Jagger Williamson played his final game with the Vernon Vipers Wednesday night in a 3-1 loss In Game 4 of the Fred Page Cup Finals vs the Prince George Spruce Kings. The question now is, should the Vipers retire Williamson's jersey #11?
On February 23rd 2019 the final game of the regular season Williamson tied former Vernon Lakers-Vipers forward Garth Gartner's franchise record all-time games played record playing in his 233rd career game. Due to injuries and suspensions Williamson would have broke Gartner's record missed 57 games with the Vipers over the last five seasons.
In 233 career games (2014-2019) Williamson has collected (54-goals-119-assists-173-points)
Jagger Williamson's Player Profile:
Garth Gartner played four seasons in Vernon (1994-1998) with the Vernon Lakers & Vernon Vipers. In 233 career games Gartner collected (78-goals-89-assists-167-points).
Garth Gartner's Player Profile:
Vernon junior hockey all-time games played:
1 Garth Gartner Vernon Lakers/Vipers 1994-1998 233 games played
1 Jagger Willaimson Vernon Vipers 2014-2019 233 games played
2 Rob Short Vernon Vipers 2005-2010 229 games played
3 Kori Davison Vernon Vipers 1996-2000 213 games played
3 Chris Crowell Vernon Vipers 2005-2009 213 games played
4 Mark Nelson Vernon Vipers 2001-2005 209 games played
5 Colton Sparrow Vernon Vipers 2010-2014 188 games played
Williamson is listed 12th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time points list with 173
Williamson is listed 34th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time goals list with 54
Williamson is listed 6th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time assists list with 119
Williamson is listed 69th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time penalty minutes list with 152
Former Vernon Vipers forwards Rob Short & Chris Crowell are the only two players in franchise history to have their jersey's retired.
Short played parts of five seasons with his hometown Vipers had his jersey #20 retired September 18th 2010 while Crowell played four seasons in Vernon had his jersey #18 retired January 29th 2016.
I think Williamson deserves to have his jersey retired. On the topic I also think former Vernon Essos forward Wayne Dye & former Vernon Vipers forwards Mark Nelson & Connor/Kellen Jones should have their jerseys retired or at least be considered.
If anything I think the Vipers should look at starting a "Wall of Fame" somewhere inside Kal Tire Place and honouring former Vernon Junior hockey greats from past years. I really like what the Penticton Vees have done with their "Ring of Honour" Inside the South Okanagan Events Centre.
If anything I think the Vipers should look at starting a "Wall of Fame" somewhere inside Kal Tire Place and honouring former Vernon Junior hockey greats from past years. I really like what the Penticton Vees have done with their "Ring of Honour" Inside the South Okanagan Events Centre.
#8 Wayne Dye played four seasons in Vernon (1967-1972) with the Essos.
Dye scored 93 goals in 95 career games with the Essos holds the franchise record for all-time goals with 93
Dye is listed 7th on Vernon Junior hockey's all-time points list with 189
#18 Mark Nelson played four seasons in Vernon & Prince George (2001-2005)
Nelson is listed 3rd on Vernon junior hockey's all-time games played list with 92
Nelson is listed 34th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time goals list with 54
Nelson is listed 8th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time assists list with 115
Nelson is listed 4th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time points list with 207
Mark Nelson's Player Profile:
Connor & Kellen Jones both played parts of four seasons in Vernon (2006-2010). Both brothers won back to back Royal Bank Cup Championships with the Vipers.
#10 Connor Jones played in 163 career games with the Vipers collected (80-goals-118-assists-198-points)
Connor Jones is listed 23rd on Vernon junior hockey's all-time games played list with 163
Connor Jones is listed 6th on Vernon Junior hockey's all-time points list with 198
Connor Jones is listed 7th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time goals list with 80
Connor Jones is listed 7th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time assists list with 118
Connor Jones Player Profile:
#15 Kellen Jones played in 154 career games with the Vipers collected (39-goals-134-assists-173-points)
Kellen Jones is listed 26th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time games played list with 154
Kellen Jones is listed 13th on Vernon Junior hockey's all-time points list with 173
Kellen Jones is listed 79th on Vernon junior hockey's all-time goals list with 39
Kellen Jones Player Profile:
A Wall of Fame sounds great but my understanding is that the City of Vernon will not allow this or anything that resembles that. The relationship between the Vipers and the City of Vernon sucks big time cause they control everything and anything inside the walls of the rink. Go inside every other rink in the Interior division and you'll find the team hockey history displayed proudly by the city..team pictures , history and accomplishments. A great idea VDHF but good luck finding a person at the City or Parks and Rec with any common sense to get this great idea going
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of honoring Williamson by displaying his jersey but I am not in favor or "retiring" the number. I don't think they should have done that with #12 (Crowell) & #20 (Short) either. Just hang the jersey with the name & number but allow the number to still be used. You are not diminishing any of their achievements or accomplishments by allowing any future players the number. You only need to look at the Montreal Canadians to see how retiring numbers has gotten carried away with #1,#2,#3,#4,#5,#7,#9,#10,#12,#16,#18,#19,#23,#28 & #23 no longer available. The Habs have even retired #5,#12 & #16 twice honoring two different players each and there is a push to retire #79 (Markov). Crazy!!!
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