Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,
Vipers Make Roster Moves | Vernon Vipers
The Vernon Vipers have acquired the playing rights to 20 year old forward Ethan Rowland from the Alberta Junior Hockey League Calgary Canucks for future considerations.
Blazers acquire Rowland from Red Deer Rebels,
BLAZERS ACQUIRE FORWARD ETHAN ROWLAND FROM REBELS – Kamloops Blazers (blazerhockey.com)
Rebels trade Rowland due to development of younger players,
Rowland dealt due to positive development of younger players, Sutter says – Red Deer Rebels
Ethan Rowland's Player Profile:
Ethan Rowland - Elite Prospects
The Vernon Vipers have acquired 20 year old defenceman Anson McMaster from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Winnipeg Freeze for future considerations.
Royals acquire McMaster from Winnipeg Ice,
Royals Acquire Anson McMaster From Winnipeg – Victoria Royals
McMaster looks back at 100 career WHL games,
Anson McMaster's Player Profile:
Anson McMaster - Elite Prospects
The Vernon Vipers have traded 18 year old forward Ludovik Tardif to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for future considerations.
Here is the press release from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs website,
Bulldogs Acquire Ludovik Tardif from Vernon Vipers | Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Ludovik Tardif's Player Profile:
Ludovik Tardif - Elite Prospects
The Vernon Vipers have traded 19 year old forward Revy Mack to the North American Hockey League Anchorage Wolverines for future considerations.
Revy Mack's Player Profile:
After 6 games and 3 - 3 record I would say McKee is feeling the heat. Yes, there are injuries on the team but when have we seen this many player moves so early in the season? And there will be more moves when players return from injury reserve. I count 6 players who committed to Vernon and are now gone, Chalmers, Seguin & Chaput early, then Krulicki and now Tardiff and Mack. Am I missing any? What does this say about the Vipers scouting?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of bringing in some veteran 20 year olds. Anson McMaster has some size and will be a great addition to the Viper blueline. Ethan Rowland played three full seasons in the Western Hockey League with Red Deer but didn't produce many points. 15 points was his highest point total and that was with the Alberta Junior Hockey League Calgary Canucks during the 2018-19 season.
ReplyDeleteI can't recall a Viper team ever making this many changes and roster moves/trades only six games into the season. I sure hope this doesn't disrupt the dressing room.
After a very dismal season last year, the Vipers got off to a bad start this season. The Vipers didn't put together a competitive/strong team this season and it's shown after starting the season 0-3. Sure Vernon has won three straight since starting 0-3 but very lucky to win two of those. Let's face it, the Vipers aren't very good this year. On paper they have a stronger team then last season but they haven't looked very good & been very inconsistent from game to game. Changes needed to be done and I'm glad to see ownership/coaching staff notice this early into the season, rather than later in the season, like they did last year. The Vipers struggled early last season and they waited until the end of November to make changes, by then it was too late. Jason McKee and ownership have to be feeling the heat as Viper fans are getting restless after putting together below then average teams the past three seasons.
Since the summer, seven recruited/committed players (Tyler Chan, Ludovik Tardif, Liam Cavan, Revy Mack, Connor Chalmers, Max Seguin & Justin Chaput) and one player acquired in a trade over the summer (Brock Krulicki) are all gone. Look at the recruited/committed players that were traded or released last year. Since ownership and Jason McKee took over the Vipers, I have questioned the Vipers recruiting/scouting. I have seen more recruited/committed players either released or traded the past four seasons then I ever have previous in all my years watching Junior hockey in Vernon. The Vipers aren't recruiting/scouting and getting the same elite high end level players as the Vees, Silverbacks, Warriors among other teams. You look at the top players on most other teams in the league and question why can't Vernon recruit/scout the similar type of players?
With several roster moves the past few days, let's see how the Vipers play this weekend vs the top two teams in the Interior Division.
At least they are TRYING to improve so, good on them. GO VIPERS GO!
ReplyDeleteYes Paul, we must give them credit for trying to get better. But the reason they need to change is a direct result of their abysmal scouting. To recruit 6 players plus acquire another (Krulicki) and release them after 6 games makes it very obvious. As VDHF says "Vipers aren't recruiting/scouting and getting the same elite high end players" as other teams. It starts with good scouting, responsible ownership and credible coaching. For this many players to "commit" to Vernon with little or no commitment to them is not responsible and not building a good program. Parents and and universities, placing kids before they need them, want a good program to prepare their people for the university level. Word travels fast in the hockey world. We are no longer the elite hockey franchise we used to be.
ReplyDeleteThey can't recruit because the word is out "you don't want to play for Vernon anymore". Way to go and burn up all our cards McKee. I stopped going to games under this management long ago. Perhaps I will return with a new head coach just to see if it really is him who messed the bed.
ReplyDelete