It looks like Vernon Vipers goaltender Koen MacInnes will re-join the
Saskatoon Blades after the Christmas break.
Here is the full story from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix newspaper,
https://thestarphoenix.com/sports/hockey/saskatoon-blades/whl-saskatoon-blades-rhinehart-macinnes-getting-some-junior-a-seasoning
The Vipers signed MacInnes October 27th 2020
Koen MacInnes's Player Profile:
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/422353/koen-macinnes
If true what was the point bringing MacInnes in for a few games? This current schedule is only exhibition & really means nothing. Why not concentrate your energies & invest time on two goalies who will stay? How about Clarke & Grant? Are they still excited to be in Vernon? Questionable. Moves like this AGAIN show Glen & McKee's disregard for their players and why elite players shy away for coming here. It is disgraceful in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Western Hockey League announced players can be loaned to Junior A teams until the WHL season starts and players would have to return, I thought why even bring in a kid from the dub for only a few games or month? Why not try and groom the kids who want to play for you or want to play Junior A and get a scholarship. These games are only exhibition and mean nothing, if your not happy with your roster bring in a kid via trade or who was cut from a previous Junior A team and let him play, get a good look at him instead of wasting your time on a kid from the WHL who will making his way back mid December. When the Vipers first acquired MacInnes, Prokop and Carpendale that was my first question, are they here for the season or until the Western Hockey League season starts? If their here for the season, then that's fine but this weekend is the last weekend for exhibition games and no regular season schedule has been released. So you bring in three kids for four games, maybe a few more at most?
ReplyDeleteRead this Statement from the Olds Grizzlys,
ReplyDeletehttps://www.oldsgrizzlys.ca/media-centre/news-archives.html?rYear=2020&nID=17774
Good for the Olds Grizzlies, they are staying true to their recruits. All of their recruits may not make the final roster but at least they are giving them playing time & giving them every opportunity to show their talents. The Vipers are of the opposite thinking, certainly with MacInnes. They have given valuable ice time. which is very short due to Covid, and giving it to players who are only using the Vipers for "practice time". I applaud the Grizzlies for taking this position, it will resonate well with their players. Obviously Olds is a classy organization.
ReplyDeleteIf he leaves, I want dibs on his jersey. Seriously, he shouldn't be here if he's only temporarily taking time away from Clarke and Grant.
ReplyDeleteI doubt very much that Josh Prokop will be going back to Calgary or any WHL team because each team only carries three 20 year olds and his numbers for the last two years have not been that good. With that being said it still sucks that the Glenn's are trying to live out their WHL Dreams with a BCHL team.
ReplyDeleteThe Vipers have always brought in a 20 year old WHL player. Usually this has been a very positive experience for both the club & the player, Prokop falls into this category. He will provide leadership and much needed scoring to a young team. His chances of returning to the WHL are slim because the three WHL 20 year old spots are reserved for NHL draft picks or elite players. Josh is neither so very likely will stay. He is a great pick up for Vernon & we are excited that he decided to finish his Junior career here. Welcome home Josh.
ReplyDeleteAs much as Prokop’s addition is welcomed the short stay by MacInnes is a joke. He was only getting ice time at the expense of players who have made a commitment to be here. It is poor decisions like the MacInnes one that leave a bad taste for Viper fans. I hope Glen & McKee take a lesson from the Olds Grizzlies on how to treat players.
Has anyone checked the success of the Olds program over the last few years ??????
ReplyDeleteIs it as bad as the Vipers reputation over those same years?
DeleteAs a parent I would rather have my kid play for olds with that kind of integrity and lose than pay for him to play in Vernon only to have him get later dropped for some guy who doesn't really want to be there and isn't sticking around.
I'm sure McInnes loves the idea of some hard practice before his real season starts, but what do the Vipers get out of it ther than another stain on a once great reputation and selling out the kids they actually recruited?