Vipers acquire veteran blueliner from Chiefs
August 7, 2018
by todd
Vernon, BC; The Vernon Vipers would like to announce the acquisition of the playing rights to 20 year old defenseman Carver Watson from the Chilliwack Chiefs in exchange for defenseman Will Dow-Kenny.
The Applewood Wisconsin, product spent last season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and spent two seasons ago with the Chilliwack Chiefs, as part of a team that went to the Fred Page Cup Finals and the Western Canada Cup.
If the name sounds familiar to some, Watson is also the younger brother of former Viper defenseman Cooper Watson, who is committed to Michigan Tech for next season.
“When you get an opportunity to add an offensive defenseman the calibre of Carver to bolster your blueline, you take it.” Says Head Coach and General Manager of the Vipers, Mark Ferner.
Ferner goes on to say, “ He’s a very talented, puck moving defenseman who has a ton of Junior A experience.”
In dealing away Will Dow-Kenny, Ferner says, “Without question, this was a difficult decision. Will Dow-Kenny will be a great player in this league.”
The Vipers would like to welcome Carver Watson and wish Will Dow-Kenny all the best with the Chiefs.
For more information please contact the Vipers Office at 250-542-6022.
Will Dow-Kenny's Player Profile:
Carver Watson's Player Profile:
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/300821/carver-watson
This is posted on the Chiefs website:
Recent News
Chiefs Acquire Dow-Kenny From Vernon
August 7, 2018
The Chiefs announced this morning the acquisition of 18 year old defenseman Will Dow-Kenny from the Vernon Vipers in exchange for the rights to 20 year old defenseman Carver Watson.
Watson spent the 2016-17 season with the Chiefs before moving to the USHL’s Green bay Gamblers last season.
Dow-Kenny was a member of the BC Major Midget League’s Fraser Valley Thunderbirds last season where he scored eight goals and added 22 assists in 34 regular season games. In seven playoff games he scored three times to go along with three assists.
Chefs General Manager and Head Coach Brian Maloney says Dow-Kenny has been on the Chiefs want list for a while.
“Will has been a player I’ve personally been watching for a while now,” said Maloney. Last season, especially during playoffs I thought Will was the best defenseman in the BCMML, playing for a fantastic organization under the guidance of Peter Hay and his staff.”
Maloney notes that a key part of Dow-Kenny’s game is his work ethic.
“Will is always one of the hardest working kids on the ice. He competes every shift. We’ve given up a lot to add him to our team but we felt as a staff that with Will being 18 years old and the strong possibility of having him on our team for a few years it was an easy decision. We are excited to have Will and his family be a part of the Chiefs.”
3 comments:
The Vipers make their first trade of the season. I was a little shocked that the Snakes traded one of their top recruits in Will Dow-Kenny. The 17 yr old defenceman played two games with the Vipers last season as an affiliated player and had recently committed to the Vipers for this year. Mark Ferner isn't afraid of trading away young telent-committed players, as he has done it in the past. Other then his stats I don't really know much about Watson. Bringing in a veteran 20 yr old never hurts and will add to the Viper defence. With the addition of Watson the Snakes have their league limit six 20 yr olds. Vernon only gets Watson for one season, where as the Chiefs will get Dow-Kenny for a few years. Is Mark Ferner done making trades before training camp? With just thirteen days until training camp, will the Vipers release their recruited-committed players for this year? I think everyone is very curious to see what kind of a team Mark Ferner and the Vipers have put together for this year.
Returning players from last years Vernon Vipers:
Forwards:
Josh Prokop 00 (Committed to Ohio State University for 2019-20)
Connor Marritt 99
Alex Swetlikoff 01 (Committed to University of Denver for 2020-21)
Niko Karamanis 98
Coleton Bilodeau 00
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise 01 (Committed to the Vernon Vipers for 2018-19)
Keyvan Mokhtari 98 (Committed to Colorado College for 2019-20)
Josh Latta 98
Defencemen:
Jack Judson 00 (Committed to Arizona State University for 2020-21)
Mitch Andres 98
Michael Young 98 (De-Committed to University of Connecticut)
I have heard that Jagger Williamson will be returning also. If so that means Mark has 7 x 20 year olds on the roster. Who could be the odd man out?
Niko Karamanis will study and play hockey this fall at Williams College, a strong academic university in northwest Massachusetts. Williams College participates in Division 3 hockey.
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