This is posted on the Vipers website:
Vipers Announce Associate Coaches
August 19, 2019
Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers are pleased to announce the additions of Larry Draper and Eric Morrissette to the coaching staff.
Larry has spent the last 9 seasons involved in Junior A Hockey. Nine years ago he worked with Jason McKee in Spruce Grove where they went on to battle the Vipers in back to back Doyle Cups. From there he has held Assistant Coach and Assistant GM roles with the Bonnyville Pontiacs and Drayton Valley Thunder.
“It’s such and a privilege and an honor to be a part of an incredible organization,” says Draper. “Building off the success last season and continuing to help individual development is a main priority.
Jason McKee, Head Coach and GM says that having an experienced coach like Larry on the hockey and management side is a huge gain. “He has a positive and up beat personality that really resonates with the players,” says McKee.
Eric Morrissette comes from a development background with over 20 years of experience working with players from Novice to the professional levels. He’s worked most recently at the collegiate level of both men and women’s hockey as well as being the Skill Development Coach with the Spruce Grove Saints.
“I’m very excited to be a part of the Vipers staff and more importantly the Vernon Hockey Community,” says Morrissette. “I’m looking forward to working with families and coaches in the Vernon area and continue to focus on hockey development.”
“Eric is a fantastic communicators,” says Jason McKee. “He is a relationship builder with the players and can really help them in terms of their individual skill development.”
Owner of the Vipers, John Glen had this to say about the incoming coaches, “We are very pleased to add Larry and Eric to the coaching staff. Both bring a wealth of hockey experience and knowledge to the program.
Training camp is currently underway with the Blue and White game slated for Wednesday night.
The Vipers play their first preseason game at home on Friday night when the Grande Prairie Storm come to town.
1 comment:
Oh I'm glad to hear the Vipers announced there new assistant coaches before the season started. Jason McKee said Larry Draper was returning but he was still looking for another assistant coach. I was wondering if they had found someone.
I heard nothing but great things about Larry Draper from Viper fans, down to the office staff and players. Last year I heard the kids/Vipers loved Larry and Larry himself really liked Vernon. I know of a few Viper fans who chat with him before games, and said he's very easy going, easy to talk too and enjoys mingling/chatting with the fans.
I don't know much of anything on Eric Morrissette other then what was said in the press release today. I do remember spotting him in the crowd at almost every Vipers game, late towards the end of the regular season and wondered who he was. Someone told me he was involved with the Vipers, but didn't know how. I spotted him at the Vipers spring camp in May and figured he was involved with the Vipers in some department. Welcome to Vernon Erik!
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