Friday, May 31, 2024

Ex Viper Singleton/Canucks Fall Short At Centennial Cup Semifinals:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Bowden Singleton and the Alberta Junior

Hockey League Calgary Canucks fell short at the 2024 Centennial Cup falling 2-1 in the semifinals May 17th to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Melfort Mustangs.

Road to the Centennial Cup: Calgary Canucks

Road to the 2024 Centennial Cup: Calgary Canucks (hockeycanada.ca)

Calgary Canucks Centennial Cup Recap,

Nucks News: 2024 Centennial Cup Recap | Calgary Canucks - Over 50 Years of Junior Hockey Excellence

Singleton is in his second season with the Alberta Junior Hockey League Calgary Canucks and first as captain. In 56 regular season games, Singleton finished 4th in league scoring with (21-goals-46-assists-67-points). In 11 playoff games, Singleton collected (7-goals-8-assists-15-points). Singleton didn't play a single game at the Centennial Cup.

Singleton uses skill and love of science to help Canucks,

Captain Bowden Singleton uses skill and love of science to help AJHL Canucks | Watch News Videos Online (globalnews.ca)

The Vernon Vipers acquired Bowden Singleton September 26th 2022 from the Alberta Junior Hockey League Okotoks Oilers for future considerations. The Vernon Vipers traded Singleton November 23rd 2022 to the Alberta Junior Hockey League Calgary Canucks for future considerations. In 16 games with the Vipers, Singleton collected (0-goals-0-assists-0-points).

Bowden Singleton's Player Profile:

Bowden Singleton - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Ex Vipers Skirving & Lansdell Advance To ECHL Kelly Cup Finals:

Former Vernon Vipers forwards Todd Skirving & Jesse Lansdell & the

ECHL Florida Everblades have advanced to the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals vs the Kansas City Mavericks after eliminating the Adirondack Thunder 4-3 Tuesday in six games of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Here is the press release from the ECHL website,


Here is the press release from the Florida Everblades website,


Skirving is in his first season with the ECHL Florida Everblades, recently signed with the Everblades April 6th 2024.

Skirving spent the past five seasons with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers before joining the Everblades in early April. In 60 regular season games with the Growlers, Skirving collected (8-goals-6-assists-14-points). In 4 regular season games with the Everblades, Skirving collected (0-goals-2-assists-2-points). In 17 playoff games, Skirving has (2-goals-1-assist-3-points).

The League’s Board of Governors voted to terminate the Membership of the Newfoundland Growlers, effective immediately, for failure to fulfill its obligations under the ECHL Bylaws. The ECHL and Professional Hockey Players’ Association have agreed that as per the ECHL/PHPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, all ECHL Contracted Players on the Newfoundland roster are Unrestricted Free Agents, however no ECHL Member may sign more than two (2) Players from the free agent pool of Newfoundland Players. Any Player from this pool who signs and finishes the Season with a new ECHL Member for the balance of the 2023-24 Season shall be ineligible for that Member's Protected List and shall become an Unrestricted Free Agent at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Season.

Skirving didn't play professional hockey during the 2020-21 season as the Growlers decided to opt out of the 2020-21 season under the ECHL's COVID-19 Voluntary Suspension Policy. Skirving spent the 2020-21 season as an Assistant Coach with the BCHL expansion Cranbrook Bucks. Skirving and the Bucks went 3-16-0-1 during the 2020-21 pod season.

Skirving played four years at Rochester Institute of Technology from 2013-2017 before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears August 3rd 2017. Skirving spent the 2017-18 season playing with Orlando, Utah and Atlanta before signing a professional contract with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers October 16th 2018.

Skirving committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2010-11 season. Skirving played with the 2010-11 Vernon Vipers. The Vipers traded Skirving and 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 - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Lansdell is in his first season with the ECHL Florida Everblades. In 6 regular season games, Lansdell collected (2-goals-0-assists-2-points). In 18 playoff games, Lansdell has (0-goals-3-assists-3-points).

Lansdell played this season at the University of Nebraska-Omaha before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Florida Everblades April 1st 2024. Lansdell played the previous four seasons at the University of Notre Dame from 2019-2023.

Lansdell played parts of three seasons with the Vernon Vipers from 2016-2019. The Vipers traded defenceman Mitch Oliver October 15th 2016 to the Chilliwack Chiefs for Jesse Lansdell. In 127 games with the Vipers, Lansdell collected (31-goals-60-assists-91-points).

Jesse Lansdell's Player Profile:

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Former Vernon Junior Hockey Brothers In Western Conference Final:

Former Vernon Vikings goaltender Ken Holland & his brother former Vernon Lakers forward Dennis Holland are facing each other in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Here is the story from the Vernon Morning Star,


Ken Holland is in his fifth season as President & General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers.

Holland started as an NHL Scout with the Detroit Red Wings in 1985. Holland was a Scout with the Red Wings from 1985-1987 before being named to Director of Amateur Scouting in 1987 until being named Assistant General Manager in 1994 then being named General Manager & Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations in 1997. Holland left the Red Wings in 2019 was named General Manager & President of Hockey Operations of the Edmonton Oilers May 7th 2019.

Holland was drafted 188th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 12 of the 1975 NHL Draft. Holland never played a game with the Maple Leafs, played four games with the Hartford Whalers and Detroit Red Wings before retiring from professional hockey in 1985.

Holland played one season in Vernon with the 1973-74 Vernon Vikings.

The Vernon Vikings were around from 1973-1978 before changing their name to the Vernon Canadians in 1978.

Ken Holland's Player Profile:

Ken Holland - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)


Dennis Holland is in his twenty first season as an Amateur Scout with the Dallas Stars.


Holland played three seasons with the Western Hockey League Portland Winterhawks from 1986-1989 before signing his first professional contract with the American Hockey League Adirondack Red Wings in 1989. Holland played seven seasons in the American Hockey League and IHL with ten different teams, also played three seasons in Germany with two different teams before retiring from professional hockey in 1998.


Holland played one season with the 1985-86 Vernon Lakers. In 51 games, Holland collected (43-goals-62-assists-105-points).


The Vernon Lakers were around from 1980-1995 before changing their name to the Vernon Vipers in 1995.

Dennis Holland's Player Profile:

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Former Vipers "AP" Evers & The Eagles Win Fred Page Cup:

Former Vernon Vipers affiliated player/forward Ryden Evers and the Surrey Eagles

won the Fred Page Cup/BCHL Championship after a 3-1 victory on Sunday over the Penticton Vees. The Eagles won the best of seven playoff series 4-2.

Image credit: BCHL

Here is the press release from the BCHL website,

Surrey Eagles crowned 2023-24 Fred Page Cup champions | BCHL League Site

Here is the press release from the Penticton Vees website,

Game Recap: Vees fall to Eagles in Six games, lose Fred Page Cup Final | Penticton Vees

Game highlights,

Highlights: 26-05-24 Eagles (3) at Vees (1) (youtube.com)

Evers is in his second season with the Surrey Eagles. In 53 regular season games this season, Evers collected (22-goals-31-assists-53-points). In 10 playoff games, Evers has (2-goals-2-assists-4-points).

Evers was an affiliated player with the 2021-22 Vernon Vipers. Evers was added to the Vipers reserve roster in late October/early November 2021. Evers made his Vipers debut March 23rd 2022 in a 10-3 victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters. Evers played 1 game with the 2021-22 Vernon Vipers.

Ryden Evers Player Profile:

Ryden Evers - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Monday, May 27, 2024

McCloskey Commits To Army West Point:

Vernon Vipers defenceman Lukas McCloskey has committed to Army West Point for the 2024-25 season.

Image credit: Vernon Vipers

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

McCloskey Commits to Army West Point | Vernon Vipers

Lukas McCloskey's Player Profile:

Lukas McCloskey - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Former Viper Whistle Frustrated As Injury Robs Him Of World Championship Chance With Great Britain:

Forner Vernon Vipers forward Brandon Whistle will miss out on playing at

the World Hockey Championships due to an injury.

Here is the press release from the Yorkshire Post,


Whistle is in his fourth season with the Elite Ice Hockey League Sheffield Steelers. In 32 games this season, Whistle collected (3-goals-9-assists-12-points). 

The Steelers are a professional ice hockey team located in Sheffield, England that play in the Elite Ice Hockey League. This is Whistle's second stint with the Steelers. Whistle played one season with the Steelers during the 2018-19 season before returning for the 2021-22 season.

Whistle finished his Junior hockey career with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in 2018 before signing his first professional contract with the Elite Ice Hockey League Sheffield Steelers in 2018. Whistle has played five of the past six seasons in England with three different teams (Sheffield Steelers, Telford Tigers & Leeds Knights).

Whistle played parts of one season in Vernon with the 2017-18 Vernon Vipers. The Vipers traded the playing rights of Adam Panacci to the Alberta Junior Hockey League Bonnyville Pontiacs November 6th 2017 for Brandon Whistle. The Vipers traded Whistle to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks December 30th 2017 for Josh Latta. In 16 games with the Vipers, Whistle collected (0-goals-3-assists-3-points). 

Brandon Whistle's Player Profile:

Saturday, May 25, 2024

Vernon Vipers Sign Holt:

The Vernon Vipers have signed 18 year old defenceman Isaac Holt.

Image credit: Vernon Vipers

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers,

Vipers Sign Isaac Holt | Vernon Vipers

Isaac Holt's Player Profile:

Isaac Holt - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Isaac Holt 2020-21 highlights,

Isaac Holt 2020-21 Highlights (youtube.com)

Holt Commits to Robert Morris University,

Johnstown defenseman Holt makes NCAA DI commitment | North American Hockey League | NAHL

BCHL News & Trades:

BCHL News & Trades:

Crusaders Sign Bray For 2024-25 Season:

SIGNING: Jude Bray Joins Crusaders for 2024/2025 Season | Sherwood Park Crusaders (spcrusaders.com)

Smoke Eaters Sign Lariviere For 2024-25 Season:

Lariviere Signed for 2024-25 | Trail Smoke Eaters

McKamey Granted Exceptional Status In BCHL:

2009-born Eli McKamey granted exceptional status in the BCHL for 2024-25 | BCHL League Site

Express Sign Eperjesi For 2024-25 Season:

Express sign University of Maine commit Leo Eperjesi | Coquitlam Express

Grizzlies Name Grimwood Hub GM For JPHL Oraganizations:

Grimwood Named Hub GM for JPHL Organizations | Victoria Grizzlies

Warriors Fan Opposed To New Video Scoreboard:

Opposed to new scoreboard - Letters - Castanet.net

Spruce Kings Quash Talk Of BCHL Exit:

Spruce Kings quash talk of BCHL exit, report attendance boost despite losing season | CKPGToday.ca

Trail Signs Ziliotto For 2024-25 Season:

Ziliotto Signed for 2024-25 | Trail Smoke Eaters

Sherwood Park Crusaders Sign Kosick For 2024-25 Season:

SIGNING: Crusaders Announce Signing of Noah Kosick | Sherwood Park Crusaders (spcrusaders.com)

Salmon Arm's Shaw Centre To be Renamed 'Rogers Rink'

Salmon Arm’s Shaw Centre to be renamed ‘Rogers Rink’ - Salmon Arm Observer (saobserver.net)

Express Launch Booster Club:

Coquitlam Express Launches Booster Club to Elevate Support for Players | Coquitlam Express

Centennials Look Back At Final Season In BCHL:

Former Merritt Centennials coach and players look back on final BCHL season - Merritt Herald

McKamey Commits To Penticton Vees For 2024-25 Season:

2009-born Eli McKamey granted exceptional status in BCHL, commits to Vees | Penticton Vees

Friday, May 24, 2024

Sky’s The Limit For Former Viper Wilson At Memorial Cup:

Former Vernon Vipers defenceman Cosmo Wilson and the Moose Jaw

Warriors open the 2024 Memorial Cup today vs the Host Saginaw Spirit.

Here is the story on Wilson from the Morning Star,

Sky’s the lmit for Vernon player, team at Memorial Cup - Vernon Morning Star

Memorial Cup website,

Memorial Cup | Canadian Hockey League (chl.ca)

Wilson is in his third season with the Western Hockey League Moose Jaw Warriors. Wilson attended the Vernon Vipers training camp in 2021 was later released/cut before the 2021-22 regular season. Wilson was later added to the Vernon Vipers roster as an affiliated player in November 2021. Wilson played 7 games as an "AP" with the 2021-22 Vernon Vipers before joining the Moose Jaw Warriors later that season.

Cosmo Wilson's Player Profile:

Cosmo Wilson - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Saying Goodbye - Isaac Tremblay

The Vernon Vipers are saying goodbye to their graduating players that

won't be back next season.

Here is Vernon Vipers forward Isaac Tremblay

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Isaac Tremblay | Vernon Vipers

Isaac Tremblay's Player Profile:

Isaac Tremblay - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

NCAA Considering Next Steps In Allowing CHL Players:

The American Coaches Association held their convention in early May and among the topics, the status of CHL players in the NCAA.

Here is the story from sportsnet.ca,

Rink Fries: NCAA considering next steps in allowing CHL players (sportsnet.ca)

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Vernon Vipers Lose Volunteer - Joe Harasymchuk

Vernon Vipers volunteer Joe Harasymchuk has passed away.

Here is Joe Harasymchuk's obituary from the Morning Star,

Joe Harasymchuk - Obituary - - Vernon Morning Star

Monday, May 20, 2024

Vernon Vipers Sign Bilic:

The Vernon Vipers have signed 18 year old goaltender Marko Bilic.

Image credit: Vernon Vipers

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Vipers Sign ASU Commit Marko Bilic | Vernon Vipers

Marko Bilic's Player Profile:

Marko Bilic - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League Leaves Hockey Canada:

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League announced it has left Hockey Canada and will become an Independent league.

Here is the press release from the VIJHL website,

VIJHL ANNOUNCES DECISION TO BECOME INDEPENDENT LEAGUE | VIJHL - Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League

VIJHL Leaving Hockey Canada.

Here is the press release from thejuniorhockeynews.com,

The Death Pool – VIJHL Leaving Hockey Canada (thejuniorhockeynews.com)

VIJHL cuts ties with Hockey Canada, joins forces with the BCHL.

Here is the story from the Province,

Vancouver Island Junior B league cuts ties with Hockey Canada | The Province

Trail Smoke Eaters owner purchases the VIJHL Peninsula Panthers.

Here is the story from the Trail Times,

Trail Smoke Eaters owner purchases VIJHL Peninsula Panthers - Trail Times

Langley Rivermen purchase VIJHL Westshore Wolves.

Here is the press release from the Langley Rivermen website,

THE LANGLEY RIVERMEN ACQUIRE THE WESTSHORE WOLVES OF THE VIJHL | Official Website of the Langley Rivermen

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Saying Good Bye - Owen Kim

The Vernon Vipers are saying goodbye to their graduating players that

won't be back next season.

Here is Vernon Vipers forward Owen Kim.

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Owen Kim | Vernon Vipers

Owen Kim's Player Profile:

Owen Kim - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Former Vipers Lansdell & Skirving Advance To ECHL Eastern Conference Finals:

Former Vernon Vipers forwards Jesse Lansdell & Todd Skirving & the

ECHL Florida Everblades have advanced to the ECHL Eastern Conference Finals vs the Adirondack Thunder.

Here is the press release from the ECHL website,


Here is the press release from the Florida Everblades website,


The Everblades advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after eliminating the Orlando Solar Bears in the South Division Finals in five games.

Lansdell is in his first season with the ECHL Florida Everblades. In 6 regular season games, Lansdell collected (2-goals-0-assists-2-points). In 12 playoff games, Lansdell has (0-goals-3-assists-3-points).

Lansdell played this season at the University of Nebraska-Omaha before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Florida Everblades April 1st 2024. Lansdell played the previous four seasons at the University of Notre Dame from 2019-2023.

Lansdell played parts of three seasons with the Vernon Vipers from 2016-2019. The Vipers traded defenceman Mitch Oliver October 15th 2016 to the Chilliwack Chiefs for Jesse Lansdell. In 127 games with the Vipers, Lansdell collected (31-goals-60-assists-91-points).

Jesse Lansdell's Player Profile:


Skirving is in his first season with the ECHL Florida Everblades, recently signed with the Everblades April 6th 2024.

Skirving spent the past five seasons with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers before joining the Everblades in early April. In 60 regular season games with the Growlers, Skirving collected (8-goals-6-assists-14-points). In 4 regular season games with the Everblades, Skirving collected (0-goals-2-assists-2-points). In 11 playoff games, Skirving has (2-goals-0-assists-2-points).

The League’s Board of Governors voted to terminate the Membership of the Newfoundland Growlers, effective immediately, for failure to fulfill its obligations under the ECHL Bylaws. The ECHL and Professional Hockey Players’ Association have agreed that as per the ECHL/PHPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, all ECHL Contracted Players on the Newfoundland roster are Unrestricted Free Agents, however no ECHL Member may sign more than two (2) Players from the free agent pool of Newfoundland Players. Any Player from this pool who signs and finishes the Season with a new ECHL Member for the balance of the 2023-24 Season shall be ineligible for that Member's Protected List and shall become an Unrestricted Free Agent at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Season.

Skirving didn't play professional hockey during the 2020-21 season as the Growlers decided to opt out of the 2020-21 season under the ECHL's COVID-19 Voluntary Suspension Policy. Skirving spent the 2020-21 season as an Assistant Coach with the BCHL expansion Cranbrook Bucks. Skirving and the Bucks went 3-16-0-1 during the 2020-21 pod season.

Skirving played four years at Rochester Institute of Technology from 2013-2017 before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears August 3rd 2017. Skirving spent the 2017-18 season playing with Orlando, Utah and Atlanta before signing a professional contract with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers October 16th 2018.

Skirving committed to the Vernon Vipers for the 2010-11 season. Skirving played with the 2010-11 Vernon Vipers. The Vipers traded Skirving and 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:

Friday, May 17, 2024

Vernon Vipers Sign Hyles:

The Vernon Vipers have signed 18 year old forward Kole Hyles for the 2024-25 season.

Image credit: Vernon Vipers

Here is the press release from the Vernon Vipers website,

Vipers Sign Kole Kyles from Cushing Academy | Vernon Vipers

Kole Hyles Player Profile:

Kole Hyles - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Blog Hits 3 Million Viewers:

Early this morning my Vipersdiehardfan Blog hit 3 million viewers.

I started and created this blog in November 2008. Blogger tells me where my viewers are from, how many viewers I get per day, per week, per month and per year. This past Vipers season I was averaging between 800-6000 viewers a day. 

Top Locations - Viewers from across the globe

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Thursday, May 16, 2024

Who is Christian Felton, The Canucks’ NCAA Free Agent Signing?

Who is Christian Felton and why did the Canucks sign the former Vernon Viper?

Here is the press release from vancouverisawesome.com


Felton spent the past three seasons at Merrimack College before signing his first professional contract with the Vancouver Canucks March 14th 2024. The American Hockey League Abbotsford Canucks signed Felton March 15th 2024. Felton didn't play a single game with the Vancouver Canucks or Abbotsford Canucks this season.

Felton committed to Bentley University in November 2019 transferred from Bentley University to Merrimack College in June 2021.

Felton played one season in Vernon with the 2019-20 Vernon Vipers. Felton committed to the Vipers for the 2019-20 season in June 2019. In 50 games with the Vipers, Felton collected (5-goals-10-assists-15-points).

Christian Felton's Player Profile:

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

BCHL News & Trades:

BCHL News & Trades:

Silverbacks Sign Macbeath For 2024-25 Season:

Silverbacks add young blue line depth for 2024/25 | Salmon Arm Silverbacks (sasilverbacks.com)

Baranow Joins Chiefs Front Office Staff:

Yasmin Baranow joins Chiefs front office staff | Chilliwack Chiefs

Hachey Commits To Spruce Kings For 2024-25 Season:

Zachary Hachey Commits to Spruce Kings | Prince George Spruce Kings

Spruce Grove Saints Sign Lachaine For 2024/25 Season:

Saints Sign Alexy Lachaine For Upcoming 2024-2025 Season | Spruce Grove Saints (sgsaints.ca)

BCHL Announces Year-End All-Star Teams:

League announces year-end All-Star Teams for 2023-24 | BCHL League Site

Chilliwack Chiefs Welcome Rulton To The Business Team:

Chiefs Welcome Andrew Rulton to The Business Team | Chilliwack Chiefs

Fennell Commits To Bucks For 2024-25 Season:

Bucks add 05-born Tanner Fennell to blueline for 2024-25 | Cranbrook Bucks

Loewen Commits To Prince George For 2024-25 Season:

Mason Loewen Commits to Spruce Kings | Prince George Spruce Kings

Saints Sign Muhfield For 2024-25 Season:

Saints Sign Jack Muhlfeld For Upcoming 2024-2025 Season | Spruce Grove Saints (sgsaints.ca)

Nanaimo Clippers Rebranding Announcement:

Nanaimo Clippers Unveil Exciting Rebrand for 2024-25 Hockey Season | Nanaimo Clippers

Grizzlies Optimistic About Reaching 'Upper Echelons' Of BCHL:

Grizzlies boss optimistic about reaching ‘upper echelons’ - Victoria Times Colonist

Bucks Name Cech New Assistant Coach:

Bucks Add Assistant Coach/U18 Academy Head Coach Kelvin Cech | Cranbrook Bucks

Prince George Spruce Kings Sign Moore For 2024-25 Season:

Spruce Kings Sign Moore | Prince George Spruce Kings

Monday, May 13, 2024

Hicks Named BCHL Alberta Division Second-Team All-Star:

Brooks Bandits goaltender Johnny Hicks was named BCHL Alberta

Division Second-Team All-Star.

Here is the press release from the Brooks Bandits website,

Lalonde, Hicks, Beyer, Sawyer and McCall awarded BCHL Alberta Division honours | Brooks Bandits

Hicks played the past two seasons with the Merritt Centennials before leaving for the Alberta Junior Hockey League Brooks Bandits. Hicks left the Centennials and signed with the Bandits June 29th 2023.

The Centennials traded the BCHL Playing Rights of Johnny Hicks to the Vernon Vipers January 10th 2024 for future considerations. At the time of the trade, the Bandits were in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, eventually joined the BCHL January 20th 2024.

Here is the press release on the Vipers-Hicks trade from January,

Vipers And Cents Swing Another Deal | Vernon Vipers

Johnny Hicks Player Profile:

Johnny Hicks - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)

Sunday, May 12, 2024

On This Day In Vernon Lakes/Vernon Vipers History:

Thirty four years ago today (May 12th 1990) The Vernon

Lakers were making their second straight appearance in the National Championship hosted the 1990 Centennial Cup.

The Lakers went 3-1 in the round robin before beating the Nipawin Hawks 11-5 in the semifinals, before winning their first National Championship with a 6-5 overtime victory over the New Westminster Royals.

1990 Centennial Cup Summary from Wikipedia,

1990 Centennial Cup - Wikipedia

1990 Centennial Cup highlights,

1990 Centennial Cup (youtube.com)

Twenty eight years ago today (May 12th 1996) The
Vernon Vipers made their fifth trip to the National Championship, attended and won the Inaugural Royal Bank Cup in Melfort, Saskatchewan.

The Vipers went 2-2 in the round robin before defeating the Newmarket 87's 7-4 in the semifinals before winning their third National Championship shutting out the Melfort Mustangs 2-0

1996 Royal Bank Cup Summary from Wikipedia,

1996 Royal Bank Cup - Wikipedia

Saturday, May 11, 2024

On This Month In Vernon Lakers History:

Thirty three years ago this May (May 1991) The Vernon Lakers made

their third straight trip to the National Championship, attended and won the 1991 Centennial Cup in Sudbury, Ontario.

The Lakers went 2-2 in the round robin before defeating the Yorkton Terriers 7-4 in the semifinals before winning back to back Centennial Cups after a 8-4 victory over the Sudbury Cubs.

1991 Centennial Cup Summary from Wikipedia,

1991 Centennial Cup - Wikipedia

Vernon Junior Hockey Franchise History:

1961-1962 Vernon Jr. Canadians

1962-1967 Vernon Blades

1967-1973 Vernon Essos

1973-1978 Vernon Vikings

1978-1979 Vernon Canadians

1979-1980 No team

1980-1995 Vernon Lakers

1995-Present Vernon Vipers

Vernon Junior Hockey History website,

VernonJrAHockey.CA

Friday, May 10, 2024

On This Day In Vernon Vipers History:

Fifteen years ago today (May 10th 2009) The Vernon Vipers made

their seventh trip to the National Championship, attended and won the 2009 Royal Bank Cup in Victoria, BC

The Vipers went 4-0 during the round robin before defeating the Kingston Voyageurs 6-3 in the semifinals before winning their fifth National Championship shutting out the Humboldt Broncos 2-0

2009 Royal Bank Cup Summary from Wikipedia,

2009 Royal Bank Cup - Wikipedia

2009 Royal Bank Cup highlights,

RBC 2009 Highlights (youtube.com)

Thursday, May 9, 2024

On This Day In Vernon Vipers History:

Twenty five years ago today (May 9th 1999) The
Vernon Vipers made their sixth trip to the National Championship, attended and won the 1999 Royal Bank Cup in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. 

The Vipers went 1-3 during the round robin before defeating the Bramalea Blues 3-2 in the semifinals before winning their fourth National Championship with a 9-3 victory over the Charlottetown Abbies.

1999 Royal Bank Cup Summary from Wikipedia,

1999 Royal Bank Cup - Wikipedia

1999 Vernon Vipers tribute video,

1999 RBC Vernon Vipers (youtube.com)

Former Vernon Vipers owner Duncan Wray and former Vernon Vipers Head Coach/GM Troy Mick talk about the 1999 Vernon Vipers and their run to the Royal Bank Cup.

1999 Vernon Vipers RBC Cup Memories (youtube.com)

Fourteen years ago today (May 9th 2010) The Vernon Vipers made their eighth trip to the National Championship, attended and won the 2010 Royal Bank Cup in Dauphin, Manitoba.

The Vipers went 3-1 during the round robin before shutting out the Brockville Braves 2-0 in the semifinals before winning their sixth National Championship with a 8-1 victory over the Dauphin Kings.

2010 Royal Bank Cup Summary from Wikipedia,

2010 Royal Bank Cup - Wikipedia

2010 Royal Bank Cup highlights,

2010 RBC Highlights (youtube.com)

Vernon Vipers celebrate RBC Cup victory downtown,

Paint The Town Greene - Webisode 6 (youtube.com)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Ex Viper Lord Named ECHL Coach Of The Year:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Andrew Lord has been

named the ECHL Coach of the Year.

Former Vernon Lakers forward/captain Bruce Ramsay was named the ECHL Coach of the year in 2021 with Lord finishing second in voting. 


Here is the press release from the Greenville Swamp Rabbits website,


Greenville Swamp Rabbits | ANDREW LORD NAMED JOHN BROPHY ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR


Here is the press release from the ECHL website,


Lord is in his fourth season as Head Coach/GM/Dir. of Hockey Operations with the ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Lord and the Swamp Rabbits finished 1st in the South Division with a record of 44-23-4-1 Greenville made the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and captured the division title for the first time since 2010-11. Lord is 155-94-39 in the regular season and 14-18 in the postseason. Lord and the Swamp Rabbits lost to Orlando in six games in the South Division Semifinals.

Prior to joining the Swamp Rabbits, Lord spent seven years with the British Elite Ice Hockey League Cardiff Devils from 2013-2020 as player, Head Coach & director of Hockey Operations. The Devils are a Welsh ice hockey team that play in the BEIHL. 

After a scholarship to RPI (Rensselaer Poly Inst) from 2004-2008, Lord spent four years with four different teams in the ECHL & American Hockey League from 2008-2012.  (Wheeling Nailers, Milwaukee Admirals, Okloahoma City Barons & Rochester Americans) Lord missed the entire 2011-12 season due to injury returned the following year playing one season in Germany with SC Riessersee before signing with the British Elite Ice Hockey League Cardiff Devils in 2013.

Lord played two years in Vernon (2002-2004).  The Burnaby Bulldogs traded Lord to Vernon for defenceman Steve Jordan in August 2002. In 116 regular season games with the Vipers Lord collected (22-goals-50-assists-78-points).

Andrew Lord's Player Profile:

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

The Billets: Part 2 Vernon Vipers Say Goodbye

As the Vernon Vipers 2023-24 season has ended, many of the players wanted to wish and thank their billets for everything and more.

Here is Part 2 of the players goodbyes from the Vernon Vipers X page,

Vernon Vipers on X: "As we say good bye to our players! They say good bye to the backbones of every organization...THE BILLETS!! - Part 2 https://t.co/ZUa35qNNox" / X (twitter.com)

Monday, May 6, 2024

Former Vernon Laker Salmond/Team Canada Wins Gold At U18 World Championship:

Former Vernon Lakers forward Scott Salmond

and Team Canada won gold Sunday at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship after a 6-4 victory over the United States.

Here is the press release from hockeycanada.ca,


Salmond is Canada’s Senior Vice-President, High Performance & Hockey Operations. Salmond has been involved with Team Canada since 2001.

Salmond played parts of two years in Vernon (1988-1990) before being traded to the Kelowna Spartans during the 1989-90 season. In 52 games with the Vernon Lakers, Salmond collected (7-goals-26-assists-33-points). Salmond played in the BCJHL with Vernon, Kelowna, Bellingham & Merritt from 1988-1992. 

The Vernon Lakers were around from 1980-1995 before changing their name to the Vernon Vipers in 1995

Scott Salmond's Player/Coaching Profile: