I just finished watching Colton's interview. Once again a huge thanks to the Vernon Vipers & of course Graham Turnbull for doing these. Once hockey returns, please don't stop. I would like to see these in the future as a regular thing. This one was very very well done by Mr. Sparrow, one of the all-time Viper fan favorites. Great to hear some of Colton's stories, but I must correct him on two. The Vipers jersey behind Graham Turnbull was not the jersey from the 99 Vipers but worn by the Vipers from two years ago. Dave Robinson did not score in overtime in Game 7 vs Spruce Grove, in fact Game 7 didn't go to overtime. Dave Robinson scored the go ahead third goal for Vernon late in the 3rd giving the Vipers a 3-2 lead before Adam Thompson scored an empty net goal giving the Snakes a 4-2 win and a 4-3 series win. I didn't know Colton was back in town and working with the Vipers. I love his idea and goal to work with the Vipers and athletes in general. I also love the fact that he is working with the Vipers and no better then a local kid and four year Viper veteran to talk with the team/kids and share his past experiences of being a Viper. It's nice to see the Glens and Jason McKee bring in Colton/a Vipers alumni in to work with the hockey club. I would like to see more alumni get involved with the team or the team get involved with the alumni. The Vipers should have an alumni game once a year. I also think the Vipers should honour there alumni in different ways. What about a Wall of Fame? Or Ring of Honor? How about a display case with Vipers and Centennial Cup/Royal Bank Cup memorabilia, photos, programs, game used jerseys, sticks etc There are a few alumni who could have there jersey retired. Connor & Kellen Jones, Hunter Bishop Wayne Dye & Jagger Williamson are few off the top of my head.
I remember that season and how Sparrow really took off late in the year. The Mulcahy to Vernon was big and once Sparrow shifted from the wing to centre when Mulcahy arrived, he went on a tear.
Graham has done an excellent job with these discussions. Well done Graham, please keep them coming!!!
While I agree it would be nice to recognize past Viper impact players I do not agree with retiring the numbers. The players can be honoured and their jerseys can be displayed but I think the numbers should continue to be available. It does not distract from the players legacy to have their number still active. Look at the Montreal Canadians who have 15 numbers retired (1,2,3,4,5,7,9,10,12,16,18,19,23,29,33) and they are now considering retiring #79 for Andrei Markov ( who? ). Let’s not get carried away!!!
Better than retiring numbers of a prominent player would be to just not assign that number for a few years. At some point the player who wore the number could come back for a ceremony at the first game of the year and pass his sweater on to a new player. It would give the fans an opportunity to cheer a former player coming back and giving his number to a new player. Legacy recognized with no retirement of numbers.
I don't mind teams retiring jerseys. I don't like when sports teams get carried away when it comes to retiring jerseys. Retiring someone's jersey in Junior hockey is a huge difference when it comes to professional sports teams. Now a days most kids play a year or two with a Junior hockey team and move on, so in my mind it takes someone very special to have his jersey/number retired by a Junior hockey team. In the Vipers case, I think Jagger Williamson & Connor & Kellen Jones fully deserve to have there jersey/numbers retired by the Vipers. I have always liked the idea of teams now starting a "Wall of Fame" or "Ring of Honor" I wish the Vipers would come up with something like this and honor past Vernon Junior hockey greats. I like the idea of honoring Wayne Dye with his Vernon Junior hockey Legends banner. The Vipers didn't retire his jersey but honored Wayne and his #8 all in one. I would like to see the Vipers continue this kind of idea and honor other Vernon Junior hockey Legends with there own Legends banner like Wayne Dye.
Great discussion, all very valid points of view. Bob, that is a very good suggestion. I like the idea of honoring past players but regarding jersey numbers... Where do you Start and Where do you Stop? Jagger, Sparrow and the Jones Boys come to mind as they were very recent players to don the Viper jersey but was their commitment, skill, value to the team or leadership far and above others? Were they considered "generational players"? If they are awarded special jersey retirement then it opens the door to others who were missed. A few examples...
Local Lanny Gare destroyed the league in scoring from 1997 - 99. He was a Viper for only 2 years but went on the play many years of professional hockey, mostly overseas. At 41 he is still a huge contributor. Aaron Volpatti was a 3 year Viper. While not a big scorer he was a fan favorite & a true "Heart & Soul" player. He went on to an NHL career & retired to Vernon. There are many others who would deserve consideration... Mark Nelson (4 yrs), Andy Zulyniak (3 yrs), Brad Farynuk (3 yrs, played overseas for many years)or even Lennie Rampone (only 2 yrs but is local was considered an outstanding leader). There are far too many others to mention, every year has at least one.
My point is that there are so many deserving players that it becomes very difficult. Not to take away from Chris Crowell or Robbie Short but was their contributions far and above others?
To clarify the Montreal Canadians comment. Elmer Lach (#16) retired in 1954. It is a wonderful story but does any hockey fan under the age of 70 know who he was? Honor the players but keep the jersey numbers active.
Great discussion, no right or wrong answers but lets just keep our fingers crossed for hockey this Fall. Go Vipers Go!!!
All of the above ideas are great but there is only one BIG problem..the City of Vernon. They will not allow any of this "Team" memorialbilia to be displayed in the arena. Every rink rink in the BCHL Interior that you go into has photos of teams from the past except for Vernon. Yes it is a shame that the Vipers cannot display their team history for everyone one to see because if they did you would be able to relate to the great articles being posted by VDHF
I have heard several stories about the City of Vernon and not listening or even talking with the Vipers on things they want, need or even an idea they have. I remember talking with Duncan Wray one night and he told me the City wouldn't give him the time of day when it come to ideas or things the team needed or wanted inside the arena. Bobby C your right, if anyone has travelled out of town to watch the Vipers play on the road, most other arenas have a section or memorabilia in and around the arena with the history of there Junior hockey team. With the amount of history we have with our Junior hockey team, it's a shame the Vipers cant display it for fans and the public to see. Wake up City of Vernon!
Speaking of banners, does anyone know where and why the Vipers Interior division championship banner they won from two years ago isn't hanging from the far wall along side the other banners? I thought they would have unveiled it before the Snakes home opener in September?
Jagger's and Colton's sweaters would look great in the Kal Tire Place rafters....c'mon Vipes ; do the right thing !
ReplyDeleteI just finished watching Colton's interview. Once again a huge thanks to the Vernon Vipers & of course Graham Turnbull for doing these. Once hockey returns, please don't stop. I would like to see these in the future as a regular thing. This one was very very well done by Mr. Sparrow, one of the all-time Viper fan favorites. Great to hear some of Colton's stories, but I must correct him on two. The Vipers jersey behind Graham Turnbull was not the jersey from the 99 Vipers but worn by the Vipers from two years ago. Dave Robinson did not score in overtime in Game 7 vs Spruce Grove, in fact Game 7 didn't go to overtime. Dave Robinson scored the go ahead third goal for Vernon late in the 3rd giving the Vipers a 3-2 lead before Adam Thompson scored an empty net goal giving the Snakes a 4-2 win and a 4-3 series win. I didn't know Colton was back in town and working with the Vipers. I love his idea and goal to work with the Vipers and athletes in general. I also love the fact that he is working with the Vipers and no better then a local kid and four year Viper veteran to talk with the team/kids and share his past experiences of being a Viper. It's nice to see the Glens and Jason McKee bring in Colton/a Vipers alumni in to work with the hockey club. I would like to see more alumni get involved with the team or the team get involved with the alumni. The Vipers should have an alumni game once a year. I also think the Vipers should honour there alumni in different ways. What about a Wall of Fame? Or Ring of Honor? How about a display case with Vipers and Centennial Cup/Royal Bank Cup memorabilia, photos, programs, game used jerseys, sticks etc There are a few alumni who could have there jersey retired. Connor & Kellen Jones, Hunter Bishop Wayne Dye & Jagger Williamson are few off the top of my head.
ReplyDeleteI remember that season and how Sparrow really took off late in the year. The Mulcahy to Vernon was big and once Sparrow shifted from the wing to centre when Mulcahy arrived, he went on a tear.
ReplyDeleteGraham has done an excellent job with these discussions. Well done Graham, please keep them coming!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree it would be nice to recognize past Viper impact players I do not agree with retiring the numbers. The players can be honoured and their jerseys can be displayed but I think the numbers should continue to be available. It does not distract from the players legacy to have their number still active. Look at the Montreal Canadians who have 15 numbers retired (1,2,3,4,5,7,9,10,12,16,18,19,23,29,33) and they are now considering retiring #79 for Andrei Markov ( who? ). Let’s not get carried away!!!
Better than retiring numbers of a prominent player would be to just not assign that number for a few years. At some point the player who wore the number could come back for a ceremony at the first game of the year and pass his sweater on to a new player. It would give the fans an opportunity to cheer a former player coming back and giving his number to a new player. Legacy recognized with no retirement of numbers.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind teams retiring jerseys. I don't like when sports teams get carried away when it comes to retiring jerseys. Retiring someone's jersey in Junior hockey is a huge difference when it comes to professional sports teams. Now a days most kids play a year or two with a Junior hockey team and move on, so in my mind it takes someone very special to have his jersey/number retired by a Junior hockey team. In the Vipers case, I think Jagger Williamson & Connor & Kellen Jones fully deserve to have there jersey/numbers retired by the Vipers. I have always liked the idea of teams now starting a "Wall of Fame" or "Ring of Honor" I wish the Vipers would come up with something like this and honor past Vernon Junior hockey greats. I like the idea of honoring Wayne Dye with his Vernon Junior hockey Legends banner. The Vipers didn't retire his jersey but honored Wayne and his #8 all in one. I would like to see the Vipers continue this kind of idea and honor other Vernon Junior hockey Legends with there own Legends banner like Wayne Dye.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion, all very valid points of view. Bob, that is a very good suggestion. I like the idea of honoring past players but regarding jersey numbers... Where do you Start and Where do you Stop? Jagger, Sparrow and the Jones Boys come to mind as they were very recent players to don the Viper jersey but was their commitment, skill, value to the team or leadership far and above others? Were they considered "generational players"? If they are awarded special jersey retirement then it opens the door to others who were missed. A few examples...
ReplyDeleteLocal Lanny Gare destroyed the league in scoring from 1997 - 99. He was a Viper for only 2 years but went on the play many years of professional hockey, mostly overseas. At 41 he is still a huge contributor.
Aaron Volpatti was a 3 year Viper. While not a big scorer he was a fan favorite & a true "Heart & Soul" player. He went on to an NHL career & retired to Vernon.
There are many others who would deserve consideration... Mark Nelson (4 yrs), Andy Zulyniak (3 yrs), Brad Farynuk (3 yrs, played overseas for many years)or even Lennie Rampone (only 2 yrs but is local was considered an outstanding leader). There are far too many others to mention, every year has at least one.
My point is that there are so many deserving players that it becomes very difficult. Not to take away from Chris Crowell or Robbie Short but was their contributions far and above others?
To clarify the Montreal Canadians comment. Elmer Lach (#16) retired in 1954. It is a wonderful story but does any hockey fan under the age of 70 know who he was? Honor the players but keep the jersey numbers active.
Great discussion, no right or wrong answers but lets just keep our fingers crossed for hockey this Fall. Go Vipers Go!!!
All of the above ideas are great but there is only one BIG problem..the City of Vernon. They will not allow any of this "Team" memorialbilia to be displayed in the arena. Every rink rink in the BCHL Interior that you go into has photos of teams from the past except for Vernon. Yes it is a shame that the Vipers cannot display their team history for everyone one to see because if they did you would be able to relate to the great articles being posted by VDHF
ReplyDeleteI have heard several stories about the City of Vernon and not listening or even talking with the Vipers on things they want, need or even an idea they have. I remember talking with Duncan Wray one night and he told me the City wouldn't give him the time of day when it come to ideas or things the team needed or wanted inside the arena. Bobby C your right, if anyone has travelled out of town to watch the Vipers play on the road, most other arenas have a section or memorabilia in and around the arena with the history of there Junior hockey team. With the amount of history we have with our Junior hockey team, it's a shame the Vipers cant display it for fans and the public to see. Wake up City of Vernon!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of banners, does anyone know where and why the Vipers Interior division championship banner they won from two years ago isn't hanging from the far wall along side the other banners? I thought they would have unveiled it before the Snakes home opener in September?
ReplyDelete