Day 1 Report From Vipers Training Camp:

I have had season tickets since 1990 and been following/watching junior hockey In Vernon for over thirty five years. I have missed only four Vipers home games since 2004. Here are my thought's and view's from Day 1 of Vipers training camp.

I stopped by Kal Tire Place after work this evening to catch opening day of Vipers training camp. Each game/scrimmage consists of two thirty minute non stop run periods with a full ice clean between periods. A penalty is an automatic penalty shot. Games go to a shoot out if the game is tied after two periods.

This morning saw Team Gold vs Team White play at 12:00pm and Team Red vs Team White at 2:30pm.

I caught the final eight minutes of the opening period and the remainder of the game in final game/scrimmage of the night. It was tied 2-2 when I arrived at the arena.

Starting Goaltenders:

Team Red: Dalan Narleau
Team Gold: Kobe Grant

Dawson Pelletier started the 2nd period for Team Red, while Ross Hawryluk started for Team Gold.

Team Gold defeated Team Red 5-4 in front of about 75-80 people inside Kal Tire Place. Team Gold took a 3-2 lead into the 2nd and final period before Team Red scored two quick back to back goals early into the final frame to grab a 4-3 lead before Team Gold tied the game and then scored late for the eventual winner. Team Red pulled the goaltender with about 1:52 left but couldn't force a shoot out. I thought both teams were fairly evenly matched through the game.

Here is a list of players, I thought stood out/Played well

Team Red:

Brett Fudger (Recruited/Committed) Was one of if not a kid who stood out a lot through out the scrimmage tonight. It seemed like every shift, Fudger had control of the puck or was involved in the play. Was creating/generating chances often in and around the goal.

Brendan Pigeon Isn't the biggest kid but has some wheels. Very quick on his feet, likes to go to the net, always looking for an opportunity in front. Caught my attention.

Team Gold:

Nicholas Cherkowski (Returning from last season) Had control of the puck/play often. Was driving towards the goal, making plays happen. Was getting shots/pucks towards the net. Played well.

News & Notes:

Four of the Vipers new recruits/committed players playing this evening

Vipers owner Tom Glen's Son is attending camp. Jack Glen attended the Vipers Spring camp in May

Rumors around the rink tonight, is that former Vernon Vipers forward Coleton Bilodeau has quit hockey to go back to school

The Vipers have eleven players back from last year's team

Training camp will continue tomorrow with three games/scrimmages. Team Red vs Team White at 9am Team Gold vs Team White at 1:30am & Team Red vs Team Gold at 2pm

Here is a look at all three training camp teams/rosters

Team Red:

Dawson Pelletier 2001 G
Dalan Marleau 2001 G

Trey Taylor 2002 D (Returning from last season)
Griffin Barr 2002 D
Graham Skinner 2002 D
Keigo Hachisuka 2001 D (Recruited/Committed)

Brett Fudger 2001 F (Recruited/Committed)
Elan Bar-Lev-Wise 2001 F (Returning from last season)
Justin Nakagawa 2002 F
Logan Cash 2000 F (Returning from last season)
Hudson Foley 2002 F
Cameron MacDonald 2002 F (Recruited/Committed)
Ethan Anstey 2002 F
Jack Glen 2001 F (Attended spring camp this year)
Brendan Pigeon 2001 F (Attended spring camp this year)
Luke German 2002 F (Attended spring camp this year)
Jakob Jones 2003 F (Attended spring camp this year)
Ethan O'Rourke 2002 F (Attended training camp last year)

Team White:

Max Palaga 2000 G (Returning from last season)

Blake Bryce 2002 D (Attended spring camp this year)
Brendan Kim 2000 D (Returning from last season)
Ty Marchant 2001 D (Attended spring camp this year)
Ryan MacLean 2001 D (Recruited/Committed)
Ben Lake 2001 D

Ben Sanderson 2000 F (Returning from last season)
Ben Helgeson 2000 F (Returning from last season)
Isaac Suppin 2002 F (Played 9 games as an AP last year)
Nic Bolin 2001 F (Attended training camp last year)
Jacob Dorohoy 2002 F
Nicholas Teale 2002 F (Attended training camp the last two years)
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell 2003 F
Jojo Tanaka-Campbell 2001 F (Recruited/Committed)
Matt Kowalski 1999 F (Returning from last season)
Elvis Gorontzy-Slack 2002 F
Dylan Wightman 2003 F
Alex Robins 2002 F

Team Gold:

Ross Hawryluk 2001 G
Kobe Grant 2000 G (Attended spring camp this year)

Landon Fuller 1999 D (Returning from last season)
Brendan Kirschner 2002 D
Nicholas Kent 2001 D (Acquired In a Trade with Buffalo Jr Sabres)
Jason Carroll 2003 D
Nolan Matthews 2004 D
Christian Felton 2000 D (Recruited/Committed)

Colby Feist 2002 F (Attended training camp the last two years)
Connor Marritt 1999 F (Returning from last season)
Nicholas Cherkowski 2000 (Returning from last season)
Arman Hosseinpour 2003 F
Connor Sleeth 1999 F (Acquired In a trade with Kanata Lasers)
Curtis Hammond 2001 F
Kevin-Thomas Walters 2002 F (Attended training camp last year)
Ryan Shostak 2001 F (Recruited/Committed)
Gerrit Lindhout 2001 F
Mattias Hohlweg 2002 F
Tenzin Bogardis 2003 F
Neil Kingston 2000 F

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Here are a some pictures I took inside Kal Tire Place during Vipers training camp