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the Vernon Vipers roster. No official press release from the Vernon Vipers but neither player is listed on the Vipers roster.
Vernon Vipers 2023-24 roster,
Vernon Vipers Roster 2023-24 Regular Season | BCHL League Site
In 22 games Palmer has (1-goal-7-assists-8-points).
Jordin Palmer's Player Profile:
Jordin Palmer - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)
In 29 games Duda has (2-goals-2-assists-4-points).
Jiri Duda - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)
Once again this is a reflection of the extremely poor eye for talent that the Vipers have. From what I know this is on John Glenn and Colton Sparrow as they are the ones watching and recruiting players. Remember the good old days when the Vipers actually had a scouting staff lead by Larry Black and Others.Then GM and Coach Mark Ferner would personally watch these kids himself and make the final call. So I can't imagine these castoffs making much of a difference.
ReplyDeleteThe Viper website is always quick to boast about a new signing but never announce players leaving, thank them for their contribution or mention where they will be continuing their hockey journey. As a loyal fan I find this very self serving (*serving one's own interests often in disregard of the truth or the interest of others). This practice is disrespectful of the players and the paying fans. Yes, hockey is a business and players are treated as assets but I think there is a more respectful way of making personnel moves.
ReplyDeleteGood point Bobby C. In the days of Larry Black & Mark Ferner we also had Duncan Wray, an owner who was very caring of the players. Hockey was important but more importantly to him was nurturing his players, supporting them and stressing that education was also important. Overall the players respected Duncan and seemed proud and thankful of their years in Vernon, as witnessed by the many times they returned. How many of the Glen/McKee era players would say the same?
ReplyDeleteI really liked Palmer & Duda. I thought both played well in their first seasons with the Vipers. I really liked Palmer and thought he was one of the more consistent Vipers defencemen this year. A good skater, could move the puck up ice, join the rush and played well at both ends of the rink. Duda wasn't the biggest kid but was quick, played hard and always come to play.
ReplyDeleteI heard from a season ticket holder at the game tonight both players were released. If this is the case, why didn't the Vipers make a press release and let their fans know? Vipers fans are passionate and follow their team, and like to be in the know with trades, player transactions, roster moves etc
Jiri Duda was usually quite busy on the ice, but he accomplished very little. So he deserves praise for effort but he really didn't help the team that much, in my opinion. In the case of Jordin Palmer, I wonder which came first, signing with an NAHL team or being deleted from the Vipers roster.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's fair to criticize GM McKee for making moves that are designed to improve the team. And it's especially unfair to criticize him for doing exactly what Mark Ferner would do during Mark's tenure as GM. For example do you remember when Mark traded Steve Tresierra and John Digness at the 2009 trading deadline? These two were popular and productive players at the time. In return, the Vipers acquired two 20-year-old defencemen, Mike Leidl and Cam Brodie, who made significant contributions to the Vipers' 2009 championship run. That trade worked, but Mark would be the first to tell you that some of his trades or acquisitions didn't pan out.
We don't know how much the acquisitions of McKinley and Kral will help the team because they've just joined the team but they are fast and skillful and clearly have been recommended to the Vipers. Maybe these acquisitions will prove fruitful, maybe not. We do suspect that Maks Percic was sent to Merritt to clear room for Patrik Kral as the second European on the roster. The other deal, acquiring the rights of goalie Johnny Hicks from Merritt, was probably made with a view to next year because Hicks is currently on Brooks's roster and the Vipers don't need him this year.
I agree that the Vipers could do a better job of updating the departure of players on the team website, but the real culprit here is the Morning Star, which no longer covers the Vipers in any meaningful way. Up until the last few years, the Morning Star would provide proper coverage of all matters related to the Vipers, including investigation into the team's transactions and the motivations behind those those transactions. So, your complaints about the lack of information and the lack of transparency could profitably be directed to that newspaper. Phone the paper; email the paper; let the Morning Star that you want to see detailed coverage about the Vernon Vipers.
Wow, just a couple of comments for Don Klepp :
ReplyDeleteCoverage by the The Morning Star is the reason for the poor communication from the Vipers? They are the "real culprit"? Really? Do you realize the Morning Star only prints once a week & distributes on Thursdays? That makes most Viper & Vernon news stories Old News by the time their message reaches the public. Unfortunately the Star has become a vehicle for distributing local store flyers and ads. Social Media is the modern method of getting news in a timely fashion. With little credible info coming from Viper Head Office the passionate fans are resorting to gossip & projection.
"Jiri Duda was usually busy on the ice, but accomplished very little". In previous 3 years he put up prolific numbers, albeit in U-16 & U-18. Was he ever put into a position to excel and play to his strengths or was he used as a 3rd or 4th line grinder? I don't ever recall seeing him playing with skilled players or having a crack at the power play. Some players take longer to adapt to the BCHL, possibly he is one.
With the "busy but accomplishing very little" theory I think there are other roster players who should be worried. I recall one past player who in 3 years was "busy" but "accomplished very little" but was afforded front line minutes & PP consistently. I'm sure you can figure out who I am referring to.
Hockey is a game where players are treated like assets and we all can expect to see players coming and going. That is a fact and no one should have an issue with McKee trying to improve his team. That is his job! It also must be recognized that these are young kids, sometimes far away from home & their support groups for the first time. They need to be treated in a respectful manner. I know personally of a local Vernon player traded to Ontario a few years back and how poorly it was communicated to him. What would the recent players say about how they were told & treated when they got their pink slips?
Just to be clear, the concerns mentioned on this site are not just slamming McKee or Glen but feedback we have heard, a lot of times substantiated by billets & players. There is a lot of time & effort put into recruiting & signing players, is there an equal effort in supporting them & finding a good spot for them once they are not needed? That is the crux of my concerns, exacerbated by the lack of communication.
So Mr Klepp, thank you for being as passionate as the long time fans. We all want the same thing, good hockey and a good life experience for the players.