the team he wouldn’t be returning for his second season with the squad and announced he would be joining the USHL’s Fargo Force this week. The Force had drafted him 7th overall in early May kicking off rumours the centreman might be weighing his options to head back to the states.
The Quinnipiac University commit from Chaska, Minnesota finished his rookie season in the BCHL with 65 points in 57 games with the team and is going to be missed next year.
“We wish Peter all the best, we’re just a little disappointed that we don’t get him back. He was a good kid and he had nothing but great things to say about the organization, his billets, his teammates and he’s just picking a different path” said Head Coach Mark Ferner who also cited the Minnesota native had lots of family in the Fargo area.
The Vernon Vipers organization would like to thank Odeen (Peter) for his fantastic effort this past season and wish him all the best in his hockey career.
Hear more from Ferner and teammate Jagger Williamson regarding the loss of Tufto for next season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4r1FumJ-6k
The Vipers not only lose Tufto but their best player and their leading scorer from last year. He wasn't the biggest kid, started off a little slow to start the season, but I thought come on strong in November and continued his strong play as the season went on. Tufto was the Vipers go to guy for goals-assists for most of the season. The Vipers squeaked into the playoffs, winning the final regular season game in Trail. You have to wonder if the Vipers would have made the playoffs without Tufto-Shortridge last season?
ReplyDeleteThe Vipers better be prepared to try and replace a kid like Tufto, with a handful of possible players returning, the Vipers don't really have a ton of skill returning up front. It looks like most teams have been very busy this off season making lots of different announcements regarding new players-new recruits, trades etc. Other then signing three new recruits for next season, what the Vipers done? I sure hope they can put together a competitive team this coming season that can compete and play against teams like Salmon Arm, Penticton, West Kelowna, Wenatchee, Chilliwack & Nanaimo etc