Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Crusaders Sign Former Viper Merner:

The Alberta Junior Hockey League Sherwood Park Crusaders have

signed former Vernon Vipers forward Ethan Merner.

Here is the press release from the Sherwood Park Crusaders website,

Ethan Merner Signs for 2023/2024 Season | Sherwood Park Crusaders

Merner played one season in Vernon with the 2022-23 Vernon Vipers. In 38 games, Merner collected (3-goals-7-assists-10-points). 

Merner has committed to Merrimack College for the 2024-25 season.

Ethan Merner's Player Profile:

Ethan Merner - Elite Prospects

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

The exodus has started. It is significant to lose Merner. Who's next?

Paul Beugeling said...

A Viper fatality of the BCHLs decision to go independent or just dosent want to play for Vipers?

Anonymous said...

I would hazard a guess that he did not want to play for the Vipers or McKee. It is only my speculation but he already has a scholly so could spend another year here, even though unsanctioned by Hockey Canada. With a scholly in place it is "no harm/no foul" so leaving must be for a different reason. I wonder who else will chose other option now?

Anonymous said...

There will be more I'm certain as the move to not get rid of McKee will be costly!

Bobby C said...

You have to take into consideration that Merner was thinking of his future. He was out of the lineup more than he was in and that's what happens to a first year player when you're only 16 years old. I don't think he'll be heading off to Merrimack after only 2 partial seasons of Jr Hockey and with all the new recruits that have said they are committed to the Vipers for next year he probably didn't want to take the chance of getting cut by a very unpredictable Coach.

vipersdiehardfan said...

I liked Merner and thought he brought speed and energy to the lineup in the little bit he did play this past season. Bobby C is right, I'm sure Merner and his parents had a tough decision to make on his future and what league he was going to play in. It will be interesting to see if anymore Vipers opt out of the BCHL.

BINGO said...

And now the drama starts. Why would some of last years players return based on Jason's old school attitude of yelling at his players for performance. Now a days the young players are looking for understanding and a calm approach towards there learning cycle from a coach. I agree that some of last years players will not return based on the coach and on the new format of being a unsanctioned league. The parents will have a lot to think about before they make a decision. Time will tell as to how this goes down. A new league formed by hockey canada ? It is quite possible. How many players will return from last year will tell the story.

Anonymous said...

Players returning to play for the vipers. I hope this batch is truthful and honest about what they think about said coach Jason. Oh my what was I thinking Jason might just read the blog. So I guess will just have to listen to the. Bullshit that comes out of players mouths rather than speak the truth and so goes another graham turnbull interview. Same pat answers to keep the coach happy. What a joke

Marco Foghat said...

I think his leaving boils down to dissatisfaction with the Coach/GM/Owner to the point where his parents/adviser/himself feel his development will be held back if he stays. Either with actual teaching of hockey skills or concerns about him not playing the minutes he feels he desreves. Like his parents could have gone to McKee and said they want a guarantee he will get top line minutes and 1st unit on the PP. And maybe a 17 yr old isn't ready for that. This whole business with the new unsanctioned league and questions about McKee and even Glen is all a bewhildering soup for me. I'm not going to get all worked up about it right now. I'll wait for the season to begin to see what kind of league we've got and what kind of team we’ve got.