This is posted on the Vipers website:
Vipers Hire Jason McKee as Head Coach and GM
May 7, 2019
Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers have made a change behind the bench for the 19-20 season.
The Club is pleased to announce Jason McKee as the Head Coach and General Manager.
“We are excited to welcome Jason, along with his wife Care-Ann and daughters Brianna and Brynn to the Vipers!”, said Executive Vice-President Todd Miller. “It is an exciting time for the Vipers organization and the addition of Jason McKee’s passion, leadership skills and winning tradition completely align with our vision for the future.”
The Vipers would like to thank Mark Ferner for his leadership and dedication and have extended an offer for Mark to remain with the organization in an alternate role.
Spring Camp starts for the Vipers this weekend and the organization is finalizing hockey schools and fall camps and will extend communication when dates are finalized.
The Vernon Vipers organization appreciates the tremendous fan support from the community of Vernon and surrounding areas.
If you have any further questions please contact the Vipers at 250-542-6022
This is posted on the 107.5 Beach Radio website:
Vipers Hire New Coach/GM; Ferner Ends Term
Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon
Pete McIntyre
May 07, 2019
The Vernon Vipers will have a new coach and general manager next season.
The BC Hockey League club, owned by brothers John and Tom Glen, has announced the hiring of Jason McKee to the positions.
“We are excited to welcome Jason, along with his wife Carey-Ann and daughters Brianna and Brynn to the Vipers,” said Todd Miller, Executive Vice President with the team. “It’s an exciting time for the Vipers organization, and the addition of Jason McKee’s passion, leadership skills and winning tradition completely align with our vision for the future.”
The 40 year old McKee is a native of Lloydminster Alberta who previously coached the Spruce Grove Saints in the Alberta Junior League and most recently, the Vancouver Giants of the Western League from 2016 to 2018. (Click here for more).
New Vipers coach and GM Jason McKee talks with Beach Radio’s Pete McIntyre about his hockey background and what his plans are for the team:
The Vipers are also extending thanks to Mark Ferner for his leadership and dedication and extended an offer to Ferner to remain with the organization in an alternate role.
Ferner had two stints with the Vipers, first from 2007 to 2011 before leaving for coaching jobs in the Western Hockey league, and returning to Vernon for the 2015-16 season until present.
His teams won back to back Royal Bank National Junior ‘A’ Hockey championships in 2009 and 2010.
The Vipers, under Ferner, also made it to the RBC Cup Final in 2011, before losing in the final.
This season, Ferner guided the Vipers to a fourth place finish in the Interior Division, with the team excelling in the playoffs, making it all the way to the BCHL Final before losing in 4 straight games to the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The 53 year old Regina native was a defenceman during his playing days, drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in Round 10, 194th overall, in 1983.
He played in 91 NHL games for the Sabres, Washington Capitals, Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Detroit Red Wings, and also suited up for numerous minor league tams before retiring in 2001.
As I stated on this blog long ago, Look for the Vipers to become Spruce grove saints west and this confirms it. Hockey Alberta the Vipers will become. Mark and his staff have done an outstanding job with the Vipers over the years and he will be just fine somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteI first heard about this about three weeks ago but was told to keep quiet until it was announced. I had heard from my sources that Jason McKee was seen at the Vipers home playoff games hanging out with John Glen.
ReplyDeleteAfter looking back at Mark Ferner's history and record with the Vipers and with what he had to work with this past season and how well the team finished, I was a little surprised his contract wasn't renewed. But on the other side of the fence hearing all the rumors go around town/Kal Tire Place about the Vipers new ownership wanting to bring in their own coaching staff, I wasn't surprised to see a new coach come in. Lot's of rumors this past season that the Vipers new owners and coaching staff didn't get along or see eye to eye on things through out the season. I for one don't take these rumors too seriously. I have had season tickets for the past 29 years and heard almost every rumor possible over the years. I take it with a grain of salt and wait until a news release or press release is announced before I believe most rumors.
Mark Ferner did a tremendous job with the Vipers over his two stints in Vernon and want to wish him all the best in the future and thank him for the job he did over the years with the Vipers. No offense to Mark but you don't see many older coaches in Junior hockey anymore. The games changed, the players have changed and your beginning to see a lot more younger coaches in the BCHL.
Jason McKee and John Glen have known each other for a while now. John's son played for the Spruce Grove Saints when McKee was behind the bench. John & Jason both worked for the Vancouver Giants but not at the same time.
McKee spent ten seasons with the Saints from 2006-2016 was also head coach of the Vancouver Giants for two seasons (2016-2018).
Here is the Saints record with McKee as their coach-gm
2010-11 48-8-4 Won league championship-Lost in Doyle Cup
2011-12 46-6-8 Lost in third round
2012-13 35-16-9 Won league championship-Lost in Doyle Cup
2013-14 47-10-3 Won league championship-Lost in Doyle Cup
2014-15 48-7-5 Won league championship-Lost in Doyle Cup
2015-16 49-7-4 Lost in league final
You have to wonder what other changes will see over the off season.