Monday, September 26, 2022

Vernon-Okotoks Trade:

The Vernon Vipers have acquired 18 year old forward Bowden Singleton from the Alberta

Junior Hockey League Okotoks Oilers for future considerations.

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Vipers Acquire Singleton | Vernon Vipers

Bowden Singleton's Player Profile:

Bowden Singleton - Elite Prospects

NHL Scouts turn their eyes on Bowden Singleton,

Rieger Lorenz and Bowden Singleton are turning the AJHL's Okotoks Oilers into must-see hockey this season | CTV News

UND Lands Bowden Singleton,

UND hockey lands commitment from Calgary’s Bowden Singleton - Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks news, weather & sports

12 comments:

vipersdiehardfan said...

The season is only two games old, and the Vipers have already pulled the trigger on a trade. Its early but the Vipers have struggled to score this season, and something needed to be done. Is Singleton the goal scorer the Vipers are looking for? Will we see more changes?

After a very dismal and very disappointing season last year, the Vipers needed to put together a much better and competitive team this season. The Vipers need to get off to a good start this season and starting the 2022-23 season 0-2 isn't good. I truly think Jason McKee's job is on the line. The Vipers first ten or so games are very crucial. Vernon can't afford to lose more games than they win, not only will they have a very difficult time trying to catch teams in the standings as the season progresses, but they will lose fans/season ticket holders.

The Vipers next three games will be huge. Prince George is 2-0 and then Salmon Arm returns to Vernon the following weekend. Can you imagine if the Vipers start the season 0-5?

PaulyWog54 said...

This has to be one of the earliest trades after a regular season start, ever!

Bob McInnes said...

VDHF is probably right on the mark by saying that Jason McKee's job is on the line. There is a former BCHL coach who is available but as they say "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it".

vipersdiehardfan said...

Mike Vandekamp is not coaching this year that I know of

Anonymous said...

This is a great trade. Very talented player.

Anonymous said...

Assume they had to release another player. Any idea who?

Anonymous said...

They didn't have to release a player. Revy Mack is injured. They can replace him until he recovers.

vipersdiehardfan said...

Why would Okotoks give up on one of their top players? And for future considerations? I wonder what the Vipers will owe back in return?

Anonymous said...

this had to have been a hard move for Okotoks to make. In the one story you referenced, it says that he and the coach go back to grade 4, and Okotoks is rarely a slouch in the AJ…. So it had to have been quite the “future promise” or a huge chunk of cash. Desperate management.

Bob McInnes said...

I believe that the maximum cash that a team can include in future considerations is $5000. Singleton is committed to North Dakota for next year. Has he ever lived away from home before? Calgary and Okotoks are about as far apart as Vernon and Lumby. I know in the past that a college coach suggested to a Junior A player that living away from home in his last year of junior would be a good idea before he made the move to NCAA hockey. Really. These are teenaged boys. The last thing a first year player at North Dakota needs is a case of homesickness on top of first year classes and competing for playing time.

Anonymous said...

Excellent point Bob, certainly a consideration. I enjoy your knowledgeable comments.

I also think the Viper GM/owners are scrambling due to the 2 - 0 start and 3 tough games coming up. Major pressure on them to ice a respectable team asap.

Bob McInnes said...

I found the place where the league lists the players on injured reserve. The player must stay on this list for 30 days and can be replaced on the roster with another player. Revy Mack of the Vipers went on this list on September 14 and will remain there for 30 days and then either go back on for another 30 days or come back onto the roster and at that point the roster must be reduced. 30 days on the list must mean the injury is pretty bad. Here is the league's injured reserve list.

https://bchl.ca/injured-reserve