Saturday, July 31, 2021

Bourgeois Commits To Vernon Vipers:

16 year old defenceman Adam Bourgeois has committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2021-22 season.

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Adam Bourgeois Commits to Vipers | Vernon Vipers

Adam Bourgeois's Player Profile:

Adam Bourgeois - Elite Prospects

Idaho Steelheads Add Former Vipers Andrusiak & Fowlie To Teams Protected List:

The ECHL announced their protected list as submitted by each of its member teams.

This is the first of a several-step process in which ECHL teams use to reserve the rights to ECHL contracted players for the 2021-22 season. The ECHL Idaho Steelheads have 20 players on their protected list. Two of the twenty players are former Vernon Vipers forwards Zach Andrusiak & Cody Fowlie.

Here is the press release from the Idaho Steelheads website,

Steelheads Submit 2021-22 Protected List (idahosteelheads.com)

Andrusiak was suppose to play last season with the ECHL Idaho Steelheads. The Steelheads opt out for the 2020-21 season allowing Andrusiak to sign with another club but would have their rights reverted back to their original team for the 2021-22 season. The ECHL Orlando Solar Bears signed Andrusiak January 22nd 2021.

Andrusiak played the 2020-21 season with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears before being released June 5th 2021. In 22 games last season with the Solar Bears, Andrusiak collected (1-goal-3-assists-4-points).

Andrusiak played five seasons in the Western Hockey League with Tri-Cities, Seattle, Prince Albert & Everett before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Idaho Steelheads August 8th 2019.

Andrusiak started the 2015-16 season with the Western Hockey League Tri-City Americans before being released. The Vernon Vipers signed Andrusiak October 1st 2015. Andrusiak was released November 5th 2015. In 15 games with the Vipers, Andrusiak collected (0-goals-2-assists-2-points).

Zach Andrusiak's Player Profile:

Zack Andrusiak - Elite Prospects

The ECHL Idaho Steelheads signed Fowlie September 3rd 2020 but Fowlie never played a single game. Fowlie played the past two seasons in Romania with the ASC Brasov Wolves. Fowlie recently signed with the Ferencvarosi TC for the 2021-22 season. Ferencvarosi TC is a professional Hungarian ice hockey team.

Fowlie played five seasons at the University of Regina before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Jacksonville Icemen February 15th 2018. Fowlie played two years in Jacksonville before heading to Romania to play with the ASC Wolves.

Fowlie played parts of three seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips before being released in 2012. The Vernon Vipers signed Fowlie October 16th 2012. Fowlie played three games with the Vipers before being signed by the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets October 22nd 2012. Fowlie finished his junior hockey league career with the Rockets. 

Cody Fowlie's Player Profile;

Cody Fowlie - Elite Prospects

Friday, July 30, 2021

Rampton Commits To Vernon Vipers:

16 year old forward Greye Rampton has committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2021-22 season.

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Greye Rampton To Join Snakes | Vernon Vipers

Greye Rampton's Player Profile:

Greye Rampton - Elite Prospects

Greye Rampton's recruiting profile,

Greye Rampton's Men's Ice Hockey Recruiting Profile (ncsasports.org)

Rampton attended the Chilliwack Chiefs 2020 Spring Prospect Camp,

Chiefs Spring Prospect Teams - Chilliwack Chiefs

Warriors Trade Ex Viper Suppin To Canmore Eagles:

The West Kelowna Warriors have traded former Vernon Vipers forward Isaac

Suppin to the Alberta Junior Hockey League Canmore Eagles.

Follow transactions on the BCHL website,

Transactions | BCHL League Site

Suppin split last season between the Eagles & Warriors. The Eagles signed Suppin June 4th 2020 traded Suppin to the West Kelowna Warriors February 24th 2021. Last season Suppin played two games with the Eagles and seven games with the Warriors. 

Suppin attended the Vernon Vipers Spring Camp & Training Camp in 2019. Suppin played in one
exhibition game with the Vernon Vipers in 2019 before being cut/released. Suppin was an affiliated player with the Vernon Vipers for two seasons. Suppin went pointless in 9 games with the 2018-19 Vernon Vipers and had one goal in 4 games with the 2019-20 Vernon Vipers. 

Isaac Suppin's Player Profile:

Isaac Suppin - Elite Prospects

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Saskatchewan Roughriders Nickname Former Vipers Trainer Robinson "Diesel"

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have started calling former Vernon Vipers trainer/equipment manager Ty Robinson "Diesel"

Here is the full story from www.kamloopsthisweek.com,

Saskatchewan Roughriders hire Diesel-powered Robinson, son of Kamloops Blazers' trainer, Toledo | Kamloops This Week

Robinson spent the past three seasons as trainer/equipment manager with the Vernon Vipers from 2018-2021 before signing a contract with the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders in late June 2021 as the teams new Assistant equipment manager.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Maine Mariners Add Vipers Alumni McNicholas To Teams Protected List:

The ECHL announced their protected list as submitted by each of its member

teams. This is the first of a several-step process in which ECHL teams use to reserve the rights to ECHL contracted players for the 2021-22 season. The ECHL Maine Mariners have seventeen players on their protected list, one being former Vernon Vipers forward Michael McNicholas. 

Here is the press release from the Maine Mariners website,

MARINERS ANNOUNCE INITIAL PROTECTED LIST - Maine Mariners (marinersofmaine.com)

McNicholas played last season in the ECHL with the Utah Grizzlies, Tulsa Oilers & Indy Fuel. 

McNicholas was suppose to start the 2020-21 season with the ECHL Maine Mariners after re-signing with the team July 6th 2020. The Mariners suspended the 2020-21 season under the league's policy for COVID-19 this allowing McNicholas to sign with another club but would have their rights reverted back to their original team for the 2021-22 season. The Mariners are set to return to play for the 2021-22 season. 

McNicholas played the previous two seasons in the ECHL with the Maine Mariners before signing a professional contract with the ECHL Utah Grizzlies December 1st 2020. McNicholas had one goal in two games with the Grizzlies before being released December 29th 2020. The ECHL Indy Fuel signed McNicholas January 13th 2021. This was McNicholas's second stint with the Fuel was later traded to the ECHL Tulsa Oilers April 5th 2021. McNicholas would finish the 2020-21 season with the Oilers. In 24 games last season, McNicholas collected (3-goals-6-assists-9-points).

McNicholas played four years at the University of New Hampshire before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Indy Fuel March 6th 2018.

McNicholas played one season in Vernon with the 2013-14 Vernon Vipers. The Vipers traded Aaron Hadley to the Nanaimo Clippers January 10th 2013 for future considerations (Michael McNicholas & Jordan Klimek). In 56 games with the Vipers, McNicholas collected (23-goals-46-assists-69-points).

McNicholas scored one of the biggest goals in recent Vernon Vipers history. McNicholas scored the overtime winning goal in Game 7 of the Interior Division Finals March 22nd 2014 vs the Penticton Vees.

Here is Michael McNicholas's Game 7 overtime winning goal,

Michael McNicholas Game 7 OT Winner Vipers vs Penticton Vees - YouTube

Here are the highlight's from Game 7,

2014-03-22 Penticton Vees Vs Vernon Vipers - Fred Page Cup - Interior Finals - Game 7 - YouTube

Michael McNicholas's Player Profile:

Michael McNicholas - Elite Prospects

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Donohoe Receives BCHL Scholarship:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Hunter Donohoe was one of five graduating BCHL

players to receive a $2000 scholarship to attend a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Donohoe Receives BCHL Scholarship | Vernon Vipers

Monday, July 26, 2021

Springfield Jr. Blues Select Siedem At North American Hockey League Draft:

The North American Hockey League Springfield Jr.

Blues have selected Vernon Vipers committed forward Jason Siedem 325th overall in Round 12 at the North American Hockey League Draft.

Here is the press release from the Springfield Jr. Blues website,

2021 NAHL Entry Draft Recap: Jr. Blues One Step Closer to Season | Springfield Jr. Blues (jrblues.com)

Siedem committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2021-22 season on January 28th 2021. 

Siedem played the previous two seasons with Avon Old Farms School in the USHS Prep League. 

Jason Siedem's Player Profile:

Jason Siedem - Elite Prospects

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Day 3 Report From Vipers Spring Identification Camp:

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I have had season tickets since 1990 and only missed five home games since 2004 and 46 home games since 1990. Here are my thought's and views from todays Vipers Identification Camp.

I stopped by Kal Tire Place North this morning and watched all three games/scrimmages on the final day of Vipers Spring Identification Camp.

-Camp consists of 2 thirty minute periods

-Ice is cleaned after each period

-A penalty is an automatic penalty shot

-No lineups/rosters were available

The first game/scrimmage of the morning saw Team Black defeat Team Green 4-3 in a very tight game. Both teams were physical at times but played with an edge and a little chippyness through out the game. A mini scrum broke out at the final buzzer with almost everyone pushing and shoving, while several punches were thrown. Tempers really heated up at the final buzzer. With no lineups or rosters I didn't know the names or age groups of the players. #14 forward on Team Black really caught my eye and I thought was the best player at camp this weekend. He stood out in the games I saw. A very smooth skater, can handle the puck, soft hands and has a nose for the net. Creates/generates chances and makes plays happen in a hurry. 

In the second game/scrimmage of camp saw Team Blue shutout Team Gold 2-0 Team Blue has some size, especially on the backend. #3 defenceman was one of the bigger d-men at camp and #12 forward also has some size. 

In the third and final game/scrimmage of the day saw Team White defeat Team Red 6-2 Team White has some speed up front and their goaltender wearing jersey #1 was solid between the pipes in the 2nd period. Team White jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Team Red pressed hard cutting the lead to 4-2 before Team Red added two more goals to come away with the victory.

I would guess there was an average of around 70-80 people in attendance for most games/scrimmages. I heard due to COVID-19 only 200 people were allowed inside Kal Tire Place North.

I saw maybe seven or eight Viper fans I reconized from the hockey games at camp this weekend. Most of the people in attendance were parents/or family and the Vipers coaching staff etc

Former Vernon Vipers captain and Head Coach/GM Jason Williamson was at camp today as was former Vernon Vipers Assistant Coach Joe Oliver.

I mentioned this in my previous reports and will say it again. With no lineups or rosters you have no idea who players are and how old they are. Its also difficult to watch kids in the future not knowing their names. 

These kind of camps are hard to really get a read on anyways. The Vipers are only losing four players from last season and have committed to seven players for the 2021-22 season, so the chances of some of these kids making the 2021-22 roster, I would think is very slim. 

With not being inside a hockey rink or watching the Vipers play in person since March of 2020 this was very exciting to getting back into the rink even if it was only an Identification Camp.

The Vipers will hold a Jr Prep Camp August 30th-September 2nd

Here are some pictures I took during todays camp,

Former Vipers Associate Coach Mallette Named Assistant Coach For Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team:

Hockey Canada has named former Vernon Vipers Associate Coach Kris

Mallette Assistant Coach of Canada's National Under-18 Canadian Team.

Here is the press release from the Kelowna Rockets website,

Mallette added Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team summer development camp coaching staff – Kelowna Rockets

Mallette will be entering his second season as Head Coach of the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets. 

Mallette a Rockets Alumni (1996-1999) will be entering his seventh season with the Rockets. Mallette spent six seasons with the Rockets as an Assistant Coach from 2014-2020 before being named Head Coach March 2nd 2020.

Mallette played ten seasons in the ECHL, UHL, CHL & IHL with Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Ashville, Elmira, Colorado, Youngstown, Laredo & Flint before getting into coaching. Mallette spent three seasons in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League from 2010-2013 as an Assistant Coach & Head Coach of the North Okanagan Knights.

Mallette spent one season in Vernon as an Associate Coach with the 2013-14 Vernon Vipers. Mallette left the Vipers returning to Kelowna was named the Assistant Coach of the Kelowna Rockets July 4th 2014.

Kris Mallette's Player/Coaching Profile:

Kris Mallette - Elite Prospects

Saturday, July 24, 2021

Day 2 Report From Vipers Spring Identification Camp:

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I have had season tickets since 1990 and only missed five home games since 2004 and 46 home games since 1990. Here are my thought's and views from todays camp.

I stopped by Kal Tire Place North this morning to check out Day two from the Vernon Vipers Identification Camp.

-Camp consists of 2 thirty minute run time periods

-Ice is cleaned after each period

-A penalty is an automatic penalty shot

-No lineups/rosters were available

The first game/scrimmage of the day saw Team Black defeat Team White 4-1 in front of about forty-fifty fans in attendance. #14 forward for Team Black was the best player on the ice this morning. No lineups/rosters were available but this kid was very good. Has a nose to the net and carried the puck often, was getting lots of opportunities and shots on goal. Was always involved in the play and stood out.

In the second morning game/scrimmage saw Team Gold defeat Team Green 5-2 in front of about seventy or so people in attendance. 

In the third and final game/scrimmage of the morning saw Team Red defeat Team Blue 3-1 in front of close to seventy/or eighty people in the stands. Team Blue has a big team as this was the most even matched game/scrimmage I saw to date. These two teams went back and fourth. It was tied 1-1 heading into the final frame before Team Red scored twice in the second period. The game winning goal was scored on a penalty shot. #1 goaltender for Team Red played the 1st period and was solid between the pipes. This kid wasn't very big but very quick on his feet, covered the net well and didn't give up many if any second or third opportunities. Team Blue had some very good quality chances in the first thirty minutes, only managed to get one past the netminder. #11 forward for Team Blue was also very good and stood out in my mind. Was involved in the play, carried the puck often, tall and lanky had some looks this morning. 

I was told due to COVID-19 only 200 people were allowed inside Kal Tire Place North.

These kinds of camps are really difficult to get any kind of a read on these younger kids, especially if they wont be back for the Vipers main training camp in September. 

With no rosters/or lineups its also difficult to know players/or names and are the kids wearing the same jersey as they wore the day before. It's hard to follow when you don't know who the players are and how old they are.

Camp resumed later this afternoon and this evening with three games/scrimmages that I didn't attend.

Day 3 of Spring Identification Camp continues tomorrow morning at 9am. Tomorrow is the final day for camp.

Here are some photo's I took during todays Spring Identification Camp,

Growlers Add Ex Vipers Forward Skirving To Teams Protected List:

The ECHL announced their protected list as submitted by each of its

member teams. This is the first of a several-step process in which ECHL teams use to reserve the rights to ECHL contracted players for the 2021-22 season. The ECHL Newfoundland Growlers have six players on their protected list. One of the six players listed is former Vernon Vipers forward Todd Skirving. 

Here is the press release from the Newfoundland Growlers website,

Growlers Announce Protected Player List (nlgrowlers.com)

Skirving didn't play hockey last season as the Growlers decided to opt out for the 2020-21 season under the ECHL's COVID-19 Voluntary Suspension Policy. Skirving spent last season with the BCHL expansion Cranbrook Bucks as an Assistant Coach. Skirving and the Bucks went 3-16-0-1 during the 2020-21 Pod season. Skirving will be entering his third season this year with the Growlers.

Skirving spent four years at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears August 3rd 2017. Skirving spent the 2017-18 season with three different teams (Oralando, Utah & Atlanta) before signing with the Newfoundland Growlers October 16th 2018.

Skirving was recruited and committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2010-11 season. The Vipers traded Skirving & future considerations to the Prince George Spruce Kings January 10th 2011 for Ryan Renz. In 34 games with the Vipers, Skirving collected (4-goals-5-assists-9-points).

Todd Skirving's Player Profile:

Todd Skirving - Elite Prospects

Friday, July 23, 2021

Day 1 Report From Vipers Spring Identification Camp:

I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and been watching/following junior hockey in Vernon my entire life. I have had season tickets since 1990 and only missed five home games since 2004 and 46 home games since 1990. Here are my thought's and views from todays camp.

I stopped by Kal Tire Place North after work this evening to check out Day 1 from the Vernon Vipers Spring Identification Camp. 

-Camp consists of 2 thirty minute run time periods

-Ice is cleaned after each period

-A penalty is an automatic penalty shot

-No lineup/roster sheets were available

The first game/scrimmage of the day at 2:45pm was between Team Blue & Team Black. I missed the opening game of camp.

In the second game of the evening saw Team Green defeat Team White 5-0 It was 3-0 for Team Green after the opening period before adding two more goals in the final frame. Team White didn't generate much offence or had a lot of puck possession.

In the third and final game of the night saw Team Gold defeat Team Red 6-2 It was 1-1 after thirty minutes before Team Gold blew the game open in the 2nd period to come away with the win. 

With no rosters or lineup sheets available it was difficult to follow the teams/players as you didn't know who the players were.

I would guess there was about 70-80 people in attendance tonight. I have heard maximum capacity is 200 people

Day 2 of Spring Identification Camp continues Saturday morning with the first scrimmage/game starting at 8am

Here are some pictures I took during tonight's Vipers Spring Identification Camp,