This is posted on the Vipers website:
Vipers Acquire Vernon Product Kowalski from West Kelowna
November 13, 2018
Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers are pleased to announce they have made a trade, acquiring local product Matt Kowalski from the West Kelowna Warriors in exchange for defenseman Austin Chorney.
The 19 year old Vernon product comes home after a solid start offensively with the Warriors, tallying 5 goals and 8 assists in 19 games. He had an injury plagued 2017-18 season, albeit a productive one with 7 goals and 7 assists in just 24 games.
“It’s never easy to make a trade, but an opportunity to acquire a talent player who comes from Vernon came up and his skill set will fit in nicely with this group.” Says Head Coach and GM of the Vipers, Mark Ferner.
Kowalski started his BCHL career in 2015-16 in Nanaimo with the Clippers.
In trading Austin Chorney, Mark Ferner goes on to say, “Austin was great for us. Did everything we asked of him and did it very well. We feel this will be a good fit not only for each team, but for the individual players as well.”
Chorney had a goal and two assists with the Vipers this season.
The Vipers would like to wish Austin well with the Warriors and welcome Matt to the Vipers family.
Kowalski is expected to make his debut this week.
For more information please contact the Vipers Office at 250-542-6022.
Matt Kowalski's Player Profile:
Austin Chorney's Player Profile:
This is posted on the Warriors website:
TRADE: WARRIORS SOLIDIFY THE BACKEND IN A DEAL WITH THE VIPERS
November 13, 2018
WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club announced on Tuesday that the team has acquired defenseman Austin Chorney (’00) from the Vernon Vipers in exchange for forward Matthew Kowalski (’99).
Chorney, 18, joins the Warriors after playing in 15 games this year with the Vernon Vipers while spending last season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Chorney entered the BCHL in 2016-2017 as a 16 year old, he split time with the Chilliwack Chiefs and finished the season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The 6’0”, 221-pound defender brings an element of size and grit to the backend while still possessing some skill in his game. So far this season, Chorney had amassed one goal and two assists for three points. Last year, he compiled 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points in 51 games played as a 17 year old.
The Abbostford, BC native comes to the Warriors with plenty of BCHL experience as well as a commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Chorney will also be reunited with former teammate Parm Dhaliwal. Both Parm and Austin spent the 2015-2016 season at Yale Hockey Academy for the prep team.
“By acquiring Austin Chorney, we believe our defence core is now more well-rounded and we as a team are better prepared to win in the playoffs,” commented Warriors Head Coach and General Manager Geoff Grimwood, “Austin is a player our staff has been keen on for quite a while and we are excited to be able to acquire a player of his caliber.”
Kowalski, 19, was in his second season with the Warriors after being acquired in an offseason trade before the 2017-2018 season. The Vernon, British Columbia native spent the 2016-2017 season in Nanaimo with the Clippers playing in 44 games registering 8 goals and 6 assists for 14 points. Matt would again put up 14 points with 7 goals and 7 assists in his first season in West Kelowna, only playing in 24 games due to an injury that sidelined the forward for most of the season. This season after serving a 4 game suspension to begin the year, he would play in 19 games finding the back of the net 5 times while adding 8 assists for 13 points on the campaign so far.
“It’s never easy to trade a player like Matt Kowalski with the speed and skill he possesses,” continued Grimwood, “But in order to acquire a player like Austin Chorney, we had to part with a player that matches the value to the team he is on.”
The Warriors would like to welcome Austin and his family to the City of West Kelowna and the Warriors organization and would also like to thank Matthew for his contributions to the club and the City of West Kelowna over the past two years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
The Warriors are right back in action tonight as the Penticton Vees come to town for the beginning of a home and home with their interior division rival. Puck drop is 7:00 PM with tickets still available for this matchup with the Vees and other home games this season. Visit the West Kelowna Warriors website and check out our new ticketing system where you can pick and choose your own seats.
5 comments:
And other changes. Max Palaga is no longer listed on the Vipers' roster. Only one goalie on the roster so we can expect more changes. And a forward has joined the team. Garret Worth from Minnesota. He has a scholarship at Arizona State for next year. He's 19 and has scored well in Minnesota high school hockey.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/380276/garret-worth
With eight defencemen on their roster, it was only a matter of time when the Vipers would deal a d-man. I was a little surprised Chorney was the odd man out. I really liked his offensive side but noticed he has stayed away from rushing the puck up ice lately, at least not as much as he did when he first joined the Snakes. At the start of the season Chorney carried the puck up ice, going end to end often, moving the puck/play up ice, opening ice for the forwards, was very good.
In Matt Kowalski I don't know much about him. I recognize the name and obviously remember watching him play for the Warriors but don't recall him standing out in any of the Vipers/Warriors games. He's a local boy that has BCHL experience. Not the biggest kid and doesn't have big numbers. He has thirteen points this season in just nineteen games is point point off his career high the past two years in West Kelowna & Nanaimo.
I wonder if he will be in the lineup tomorrow night in Trail?
I don't recall the Vipers & Warriors ever making a trade with each other. Can anyone else recall a Vipers/Warriors trade from past years?
Mac Ferner came from WK. Bryce Kakoske came from them also.
I forgot about the Mac Ferner trade. The Vipers acquired Bryce Kakoske from the Surrey Eagles for Danny McSween & future considerations.
I thought long and hard and did a little research and come up with the Vipers acquiring Hunter Zandee from the Warriors for future considerations and also trading Spencer Morse to West Kelowna for future considerations.
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