This is posted on the Vipers website:
Prokop Leaves for WHL
September 26, 2018
Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers forward Josh Prokop has opted to move on to the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League.
The 18 year old posted 21 goals last season, his first with Vipers. This season Prokop tallied a goal and four assists in 5 games.
The Vipers would like to wish Josh all the best in the future.
The Vipers next home game is Friday night when the Wenatchee Wild come to town.
Josh Prokop's Player Profile:
This is posted on the Hitmen website:
Hitmen Sign 18-Year-Old Prospect Josh Prokop
September 26, 2018
The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club today announced 18-year-old prospect Josh Prokop will join the team immediately. Prokop had started the season in the BCHL with the Vernon Vipers. He is expected to be on the ice at practice this afternoon.
“Josh is a highly skilled right winger who sees the ice very well,” said Hitmen General Manager Jeff Chynoweth. “He is both a shooter and a playmaker who gives us another forward that can play in our top six.”
The Hitmen acquired the rights to Prokop last season in a trade with the Swift Current Broncos. The November 27, 2018 deal saw Calgary obtain Conner Chaulk, Dom Schmiemann, Riley Stotts and the rights to Prokop along with goaltending prospect Ethan Hein and a second-round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft (Zac Funk) in exchange for graduating forwards Matteo Gennaro, Beck Malenstyn and a 2018 fifth-round bantam pick.
This trade unites Josh with his younger brother Luke who is in his first full WHL season.
Josh Prokop – RIGHT WING
HOMETOWN: Edmonton, AB DOB: January 30, 2000
HEIGHT: 5’10.25” WEIGHT: 170 lbs.
SHOOTS: Right
| Regular Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | Vernon Vipers | BCHL | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 2017-18 | Vernon Vipers | BCHL | 48 | 21 | 15 | 36 | 8 |
| 2016-17 | Northern Alberta Midget Prep | CSSHL | 30 | 29 | 28 | 57 | 12 |
| 2015-16 | Northern Alberta Elite 15’s | CSSHL | 28 | 24 | 26 | 50 | 12 |
Prokop had committed to attend Ohio State University in 2019/20 before making this decision to join the Hitmen. He will wear number 10 in Calgary and is expected to make his debut this weekend when the Hitmen play three games in three days.
Calgary heads to Red Deer on Friday, September 28 before starting the home opening weekend on Saturday, September 29 at 7:00 p.m. It is the Papa John’s Pizza Home Opener against the Edmonton Oil Kings.
The Hitmen return to Scotiabank Saddledome ice the next day in a Sunday, September 30 matinee against the Red Deer Rebels. It’s the annual Shrine Challenge presented by the Al Azhar Shriners Society. Game time is 4:00 p.m.
This is a huge blow to the Vipers! I thought Josh Prokop, Jimmy Lambert & Brett Stapley were our three top players last year and Prokop was one of the more consistent Vipers until his season ending injury. The Snakes had troubles scoring this year, with Prokop in the lineup.
ReplyDeleteI thought to myself in January when Swift Current traded Prokop's rights to the Calgary Hitmen, if he wasn't injured would he have gone to the Hitmen last year? Prokop from Edmonton has his younger brother in Calgary so its only fitting he goes. I did find it a little odd he left the Vipers after securing a scholarship to Ohio State for next season. Were the Hitmen scouts in Chilliwack at the Showcase enticing Prokop to head to Alberta? I wish Josh all the best in the WHL and his future hockey career. Were going to miss you!
Once the Vipers get down to two goaltenders, Vernon will have two open roster spots. I wonder if were going to see more trades or any new players arriving soon?