Memories Of The ’99 Vipers
July 22, 2016
by Vernon Vipers
Vernon Vipers owner Dr. Duncan Wray and former Viper bench boss Troy Mick sat down to talk about their memories of the 1999 Royal Bank Cup champion Vernon Vipers. The team is being inducted into the BC Hockey Hall Of Fame along with alumnus Murray Baron who played for the Lakers between 1984 and 1986. Wray, who was inducted into the BCHHOF in 2011, says all of the teams that have won a national title have a special place in his memories but the 1999 team’s accomplishments cannot be overlooked.
The ’99 squad only lost six games in the regular season posting a team record 106 points. However the team also had some struggles en route to its second RBC cup and 4th National Championship. Not only did the team lose the first ever game to the RMJHL Kimberley Dynamiters (no BCHL team had lost a game during the Mowat Cup) but the team also had to beat the Calgary Canucks led by future NHL star Dany Heatley.
Even in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, the team narrowly avoided being eliminated in the RBC Cup’s round robin portion after losing their first three games of the tournament. The Vipers however would come back to beat Charlottetown 9-3 to win their 4th National Championship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAPGqP3B6K0
1 comment:
Congratulations to the 1999 Vernon Vipers on being inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame Friday. Also congrats to former Vernon Lakers defenceman Murray Barron for being inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame last night.
I attended the BC Hockey Hall of Fame Friday for the first time and what an experience and great time I had, was well worth the ticket and trip to Penticton. The arena was packed, with hundreds of people attending.
Watching the video presentation on the 1999 Vipers and then seeing the Vipers walk across the stage, brought back some great memories from that 1998-99 season. That 1998-99 Vipers team I think was by far the best Vernon Junior Hockey team I have ever watched over my 30 plus years of watching Junior hockey in Vernon. The 1999 Vipers could score at will and were almost never out of any game no matter what the score was. That season the Vipers had a 22 game winning streak before being snapped the week before Christmas with back to back losses in Quesnel. That team was built with character, heart, desire, skill and a great bond along with a great coaching staff. The Viper defence that season was solid and with Gustafson and King between the pipes, Vernon had one of the leagues best one two goaltenders. Its hard to believe that was now 17 years ago, wow! What a great accomplishment and fun ride that 1998-99 season was, something I will never forget!
Thanks for some great memories guys! Once again, Congratulations!
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