This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:
Vipers trade for two
Kevin Mitchell Sun Jul 16th, 2017
The Vernon Vipers have amped up their B.C. Hockey League offence with two speedy forwards.
The Vipers traded F Luke Gingras and future considerations to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for the the rights for F Jordan Sandhu and then acquired F Keyvan Mokhtari from the Victoria Grizzlies.
“We feel we’re putting a pretty good group together,” said Vernon head coach and director of player personnel Mark Ferner. “We’ll have to see what kind of chemistry evolves in camp.”
Sandhu, an 18-year-old from Richmond, has already earned a scholarship from Arizona State University Sun Devils. The 5-foot-7, 160-pound roadrunner racked up 70 points, including 55 assists, in two seasons with the Alberni Valley. He was captain last year.
“He can play anywhere, up the middle or on the wing, and I know he played the point on the powerplay in Alberni Valley,” said Ferner. “He’s a good, little player, very competitive. He’s really tight with (Viper goalie) Ty Taylor and I coached his older brother, Tyler, in Everett (WHL Silvertips). Great family, great work ethic.”
Sandhu, who turns 19 next May, rang up five goals and 40 points in his rookie year with the Dawgs.
Mokhtari compiled 19 goals and 36 points in just 47 games with the Grizzlies last year. He will also be playing NCAA hockey in 2018-19 after earning a scholarship to Colorado College Tigers.
“He can absolutely fly,” said Ferner. “He has a great shot and I think he might have led the league in shorthanded goals (four).”
A 5-foot-8, 160-pounder out of Burnaby, Mokhtari supplied 11 goals and 30 points in his rookie season with Victoria. He also celebrates his 19th birthday next May,
Viper forwards Jimmy Lambert and Steven Jandric (both going to Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks) and d-man Cameron Trott (Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves) have decided to play NCAA hockey this fall.
The Vipers camp opens Aug. 21 at Kal Tire Place with three teams scrimmaging. Vernon’s returnintg core is led by forwards Jagger Williamson, Brett Stapley and Niko Karamanis and defencemen Michael Ufberg and Chris Jandric. Taylor is back in net.
23 days after the trade the Morning Star finally announces the trade.. Another job you should take over !!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering why did it take the Vipers so long to announce this trade when the Grizzlies & Bulldogs announced these trades the day they happened (June 21 & June 23) Just because its summer, dosnt mean you should pretend your fans don't follow the team until September. We want to know whats going on, keep us updated and in the loop with the team, no matter what month or time of year it is. I also think the Morning Star could do a much better job covering the team, during the season and even in the summer. Other then just posting a recap from the previous game, trades and the odd other article through out the season, Why don't they have some stories-articles on some of the kids. Where they come from, where they played hockey last season, how they heard about Vernon and the Vipers etc. Also it would be nice to have the odd story-article during the summer. Why not contact someone returning from last season and talk to them about this coming season, ask them how there summer is going, are they training over the summer, what do they expect for this coming season etc? Especially someone like Jagger Williamson who lives here. Even call up Mark Ferner or one of the coaches and get a story on the up coming season, have the odd article-story over the summer to keep the fans interested. With just over a month away until training camp, this is when the Vipers should be marketing-getting fans ready for a new season.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head!!! This is why I enjoy your blog so much, a constant source of information. The Vipers do a horrible job of informing their fans at all times of year. We are trying to be interested but they seem to have the opinion that we don't need to be kept in the loop. With a corporate attitude like this it is no wonder fan support is dropping each year. Hopefully they get their heads out of the clouds and start treating their loyal fans with a bit of respect. The off season is just as important as the hockey season as they need to create some hype. Thank You, keep up the great work. I think we will see Jagger as this years Captain.
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