Saturday, May 25, 2024

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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Other 279K

Audience - Pageviews by Browsers

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Search Keywords

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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:

Vipers Alumni Stapley Lead Utah Grizzlies In Scoring:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Brett Stapley lead the ECHL Utah Grizzlies in

assists with 47 and in points with 71 
during the 2023-24 regular season. Stapley finished twelfth in league scoring.

Utah Grizzlies 2023-24 regular season team statistics,


Stapley started the 2023-24 season with the American Hockey League Colorado Eagles. The Eagles signed Stapley August 3rd 2023 but never played a single game. The Eagles assigned Stapley to the ECHL Utah Grizzlies November 7th 2023. In 67 games with the Grizzlies, Stapley collected (24-goals-47-assists-71-points). Stapley and the Grizzlies finished fifth in the Mountain Division with a 31-36-5-0 regular season record, missing the Playoffs.

Stapley played last season with the ECHL Trois-Rivières Lions. In 45 games, Stapley collected (8-goals-34-assists-42-points).

Stapley played four seasons at the University of Denver from 2018-2022 before signing his first professional contract with the American Hockey League Laval Rocket August 30th 2022. The Rocket cut Stapley from training camp October 10th 2022 before signing with the ECHL Trois-Rivières Lions October 11th 2022.

Stapley attended the Anaheim Ducks development camp in 2017 & the Montreal Canadiens development camp in 2020. Stapley was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in Round 7 of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Stapley played three seasons in Vernon from 2015-2018. In 153 games with the Vipers, Stapley collected (47-goals-74-assists-121-points).

Brett Stapley's Player Profile:

Sunday, May 5, 2024

BCHL News & Trades:

BCHL News & Trades:

Nyman Commits To Penticton Vees For 2024-25 Season:

Vees land commitment from top Ontario defenceman Zach Nyman | Penticton Vees

Bulldogs Sign McDonald For 2024-25 Season:

Bulldogs Sign Lucas McDonald | Blackfalds Bulldogs

Silverbacks Sign Bursaw For 2024-25 Season:

Silverbacks add more offensive firepower for 2024/25 | Salmon Arm Silverbacks (sasilverbacks.com)

Chiefs Sign Malhotra For 2024-25 Season:

Caleb Malhotra Signs with Chiefs | Chilliwack Chiefs

Bucks Regular Season Building Blocks Laying Foundation For Bright Future:

Regular season building blocks laying foundation for bright future | Cranbrook Bucks

Nanaimo Clippers Sign Biakabutuka For 2024-25 Season:

Highly Touted Defenceman Anthony Biakabutuka Joins Nanaimo | Nanaimo Clippers

Blackfalds Bulldogs Sign O'Keeffe For 2024-25 Season:

Bulldogs Sign Liam O’Keeffe | Blackfalds Bulldogs

Potulny Commits To Vees For 2024-25 Season:

Vees land commitment from forward Jack Potulny | Penticton Vees

Salmon Arm Signs Lewis For 2024-25 Season:

Silverbacks add local goalie for next season | Salmon Arm Silverbacks (sasilverbacks.com)

Pai Commits To Bulldogs For 2024-25 Season:

Nayan Pai Commits to Bulldogs | Blackfalds Bulldogs

Spruce Grove Saints Add Kenny To Roster As Black Ace:

Gabriel Kenny Added to Saints’ Active Roster as Black Ace | Spruce Grove Saints (sgsaints.ca)

Grizzlies Announce New Ownership:

Victoria Grizzles Announce Exciting New Chapter with Change in Ownership | Victoria Grizzlies

Bulldogs To Be Without Goal Horn For Round 1 Of Playoffs:

Bulldogs Will Be Without Famous Goal Horn For Round 1 | Alberni Valley Bulldogs

Saturday, May 4, 2024

The Billets: Part 1 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 they did and more.

Here is Part 1 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!! https://t.co/NCnkdteEbQ" / X (twitter.com)

Friday, May 3, 2024

Everblades Add Ex Vipers Lansdell & Skirving To 2024 Playoff Roster:

Former Vernon Vipers forwards Jesse Lansdell & Todd Skirving are two of

nineteen players added to the ECHL Florida Everblades 2024 Playoff roster.

Here is the press release from the Florida Everblades website,


Florida Everblades | Everblades Announce 2023-24 Playoff Roster


Lansdell & Skirving and the Everblades opened the 1st round of the ECHL Playoffs vs the Jacksonville Icemen in the South Division Semifinals. The Everblades won the best of seven playoff series 4 games to 3 after a 4-0 win in Game 7 May 1st 2024. The Everblades move on to the South Division Finals vs the Orlando Solar Bears. In 7 playoff games, Lansdell has (0-goals-1-assist-1-point) and in 6 games, Skirving has (0-goals-1-assist-1-point).


Lansdell is in his first season with the ECHL Florida Everblades. In 6 regular season games, Lansdell collected (2-goals-0-assists-2-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:

Jesse Lansdell - Stats, Contract, Salary & More (eliteprospects.com)


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 60 regular season games with the Growlers, Skirving collected (8-goals-6-assists-14-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:

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Allen Americans Add Vipers Alumni Finlay To 2024 Playoff Roster:

Former Vernon Vipers forward Liam Finlay is one of twenty four

players added to the ECHL Allen Americans 2024 Playoff roster.

Here is the press release from the Allen Americans website,


Finlay and the Americans opened the first round of the ECHL Playoffs vs the Idaho Steelheads in the Mountain Division Semifinals. The Steelheads won the best of seven playoff series 4 games to 1 after a 5-3 victory in Game 5 on April 28th. In 5 Playoff games, Finlay collected (1-goal-2-assists-3-points).

Finlay is in his second season with the Americans. The Americans re-signed Finlay July 13th 2023. In 26 regular season games, Finlay collected (8-goals-11-assist-19-points).

Finlay spent the 2022-23 season with ECHL Allen Americans. The Americans signed Finlay September 27th 2022. In 54 games last season, Finlay collected (33-goals-37-assists-70-points). On April 12th 2023 Finlay was named to the ECHL 2022-23 All-Rookie team.

Finlay played the previous two seasons in Europe playing with four different teams (KOVEE, HK Nitra, Tingsryds AIF & EHC Freiburg) from 2020-2022.

Finlay played four years at Denver University from 2016-2020 before signing his first professional contract with Koovee September 7th 2020. Koovee is a Finnish ice hockey team that plays in the Mestis, second-tier league where the team is based in Tampere, Finland. 

Finlay attended the Vancouver Canucks development camp in July 2019.

Finlay played parts of two seasons in Vernon (2014-2016) after coming over in a trade with the Penticton Vees. The Vipers traded the Junior A playing rights of Dakota Conroy & future considerations October 28th 2014 to the Penticton Vees for Liam Finlay. In 96 games with the Vipers, Finlay collected (39-goals-69-assists-109-points).

Liam Finlay's Player Profile:

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Looking Back At The Vees Five-Game Series Win Over Vernon:

Here is a series review of the Penticton Vees and Vernon Vipers latest Playoff matchup. The Vees won the best of seven Playoff series 4-1 and advance to the Interior Conference Finals vs the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Here is the press release from the Penticton Vees website,

Series Review: Looking back at the Vees five-game series win over Vernon | Penticton Vees

NHL Preparing For Possible CHL-NCAA Rule Change:

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has reported the NCAA is considering removing all restrictions for CHL players to play in the NCAA.

Here is the press release from sportsnet.ca,

NHL preparing for possible CHL-NCAA rule change (sportsnet.ca)