Game Preview: Exhibition-Vernon @ Salmon Arm:

Vernon (0-0-0-0) @ Salmon Arm (0-1-0-0) 7pm start

Tonight is the first of a home & home Exhibition series between the Vernon Vipers & Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Silverbacks won the season series last year going 4-3-1-0 vs the Vipers.

Last Game:

Wednesday, August 26th Langley defeated Salmon Arm 5-2

Next Game:

Saturday, August 29th Salmon Arm @ Vernon

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 432-236-20-20

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 238-95-11-10 at home

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 195-131-9-10 on the road

Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon is 47-34-4-11 vs. Salmon Arm

Since the 2002-03 regular season Vernon has outscored Salmon Arm 318-313

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 20-14-1-6 at home vs. Salmon Arm

Since the 2003-04 regular season Vernon is 21-17-2-6 in Salmon Arm

Vernon is 2-7-0-1 in its last 10 regular season visits at the Shaw Centre

Vernon is 4-2-1-3 in its last 10 regular season home games vs Salmon Arm 

Vernon is 5-3-1-1 in its last 10 regular season games vs. Salmon Arm

The Vipers last regular season win at home vs Salmon Arm was a 2-1 victory on Friday, October 13th 2015

The Silverbacks last regular season win at Kal Tire Place was a 3-0 victory on Friday, January 30th 2015

The Vipers last regular season win at the Shaw Centre was a 7-5 victory on Friday, November 28th 2014

The Silverbacks last regular season win at the Shaw Centre vs Vernon was a 4-2 win on Saturday, February 21st 2015

The Vipers went 4-3-1-0 vs Salmon Arm last season

Lets take a look at the Vernon Vipers: 

Tonight is the first of four visits to the Shaw Centre this season and the first pre-season game of the year for the Vipers.  The Vipers finished last year with a 36-18-1-3 record finishing 2nd place in the Interior Division falling out in the Interior Division Finals in seven games to the Fred Page Cup Champion Penticton Vees.  The Vipers have nine players returning from last season have added a new Assistant Coach and trainer over the off season.  Tonight is the first of four pre-season games for Vernon who will play a home & home series with Salmon Arm & Prince George before opening the regular season at home September 11th vs Trail.  

Thomas Aldworth (37-19-56) lead the Vipers in goals last year with thirty six while Liam Finlay (23-41-64) lead the team in points with sixty four.

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Venom Blog

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/

Vernon Vipers 2014-15 Regular Season Stats:

Games Played: 58
Wins: 36
Losses: 18
Ties: 1
Overtime Losses: 3
Home Record: 20-6-1-1
Road Record: 16-12-0-2
Overtime Record: 1-2-1
Record vs Interior Division: 20-14-1-1
Record vs Island & Mainland Divisions: 16-4-0-2
Record in September: 2-2-0-1
Record in October: 5-3-0-0
Record in November 9-2-1-1
Record in December 6-3-0-0
Record in January 8-4-0-0
Record in February 6-4-0-1
When the Vipers score first: 24-3-1-1
When the opponents score first: 12-16-0-2
Leading after 1st Period: 18-2-1-1
Tied after 1st Period: 11-7-0-0
Trailing after 1st Period: 7-9-0-2
Leading after 2nd Period: 25-2-0-1
Tied after 2nd Period: 7-2-0-0
Trailing after 2nd Period: 4-14-1-1
Out shooting Opponents: 30-12-0-2
Out shot by Opponents: 5-5-1-1
One goal games: 7-6-0-3
Goals For: 218
Goals Against: 161
Place: 2nd Place
Streak: Finished the Season on a two game losing streak

Vernon Vipers Returning Players:

Liam Finlay (97)
Jagger Williamson (98)
Colton McCarthy (96)
Riley Brandt (96)
Nicholas Rasovic (96)
Blaine Caton (97)
Mitchell Oliver (97)
Linden Hora (96)
Jarrod Schamerhorn (95)

Vernon Vipers Departing & traded players from last years team:

Liam Coughlin (94)
Anthony Latina (94)
TJ Dumonceaux (94)
Luke Shiplo (95)
Luke Voltin (95)
Brandon Egli (94)
Mitch Meek (96)
Johhny Coughlin (95)
Kenny Citron (95)
Riley Guenther (94)
Mackenzie Bauer (96)
Danny Todosychuk (94)

Vernon’s Home record vs Salmon Arm last season:

2-1-1-0

Vernon’s Road record vs Salmon Arm last season:

1-3-0-0

Vernon’s scoring leaders vs Salmon Arm last season:

TJ Dumonceaux (4-3-7)
Thomas Aldworth (3-3-6)
Liam Coughlin (2-3-5)
Anthony Latina (3-1-4)
Jagger Williamson (1-3-4)
Luke Voltin (0-3-3)
Mitch Meek (2-1-3)
Luke Shiplo (0-3-3)
Riley Guenther (0-3-3)
Liam Finlay (2-1-3)
Johnny Coughlin (0-2-2)
Mitchell Oliver (0-1-1)
Riley Brandt (0-1-1)
Colton McCarthy (1-0-1)
Brandon Egli (0-1-1)
Kenny Citron (0-1-1)
Mackenzie Bauer (0-1-1)

Jarrod Schamerhorn (1-2-1 Record)
Danny Todosychuk (2-2 Record)

-Vernon finished last season with the leagues 4th best powerplay

-Vernon finished last season with the leagues 4th best penalty kill

Lets take a look at the Salmon Arm Silverbacks: 

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks opened the BCHL Exhibition season with a 5-2 loss at home to the visiting Langley Rivermen Wednesday.  The Silverbacks finished the 2014-15 season in 5th place missing the BCHL Playoffs for a second straight season with a record of 28-21-3-6 Salmon Arm has fourteen players coming back this season from last years squad, have also brought in a new Assistant Coach.  Tonight is the second of five pre-season games for the Silverbacks before they open the regular season vs the defending Western Canada Cup Champion Penticton Vees September 11th.  This is the first of nine exhibition-regular season games between the Silverbacks & Vipers this season.  The Backs went 3-1 at home vs Vernon last year have won eight of their last ten home games vs the Vipers.  The Backs have four former Vipers on their current roster.

Carson Bolduc (19-25-44) lead the Silverbacks lead in goals last season with nineteen while Taro Hirose (18-32-50) lead the team in points with fifty.

Logan Mick played two seasons with the Vipers (2012-2014) before being traded to Merritt then Salmon Arm.

Branden Wagner played in 24 games with the Vipers last season before being traded to Salmon Arm on December 1st 2014

Zach Dyment was an "AP" affiliated player with the Vipers during the 2013-14 season

Ryley Booth played in 10 games last season with the Vipers before being traded to Salmon Arm on October 28th 2014

Troy Mick played with the Vernon Lakers and was an Assistant Coach-Head Coach & GM with the Vernon Vipers before joining the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Ian Douglas's Salmon Arm Silverbacks blog

http://backstalk.wordpress.com/

Salmon Arm Silverbacks 2014-15 Regular Season Stats:

Games Played: 58
Wins: 28
Losses: 21
Ties: 3
Overtime Losses: 6
Home Record: 16-9-2-2
Road Record: 12-12-1-4
Goals For: 187
Goals Against: 176
Place: 5th Place 
Streak: Finished the season on a two game losing streak

Salmon Arm Silverbacks Returning Players:

Josh Blanchard (96)
Carson Bolduc (96)
Ryley Booth (96)
Damian Chrcek (96)
Ross Heidt (96)
Taro Hirose (96)
Nick Hutchison (95)
Joshua Laframboise (96)
Logan Mick (96)
Phil Middleton (95)
Colton Thibault (95)
Branden Wagner (96)
Angus Redmond (95)
Zach Dyment (96)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks  Departing & traded players from last years team:

Andrew Farny (95)
Shane Danyluk (94)
Bryden Marsh (94)
Thomas Plese (94)
Jordan Burns (95)
Chase Priskie (96)
Taylor Maruya (95)
Anthony Gardner (95)
Jack Berezan (95)

Salmon Arm's Home record vs. Vernon last season:

3-1-0-0

Salmon Arm's Road record vs. Vernon last season:

1-2-1-0

Salmon Arm's scoring leaders vs. Vernon last season:

Carson Bolduc (3-4-7)

Taro Hirose (3-3-6)
Shane Danyluk (1-5-6)
Taylor Maruya (2-4-6)

Phil Midleton (2-3-5)

Thomas Plese (2-2-4)
Chase Priskie (1-2-3)

Ross Heidt (1-2-3)
Karl El-Mir (1-1-2)
Andrew Farny (0-2-2)
Bryden Marsh (1-1-2)
Damian Chrcek (0-2-2)

Josh Blanchard (1-1-2)
Colton Thibault (0-2-2)
Joshua Laframboise (2-0-2)

Logan Mick (1-0-1)
Ryley Booth (0-1-1)

Angus Redmond (4-3-1 Record)

-Salmon Arm finished last season with the leagues 12th best powerplay

-The Silverbacks finished last year with the league's 12th best penalty kill

Here's a look at both teams rosters:

Vernon Vipers:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224096

Salmon Arm Silverbacks:

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/stats_1team.cfm?leagueID=2393&clientID=1413&teamid=224097

Vets In Viper Crease:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vets in Viper crease
         
Aug 28, 2015

Tyler Lowey

Morning Star Staff

The Vernon Vipers will be leaning on veteran presence for their last line of defence as the enter their B.C. Hockey League exhibition season with a pair of 20-year-old netminders.

Kelowna product Jarrod Schamerhorn bounced around five different teams and two different leagues the past five seasons. Now, after a breakthrough year with the Vipers, he has a place to call home.

“I love coming back here,” said Schamerhorn. “The fans, the coaches and everyone treated me like family last year. It’s like coming home again.”

Completing his most successful year in Junior, Schamerhorn went 24-12-1 with a .907 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average.

He has also played with the Nanaimo Clippers and Merritt Centennials of the BCHL and the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.

Schamerhorn didn’t just hang out at Gyro Beach checking out the scenery after nearly knocking off the Penticton Vees in Game 7 of the Interior Division Finals. He spent his summer in the lab, working on his game.

“I trained everyday with my trainer in Kelowna and worked a lot with my goalie coach in Penticton about playing bigger and using better angles,” said Schamerhorn. “I’m going to use my size a lot better this year.”

The other 20-year-old tendy is Alaskan product Andrew Shortridge, and he is enjoying the competition at camp so far.

“The compete level is pretty high here. Everyone wants to be in net and be the No. 1 guy,” said Shortridge. “But everyone is so nice here and they are great guys. It’s a friendly and extremely competitive camp; it’s great.”

Shortridge played for the Aberdeen Wings of South Dakota in the North American Hockey League. He went 15-15-1 with a .913 save percentage and a 2.57 goals against average.

“Competition is good in camp, lots of jobs are still available. Guys are going out and competing and that’s what we want to see,” said Vipers’ head coach/GM Mark Ferner. “Andrew is a good goalie and the other guy, (Joseph) McLeod is pretty good too.”

McLeod turns 18 in October and played with the Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence Prep program.

“Until the real bullets start to fly, it’s hard to evaluate anything we have seen so far in camp,” said Ferner, who is busy implementing habits and strategy during a week of practice. “Most teams might not think it’s smart keeping two 20-year-old goalies, but I’m looking at it as a luxury.”

The coaching staff will wait until the end of the weekend before trimming the roster any further.

The Vipers open their exhibition season with a home and home series with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. They travel to the Shaw Centre tonight (7 p.m.) and host the Silverbacks Saturday night (6 p.m.) at Kal Tire Place.

The Vipers regular season home opener goes Friday, Sept. 11 (7 p.m.) when they entertain the Trail Smoke Eaters at Kal Tire Place.

Vernon product Cole Woodlife scored once for Team White in a 7-6 loss to Team Blue in the Merritt Centennials’ intrasquad game Wednesday.

Woodliffe, 18, compiled 22 goals and 48 points with the KIJHL Summerland Steam last year, adding one goal in seven call-ups with the West Kelowna Warriors.

Vernon’s Brett Jewell is also in Merritt’s camp. The 18-year-old produced 18 goals and 30 points with the KIJHL Osoyoos Coyotes last season. He got in seven games with the Cents.

Both Woodliffe and Jewell are forwards.

Vernon-Langley Trade:

This is posted on the BCHL website:

27-Aug-15 The Langley Rivermen have acquired the CJHL playing rights to Luke Voltin(95)F) from the Vernon Vipers in exchange for future considerations

Luke Voltin's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=151826

Vernon Vipers 2015-16 Schedule:

Vernon Vipers 2015-16 Schedule:

August:

Friday, August 28th Exhibition-Vernon @ Salmon Arm 7pm
Saturday, August 29th Exhibition-Salmon Arm @ Vernon 6pm

September:

Friday, September 4th Exhibition-Vernon @ Prince George 7pm
Saturday, September 5th Exhibition-Prince George @ Vernon 6pm
Friday, September 11th Trail @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, September 12th Vernon @ Trail 7:30pm
Wednesday, September 16th Vernon @ Penticton 7pm
Friday, September 18th Coquitlam @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, September 19th Chilliwack @ Vernon 6pm
Saturday, September 26th Vernon @ Wenatchee 3:30pm (BCHL Showcase-In Chilliwack)
Sunday, September 27th Cowichan @ Vernon 10am (BCHL Showcase-In Chilliwack)

October:

Friday, October 2nd Vernon @ Powell River 7:15pm
Saturday, October 3rd Vernon @ Nanaimo 6pm
Sunday, October 4th Vernon @ Victoria 2pm
Friday, October 9th Nanaimo @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, October 10th Prince George @ Vernon 6pm
Wednesday, October 14th Trail @ Vernon 7pm
Friday, October 16th Merritt @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, October 17th Vernon @ Merritt 7:30pm
Friday, October 23rd West Kelowna @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, October 24th Victoria @ Vernon 6pm
Wednesday, October 28th Salmon Arm @ Vernon 7pm
Friday, October 30th Trail @ Vernon 7pm

November:

Friday, November 6th Vernon @ Alberni Valley 7pm
Saturday, November 7th Vernon @ Cowichan 7pm
Sunday, November 8th Vernon @ Surrey 4pm
Tuesday, November 10th Merritt @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, November 14th Vernon @ Wenatchee 7:05pm
Wednesday, November 18th Merritt @ Vernon 7pm
Friday, November 20th Vernon @ West Kelowna 7pm
Sunday, November 22nd Alberni Valley @ Vernon 2pm
Wednesday, November 25th Vernon @ Penticton 7pm
Friday, November 27th Vernon @ Salmon Arm 7pm
Saturday, November 28th Salmon Arm @ Vernon 6pm

December:

Wednesday, December 2nd Vernon @ Coquitlam 7pm
Friday, December 4th Vernon @ Penticton 7pm
Saturday, December 5th Cowichan @ Vernon 6pm
Wednesday, December 9th Salmon Arm @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, December 12th Vernon @ Langley 6pm
Tuesday, December 15th Penticton @ Vernon 7pm
Wednesday, December 16th Vernon @ Trail 7:30pm
Friday, December 18th Merritt @ Vernon 7pm
Sunday, December 20th Powell River @ Vernon 2pm

January:

Friday, January 1st Penticton @ Vernon 7pm
Friday, January 8th Penticton @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, January 9th Vernon @ Merritt 8pm
Tuesday, January 12th Vernon @ West Kelowna 7pm
Friday, January 15th Vernon @ Salmon Arm 7pm
Friday, January 22nd West Kelowna @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, January 23rd Vernon @ Trail 7:30pm
Friday, January 29th Salmon Arm @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, January 30th Vernon @ Salmon Arm 7pm

February:

Wednesday, February 3rd Vernon @ Prince George 7pm
Tuesday, February 9th Vernon @ Merritt 7pm
Friday, February 12th Langley @ Vernon 7pm
Tuesday, February 16th Vernon @ West Kelowna 11am
Wednesday, February 17th West Kelowna @ Vernon 11am
Friday, February 19th Vernon @ West Kelowna 7pm
Saturday, February 20th Vernon @ Chilliwack 7pm
Tuesday, February 23rd Surrey @ Vernon 7pm
Friday, February 26th Wenatchee @ Vernon 7pm
Saturday, February 27th Vernon @ Trail 7:30pm

Vipers Trim Camp Roster To 31

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers trim camp roster to 31
                   
Aug 26, 2015

Tyler Lowey

Morning Star Staff

Hockey is back in Vernon as Kal Tire Place has a cold crispness in the air, the boards and glass are puck-streak free and the parking lot was packed to see an intersquad game in training camp.

More than 300 people filtered in, grasping roster sheets so they could catch a glimpse of the new Vipers as they prepare for the B.C. Hockey League season.

“It has been a good couple of days and we have a couple of kids that are looking real good,” said Vipers’ assistant coach Kevin Kraus.

The Vipers broke camp on Friday with scrimmages running throughout the weekend. The last game was the main event and saw the Whites bounce the Blues 7-3.

The Vipers brought 70 hopefuls into camp and cut the group to 31 skaters, including three goalies and nine returnees.

Peter Tufto is 18 and made the 20-hour drive from Minnesota with his dad.

“The camp has been lots of fun and there are a lot of good players here,” said Tufto, who stands 5-foot-7 and played for St. Thomas Academy in the United States High School league.

Tufto is billeting with Liam Finlay, who tallied 22 goals and 59 points for the Snakes last winter.

“We have been skating all week together and I think we have good chemistry. We finally got to play together tonight and I think our game has similar style,” said Tufto, who scored the first goal for the Blues and added one assist.

Rookie Ryan Cooper of St. Albert sniped the top shelf on a drop pass from veteran Blaine Caton and Finlay scored one for blue.

Great Britain prospect Zach Sullivan pulled the hat trick and Jimmy Lambert added 2+1, while Joey Cipollone and Hunter Zandee chipped in singles for White.

The game was intense, but not a bruising affair. Calgary product Levi Hulston was one of the few dishing out hits.

“We rested a few of our physical vets to let some of our younger guys have a chance,” said Kraus. “We saw a lot of good things from guys like Tufto, Steven Jandric, Joey Cipollone, Tak Anholt and Griffin James. We are going to be a very mobile team this year.”

One major take away from the final exhibition game was the pace of play.

Players were in their fourth and fifth game of the weekend but still had plenty of gas left in the tank to put on a speedy show for the loyal fans.

“The speed here is faster than most camps. There is a lot of small, young guys here,” said  Zandee.

Zandee was acquired via trade with the West Kelowna Warriors earlier in the month and like Tufto, Zandee found the best chemistry when he was paired up with a Viper from last year.

“I liked playing with Jagger (Williamson) out there. He played in the league last year and is a great player,” said Zandee. “It has been a good, hard-working camp, with a great group of guys and I am ready to get this season going.”

The Vipers invited seven goalies to camp, including14-year-old Boston Bilous of Langley.

Bilous started for Blue and only let in two goals. He was subbed halfway through by Tyler Shugrue. Greg Maggio got the call in between the pipes for White and was replaced by Joesph McLeod, who stopped every shot he faced.

Following the game, Bilous was released from camp. He is too young for the team but enjoyed the experience.

“It’s a faster pace than I am used to at the younger level, but I am happy with my game and my performance so far,” said Bilous, who played for the Delta Hockey Academy Bantam Prep last season and recorded a 2.48 goals against average and a .889 save percentage in 11 games.

“The guys have been great. Jarrod Schamerhorn has been great in helping show me how to be a BCHL goalie,” said Bilous.

“It’s never easy releasing all these kids,” said Viper head coach/GM Mark Ferner. “Some of them were just too young. But, hopefully they had a good time here at camp and in three, four years when they are ready to play at this level, they come back,” said Ferner.

The coaches were only spectators this week, as BCHL rules prohibited them from time on the ice with the kids. Now, with the camp cut in half, the coaches took to the ice Monday afternoon for practice.

“The games were a little sloppy, but not too bad,” said  Ferner. “There wasn’t much structure, so we will spend this week implementing our structure and detail.”

The Vipers will practise everyday as they gear up for their first exhibition game with the Silverbacks Friday night in Salmon Arm at the Shaw Centre.

“We can’t look too far down the road to the games against Salmon Arm, we still have a long week of work ahead of us,” said Ferner.

The Vipers host the Silverbacks 6 p.m. Saturday night at Kal Tire Place. Vernon opens the season at home, Friday, Sept. 11 versus the Trail Smoke Eaters.

SNAKE BITES: Vernon’s Nick Higgs, a defenceman with the Okanagan Major Midget Rockets last year, enjoyed a strong Blue-White game and is still in camp...D Matt Halvorson, a Vernon product who played for the KIJHL North Okanagan Knights last season, also survived the cuts...Former Viper F Demico Hannoun was in Penticton Vees’ camp Monday for the start of his fifth BCHL season. Hannoun has played 256 games, including playoffs...The 2016 Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup goes April 30-May 8 at Affinity Place in Estevan, Sask....The Royal Bank Cup is May 14-22 in the Saskatchewan-Alberta border town of Lloydminster.

Vipers Lose Loyal Fan-Season Ticket Holder: R.I.P Don Mierau (1937-2015)

I would like to take this time to send my thought's and paryers and condolences out to the Mierau family.  While watching the Vipers Training Camp on Saturday I first got word that the Vernon Vipers & their fans have lost another diehard-loyal season ticket holder after the passing of Don Mierau over the summer.  I didnt know Don's last name, so I must have missed his obituary in the paper.    

I first met Don in Dauphin, Manitoba at the 2010 Royal Bank Cup.  The two of us met at the rink as we both watched and cheered on our Vipers, both watching the Vipers win their second straight National Championship.  Since then we became good friends at the rink.  We got to know one another and always enjoyed talking hockey or talking about the Vipers before and during Viper games.    A very humble, soft spoken man that was very kind and a great friend. Don was always a big fan of my blog and one of my true supporters.  He once told me he always enjoyed waking up in the morning to see what article or posting I would have waiting for him to read.  Don always come to me regarding info on the Vipers.  He use to say I was the Vipers encyclopedia.    

I never met or knew Don's family but I do know Don will truly be missed around Kal Tire Place by his so called second family, us the Viper fans.  Going to the games wont be the same without you! I will miss our hockey talk before and during the Viper games. 

R.I.P. Don  Go Vipers Go!

This was in the Morning Star Newspaper:

MIERAU, DONALD JAMES 1937 ~ 2015

Tuesday, 11 Aug 2015

Our Dad passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. Dad’s health had been failing in the months before Mom’s passing this past May, and after Mom was gone, he found it increasingly difficult to cope with planning meals, remembering his medications, and the loss of the lifestyle they had enjoyed for a few days short of 55 years. He would say that he had nobody to talk hockey with anymore or decide how many tomato plants to plant. Even after she was gone, he would stop at the grocery store for milk as he had done so often, and then stop and think to himself…”hmph, I wonder who told me we needed milk?” He has always commented on what a great cook Mom was, and her meals were missed in the past months.

Dad grew up on the family farm near Langham. His career with SaskPower started at the age of 17 when he climbed power poles and did all the things the company rookies did in those days. He would tell us how nauseating the bombardier rides were in the fields with the many feet of snow, and how he could never eat tomato rice soup again after one particular bombardier trip. He held many positions with SaskPower, finally retiring after 25 years of service at the age of 42. We remember people commenting on how young that was to be retiring, but we thought to ourselves….”well how many years is a person supposed to work anyway??” Young naiveté.

After he left “the Power”, he realized his lifelong dream and founded Aamar Rentals in Sutherland. He was so delighted to be a “businessman”, and in 1985, he sold his company to retire for good. In his retirement, he spent a few years selling cars and then real estate “part time”, but with a circle of friends and acquaintances like Dad had, these turned out to be far from just part-time jobs.

In 1989, Mom and Dad moved to the Okanagan - first to Winfield, and then to Vernon in 2001. Over the years, he enjoyed countless curling games, bonspiels, golf games, and coffee row sessions with his “boyfriends”. He would call it the Liar’s Club with the caveat that most of the actual lies were unintentional, but entertaining and informative just the same. Mom and Dad surveyed the entire province of BC in their van, mostly on day trips or overnighters that strangely happened to place them somewhere close to a casino for the night. Dad being Dad, he knew things about the history of the province and fascinating facts that few people would know…or care about.

In his last days, Dad so enjoyed the company of his sister, Dorothy. They talked about their younger years, and he had all the details straight. They shared stories in memory of their parents, their brothers, Russel and Elvin, and their sisters, Eileen and Marion. Dad has been such a great mentor, guide, and coach for his daughters, Charlotte (Roger Galera) and Leslee, and his shining star, granddaughter Charlyn. Brandy, his buddy who made a full-time job out of barking and begging for food, will join her “Mom and Dad” when it’s her time.

At Dad’s request, there will be no service. Our hope is that anyone wanting to remember him symbolically, do so through an act of kindness in keeping with Dad’s own nature.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online obituary @ www.myalternatives.ca.

Cremation arrangements entrusted to ALTERNATIVES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES Vernon 250-558-0866 & Armstrong 250-546-7237

Vipers Cut Roster Down To 32 Players:

This is posted on the Kiss FM website:

Vipers Down To 32 Players

Posted on 8/24/2015 by Pete McIntyre

They started the weekend with 70 players, but that's now down to 32 for the Vernon Vipers as they start their main training camp at Kal Tire Place.

"Basically we cut just over 20 Sunday night, and seven in the morning. Inevitably, some were too young. We had a 13 and 14 year old out there. That's what this was about. You can talk about this being a training camp, but It more about getting kids exposed to our program," says head coach Mark Ferner.

Ferner didn't want to single any one particular player out from the weekend of scrimmages, saying it's too early.

"It's tough because there was so many bodies out there," says Ferner. "But there is some good young talent here."

Ferner says the 70 players took part in non-coaching scrimmages over the weekend, which he admits could lead to disciplinary action as it was before the normal start of training camps.

"There are some teams that are complaining about it, but at the same time, we  feel like we didn't do it behind anyone's back. We got permission from the league."

The Vipers start a home and home pre-season series with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks this weekend with a game in the Shuswap Friday and at Kal Tire Place Saturday.

Former Vernon Lakers Defenceman Purinton Charged With Burglary:

Former Vernon Lakers defenceman Dale Purinton faces a first-degree burglary charge after stemming from an Aug. 11 assault investigation.

Purinton played one season in Vernon (1993-1994) collected (1-goal-6-assists-7-points) in 42 regular season games with the Lakers also racked up 193 penalty minutes.  Purinton was drafted by the New York Rangers in Round 5 117th overall in the 1995 NHL entry draft.

Dale Purinton's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=28491

This was in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper:

Ex-NHLer Dale Purinton charged with burglary:

BY POSTMEDIA NEWS AUGUST 20, 2015

An arrest warrant had been out on ex-NHLer Dale Purinton, who faces a first-degree burglary charge stemming from an Aug. 11 assault investigation. A mugshot of Dale Purinton obtained by Yahoo Sports.

Those eyes.

Former NHL defenceman Dale Purinton took a menacing mug shot earlier this week after being arrested for burglary in New York, according to police information in a report by Yahoo Sports.

Purinton, who racked up 578 penalty minutes in 181 games for the New York Rangers in the early 2000s, was taken into custody Wednesday by Oneida County police.

An arrest warrant had been out on Purinton, who faces a first-degree burglary charge stemming from an Aug. 11 assault investigation. According to police, the investigation has revealed the 38-year-old allegedly broke into a Utica, N.Y.-area residence and physically assaulted its sole occupant before fleeing the scene.

Back to the hall-of-fame worthy mug shot.

Purinton has a look on his face that lives at the intersection of stunned and evil. As Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo notes, if you are required to take a mug shot, take it right.

He hit it out of the park.

A tough guy on the ice, Purinton recorded four goals and 20 points in his NHL career. The Indiana-born, B.C.-raised blueliner was drafted by the Rangers in the fifth round of the 1995 NHL draft.

Since 2012, Purinton has coached the Kerry Park Islanders, a junior B hockey team on Vancouver Island. His contract was extended in July.

"Dale is an outstanding coach and we are absolutely thrilled to have him stay on with our club," Islanders general manager Mark Osmond said in a press release at the time of Purinton's extension.

"Dale is committed not only to our organization, but the community. His knowledge, passion, teaching ability and positive enthusiasm are beyond exceptional."

This was in the Syracuse Newspaper:

Former New York Ranger charged with first-degree burglary for Sylvan Beach incident

Brent Axe | baxe@syracuse.com

August 20, 2015

A former New York Rangers defenseman is facing first-degree burglary charges after an incident in Sylvan Beach.

Dale Purinton, 38, was arrested on Wednesday night.

The arrest stems from an assault investigation by deputies in Sylvan Beach that occurred on Aug. 11.

According to the Oneida County Sheriff's office, Purinton broke into a residence and caused physical injury to the sole occupant in the residence.

Purinton fled the scene prior to police arrival and the victim was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Utica for medical treatment. The victim was later released.

Purinton played for the Rangers from 1999-2004. He had 578 penalty minutes in 181 NHL games.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office located Purinton at a residence in the town of Laurens and he was taken into custody without incident, deputies report.

Purinton was then turned over to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit, deputies said.

Purinton was arraigned and sent to the Oneida County jail in lieu of $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond. He is due back in court on a later date.