This is posted on the Morning Star website:
Vipers trim roster
Kevin Mitchell
Aug. 28, 2018
Mark Ferner has solved his crease cop situation. Now, he’s dealing with an abundance of 20-year-olds and tweaking his defensive core.
After Week 1 of training camp and a pair of exhibition tilts with the Merritt Centennials, the Vernon Vipers head coach/GM has trimmed his B.C. Hockey League roster to 31 players. Ferner will make final releases following two pre-season games this weekend with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
Ferner had already locked up Boston High School star commit Aidan Porter so the goaltending battle really turned into a three-man race won by Aidan Hosein of Halifax (played for St. Andrew’s College last year). Odd men out are Geo Wilson of Halfmoon Bay, B.C. (Pursuit of Excellence, Kelowna) and Johnny Derrick of West Van Academy Prep. Hosein set a Nova Scotia Major Midget League record with seven shutouts two years ago.
Porter, who has an NCAA Division 1 scholarship to Bentley Warriors near Boston for next season, and Hosein are both 19, while Wilson and Derrick are a year younger.
Veteran defenceman Mitch Andres of Minnesota sadly said goodbye to his four younger brothers, who were released and are headed to the Steinbach Pistons of the Manitoba Junior League for a tryout.
Vernon minor hockey products Nick Cherkowski (2000 birthday) and Nic Bolin (2001) remain in camp.
Vernon minor hockey products Nick Cherkowski (2000 birthday) and Nic Bolin (2001) remain in camp.
Fifth-year F Jagger Williamson is recovering from shingles and Ferner has shut the captain down from practice this week…Mitch Andres, who suffered an eye injury on Day 1 of camp, is on Injured Reserve.
1 comment:
I really liked goaltender Johnny Derrick last year at the Vipers training camp and again this year. He was my pick for the backup job behind Aidan Porter. I thought he had a heck of a game in Merritt Friday.
It looks like the Vipers have signed 16 players meaning they only have seven open roster spots left to fill the league limit 23 man roster. With still 31 players in camp it will be interesting to see who stays and who goes. I wish the media would release all players cut/released. Let the diehard fans follow their team a little more closely.
I sure hope Jagger Williamson & Mitch Andres aren't out of the Vipers lineup for too long.
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