The Vipers Challege You To $2 Per Goal!

Vernon Vipers are Painting the Rink Pink again on October 24th when they host the Prince George Spruce Kings to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. The Vipers will be wearing limited edition jerseys that will be auctioned off at the game, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society. First Choice Haircutters will be on hand cutting hair by donation and the Vernon Vipers are challenging all businesses and fans to meet or beat a $2 per goal donation. $2 per person may not sound like much but together we can make a significant difference. Get your co-workers, friends and family together and collectively donate per goal and help make cancer history.

Come enjoy a great game of hockey and help fight a great cause! Other events at the game include a silent auction and frisbee toss. Stay posted for auction items and sponsor donations!

For more information or to pledge a donation please contact the Vipers Office at 250-542-6022.
 
Fans can also donate by visiting The Vipers Event Page on the Canadian Cancer Website (click here)

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
FOR 2010 WORLD JUNIOR A CHALLENGE

Before the battle for gold begins on November 8, Canada’s two World Junior A Challenge entries will get a chance to stretch their legs and the hometown Penticton Vees will see how they stack up against international competition when exhibition action comes to the Okanagan.


Canada West and Canada East will both hit the ice twice before the games count in the standings, including an all-Canadian match-up at the Wesbild Centre in Vernon, B.C. on Friday, November 5. The westerners then head to the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton the following night to face the United States in a rematch of the last two WJAC gold medal games, while Canada East rolls into West Kelowna, B.C. to take on Russia at Royal LePage Place.

The Canada West-United States game is the first half of a doubleheader at the SOEC on Saturday, November 6 – the Vees will look to defend their home rink in the nightcap when they face Switzerland.

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE
Friday, November 5
Canada West vs. Canada East 7 p.m. PT Wesbild Centre Vernon, B.C.

Saturday, November 6
Canada West vs. United States 3pm SOEC Penticton, B.C.
Canada East vs. Russia 7pm Royal LePage Place West Kelowna, B.C.
Penticton Vees vs. Switzerland 7pm SOEC Penticton, B.C.

TICKET INFORMATION

Vernon, B.C. – Tickets are available for $10 each and can be purchased at the Vernon Vipers office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, or on any Vipers game day at the Wesbild Centre box office starting at 9 a.m. Tickets can also be booked over the phone with Visa or MasterCard at 250-542-6022.

Penticton, B.C. – Tickets are available for $10 each and can be purchased in person at the South Okanagan Events Centre box office, by phone at 1-877-763-2849 or online at http://www.valleyfirsttix.com/.

West Kelowna, B.C. – Tickets are available for $10 each and can be purchased by phone at 250-762-5050 or online at www.selectyourtickets.com/sports/warriors.

Vipers To Paint The Rink Pink Again

The Vernon Vipers will be getting back from a weekend on the road with 4 out of a possible 6 points. Taking there only loss on Friday against Prince George! Redemption was sweet though as they then beat the Spruce Kings 6-0 on Sunday afternoon. Now the Vipers have a very busy October with a road game every Friday and a home game every Saturday plus a couple Sunday games and one Wednesday game. But the biggest thing about October is the Vipers 2nd Annual Paint The Rink Pink night scheduled for Sunday October 25th! The Vipers will soon have a link on their website for family and fans to donate online and once again the Vipers will have limited edition jerseys with all proceeds going to The Canadian Cancer Society! We hope everyone can support us on our efforts as once again we want to raise as much as we can for this great cause! Fans and sponsors are also encouraged to donate prizes for the event and Bounce Hire will be on location with a ton of great interactive games for the fans to enjoy. For more information or to donate please contact the Vipers Office at 250-542-6022.


Coming up this weekend the Vipers will host the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday night. The game is sponsored by The Pantry Restaurant and presented by On Side Restoration. Tell everyone you see to come out and cheer on your Vernon Vipers as they host the Capitals for the only time in the regular season!!!

Cents Steel two points from Vipers

Roger knox

Morning Star Staff



The only things making it a more perfect result for Tyler Steel would have been scoring the winning goal and being named a game star.
However, the Vernon product made 31 saves, including three in overtime, to give the Merritt Centennials their first B.C. Hockey League win of the season, a 5-4 double overtime decision over the Vernon Vipers – the same team that cut Steel late in training camp – in front of 1,405 fans Tuesday at the Wesbild Centre.
“I just went into it like any other game I was playing, I got really focused and was determined to get a win in my first time playing in my hometown,” said Steel, 17, who had family and a bunch of friends in the stands as he picked up his first BCHL win. “It crossed my mind a little bit that I wanted to send the Vipers a bit of a message, but I just wanted to prove to everyone that I can play in this league and be good in this league.
“I thought I did pretty good. I want that last one back, but we ended up winning, that’s a good thing. We worked really hard, guys played their roles very well, everyone just played great.”
Defenceman Jeff Zmurchyk scored his first of the year 1:20 into double overtime for the 1-5 Centennials. He picked up a loose puck in his own end during the three-on-three, skated into Vernon territory and wired a wrist shot from the left face-off circle that cleanly beat Vipers rookie goalie Bryton Udy – the man who beat out Steel for the back-up role to Blake Voth – on the glove side.
The Vipers forced overtime when Dylan Walchuk banged in a puck on the doorstep with 33 seconds left in regulation time. Kyle Murphy started the play by driving to the net around a Centennials defender and getting a high shot away on Steel. The puck dropped to Walchuk, the game’s second star, who fought off a check to put in his second of the night and fourth of the year.
Merritt had taken a 3-2 lead just three minutes earlier on a penalty shot goal from first star Dustin Johnson. Referee Mike Boisvert awarded the shot after Vernon defenceman Steve Weinstein dove on the puck in the crease behind Udy as a Merritt shot hit Udy high on the chest, went up in the air over his head and landed behind him in the crease.
Johnson went to the backhand and beat Udy over the right shoulder for the go-ahead goal, setting the stage for Walchuk’s equalizer.
“We’re not used to having to defend one-goal leads late in the game, that’s our first time doing it,” said Merritt head coach Luke Pierce, a former Viper. “It’s something, like everything, that’s a lesson that our guys are going to learn. I liked our effort level. It wasn’t from a lack of trying, it was from a breakdown. Give Vernon a lot of credit, especially Dylan Walchuk. I thought he was one of the best players on the ice tonight.”
Walchuk opened the scoring at 3:34 of the first with a goal similar to his game-tying marker. He stood at the edge of the crease and scored on a rebound after Steel stoned David Robinson and Mark Basara in close.
The Centennials tied the game with their first of three powerplay goals on the evening less than two minutes later. Stephen Wall won a face-off to Udy’s right in Vernon territory, and Merritt leading scorer Regan Soquila, one of 11 rookies in the Centennials lineup, ripped his fourth of the year past Udy.
Merritt took the lead with the man advantage with only 16 seconds left in the opening frame as Johnson tried to pass from behind the net. The puck went off defenceman Elliot Richardson’s skate and through Udy’s legs.
Vernon scored the only goal of the second period when Weinstein deflected a Bryce Kakoske shot from the point on the powerplay that went five-hole on Steel.
Basara gave Vernon a 3-2 edge 3:53 into the third when a point shot his leg as he was screening Steel and got past the Merritt netminder.
Jeff Jones, who earlier in the week committed to Robert Morris University, an NCAA Division 1 school in Pittsburgh, tied the game for Merritt on the power play at 6:43, one-timing a cross-ice pass from Johnson past Udy.
Jones was the game’s third star.
“Tonight’s loss is obviously very disappointing,” said Vernon head coach Mark Ferner. “We had some guys with some good efforts but just not enough. It’s unacceptable. We win as a team, lose as a team. We needed to be better in a lot of different areas, our penalty kill, our own-end play, our efforts away from the puck. Right now we’re not there.”
The game marked the debut of Coldstream defenceman Max Mowat for the Vipers. He was acquired after being cut by the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. Mowat saw a regular shift paired with Richardson.
“It’s been a good experience since I’ve been here, I’ve liked the guys ever since I’ve been here,” said Mowat, who practiced Monday with the team for the first time. “We had it going there for a bit tonight then we got outworked.”
The Vipers visit Prince George Friday night and Sunday afternoon, and travel to Quesnel to face the host Millionaires Saturday. Next home game for Vernon is Saturday, Oct. 2, against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.

CANADA WEST EVALUATION CAMP ROSTER ANNOUNCED

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), announced on Tuesday the 41 players that will attend the Canada West evaluation camp in preparation for the 2010 World Junior A Challenge.


The evaluation camp, scheduled for September 27-28, will be held at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, B.C., the same venue that will host the 2010 World Junior A Challenge from November 8-14.

Mark MacMillan (Penticton, BCHL) has been invited to camp, but will be unable to take part due to injury. He remains under consideration for a place on the final Canada West roster, which will be named in late October.

Canada West has appeared in the gold medal game at all four previous World Junior A Challenges, winning gold in 2006 in Yorkton, Sask., and 2007 in Trail, B.C., before settling for silver in 2009 in Camrose, Alta., and last year in Summerside, P.E.I.

The Canada West roster is comprised of players from the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).

“As a coaching staff, we are looking forward to bringing together 41 of the top Junior A players in western Canada for the evaluation camp,” said head coach Larry Wintoneak of the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers. “It will be exciting not only for us, but for the fans in Penticton as well to watch these players compete.”

Canada West’s evaluation camp roster includes:

• Four (4) goaltenders, 12 defensemen and 25 forwards

• Ten (10) players returning from the 2009 World Junior A Challenge (Breitkreuz, Dias, Downing, Fritz, Gallacher, Ginn, Halcrow, Laleggia, Marshall, O’Donnell)

• Three (3) players drafted in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft (Gallacher – Florida, 4th round, 93rd overall; MacMillan – Montreal, 4th round, 113th overall; Marshall – Tampa Bay, 6th round, 156th overall)

• Fourteen (14) players from the BCHL, 11 players from the AJHL, eight (8) players from the SJHL, five (5) players from the MJHL and three (3) players from the SIJHL


CAMP SCHEDULE

Monday, September 27
9:15-10:30 a.m. Practice Red
10:45 a.m.-noon Practice White
7:30 p.m. Game Red vs. White

Tuesday, September 28
9:15-10:30 a.m. Practice White
10:45 a.m.-noon Practice Red
7:30 p.m. Game Red vs. White

All practices are free to attend. Tickets to the two Red-White games are available for just $5. Tickets can be purchased in person at the South Okanagan Events Centre box office. In addition, fans who have already purchased a 13-game, full-tournament package will receive complimentary tickets to the evaluation camp; tickets can be picked up at the South Okanagan Events Centre box office.

Canada West will play in Group B at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, joined by Russia and Switzerland, while Canada East, Sweden and the United States will comprise Group A. Round-robin play will run until Wednesday, November 10, with both semifinals taking place on Saturday, November 13. The gold medal game, which will be shown nationally on TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, is set for Sunday, November 14 (check your local listings). All preliminary round games, quarter-finals, semifinals and the bronze medal game can be seen live via webcast through FASTHockey at hockeycanada.fasthockey.com.


For more information on the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, visit www.hockeycanada.ca/wjac.


BCHL Players
Matt Ginn, Goaltender, Victoria Grizzlies

Kirby Halcrow, Goaltender, Quesnel Millionaires
Joel Rumpel, Goaltender, Penticton Vees
Tim Daly, Defenceman, Langley Chiefs
Joey Laleggia, Defenceman, Penticton Vees
Josh Monk, Defenceman, Salmon Arm SilverBacks
Marcus Basara, Forward, Vernon Vipers
Madison Dias, Forward, Victoria Grizzlies
Grayson Downing, Forward, Westside Warriors
Mark MacMillan, Forward, Penticton Vees*
Sam Mellor, Forward, Trail Smoke Eaters
Brendan O'Donnell, Forward, Penticton Vees
Travis St. Denis, Forward, Trail Smoke Eaters
Dylan Walchuk, Forward, Vernon Vipers
*Unable to take part due to injury.

Basara Brings a Championship Pedigree

Don Klepp
Winners are drawn to winning programs, so it’s no surprise that Marcus Basara ended up in Vernon.


The 17-year-old Coquitlam native played the last two years at Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan. He was a prominent member of the 2010 Telus Cup champion Notre Dame Hounds, registering 37 goals and 28 assists in 43 games.

He was the Hounds’ top scorer and second in the league in goals. That’s no small feat in an AAA Midget league whose representative has won five of the last Telus Cups and six of the last ten.

Marcus was courted by the WHL Prince Albert Raiders, who coveted the speedy winger’s scoring touch. However, he chose the Vipers because, as he says, “I always wanted to come here. That record speaks for itself. Those national championships – you know they’re doing something right in Vernon!”

It didn’t hurt that Patrick McGillis, a Notre Dame alumnus who was the Hounds’ captain in 2008-2009, was already on the Viper roster. “Yes, it was pretty cool to come here and suit up with Pat; he was a real leader with the Hounds.”

Marcus was scouted and recruited by Viper head scout Larry Black, who impressed Marcus and his parents, Milos and Karen, with a common-sense approach. The Basara family was also won over by the support shown by the Vipers for the players’ education.

Along with five team mates, Marcus is enrolled in the High Performers program at Vernon Secondary School. His ambition, like most of the Vipers, is to earn an athletic scholarship to an NCAA hockey power.

When asked about his goals for this year, he says, “I just want to work hard every time I’m on the ice. I guess my ultimate goal is to get noticed by some colleges, so I can continue to play good hockey and get a good education, too. But in the meantime, it’s important to have fun, to enjoy the game. I love hockey, and it’s really fun when your hard work gives your team and yourself some success.”

Viper fans will have already noticed Marcus Basara’s high skill level. He describes his style of play as “kind of an offensive player. I like to use my speed to create scoring chances.”

He acknowledges, though, that he needs to work on his defensive play, especially at this level. “I’ve been lucky to be on a line with Dave (Robinson) and Wally (Dylan Walchuk). I learn a lot just by watching them, and they always seem to be in the right place.”

“Coach Ferner and Coach Williamson have been telling me to work hard, really hard in the defensive zone.” He adds, “You look at the teams that win Cups, they don’t give up many goals.”

Malcolm Lyles – Miami to Boston to Vernon

By Don Klepp
At age five, Malcolm Lyles was stranded for “a couple of hours,” waiting for a ride to take him to his karate lesson. Disconcerted, he switched to ice hockey where he could join his brother Milton.


Milton now plays lacrosse for the North Carolina Tar Heels, but Malcolm stuck with hockey and eventually ended up with the 2009 NCAA champion Boston College Eagles. The 5’ 10”, 180 lb. defenceman had trouble cracking the deep Eagles lineup – he suited up for just 13 games in his two years with Boston College.

As a result, he has decided to take the same route as Kyle Murphy and last year’s 20-year-old find, Dan Nycholat. Like those two, Malcolm will take a full load of university classes this year to earn an associate of arts degree. By doing so, he will be able to transfer to another NCAA hockey program next year.

Combining a full university load with junior hockey can be quite daunting, but Malcolm has faced long odds before. He’s one of a handful of Floridians to play Division I college hockey.

He was fortunate to have a rink 15 minutes from his family home in a north Miami suburb. However, he supplemented his Florida minor hockey with summers playing the game in the Boston area.

After Bantam, he enrolled in prep schools an hour or so west of Boston, first at Eaglebrook School and then at the Deerfield Academy. A speedster like his brother, he also was a football running back and a sprinter on the track team.

Kevin Kraus, who faced Malcolm Lyles in the midget ranks, calls him “just about the fastest skater I’ve ever played against.”

When questioned about his strong points as a player earlier this week, Malcolm also referred to his speed. “That’s my best feature, I guess. I pass pretty well, too, and I think I have a decent shot.”

He’s come to Vernon to work on his game: “I want to become a more consistent player, a smarter player, and a reliable defenceman.” The lack of consistency, shift to shift, was an issue for him at Boston College.

At the Viper training camp, he has instinctively joined in rushes, feeling that his speed will allow him to cover up for lost pucks, but he has sometimes been trapped in the offensive zone while the opposing players wheel the other way.

He’s delighted to be in Vernon. “I want to play more than I did at college, and I can see why this team is top ranked in Canada.” Also, he likes the pace of life here. “The people are so nice here; there’s a fair amount of road rage in big cities like Boston, so I appreciate the calm attitudes I see here. Food’s great, too.”

He was surprised by the calibre of play he’s seen so far. “I heard there were lots of new players this year, but when I first stepped on the ice with them, I was surprised at how together the guys seemed. High tempo, very high tempo, and the passes are crisp and tape to tape. It looked to me like these guys have been together for ever.”

Under the tutelage of Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson, who know how to develop defencemen, Malcolm Lyles could well become a top D-man in this league. Flashes of that development were evident in the opening games of the season as Malcolm dished out some heavy checks.

Vipers Host Vees Tonight

The Vernon Vipers will now host the Penticton Vees after beating them in Penticton last night 3-2. Tonight is a very special night as the Vipers retire their first every jersey for #20 Rob Short. The first 1000 fans will get a limited edition Rob Short hockey card, make sure you get to the game early to get one! Also Kiss FM will sponsor the night with Human Hamster Ball racing for the first intermission with Bounce Hire. On Side is the presenting company and Ora Restaurant will also have a special table set up for fans to visit.

Make sure you come and support your 6 Time National Champs as they take on the dreaded Vees, doors open at 6pm and tickets are on sale NOW at the outside box office!

Corkey – Calm and Clever

By Don Kleep

There’s no panic in Brett Corkey’s game. The smooth-skating Calgarian plays defence like a seasoned quarterback, gathering up pucks and calmly moving them forward.


Proper positioning and puck movement are big parts of his game, he says. He admits that, at 175 pounds, “I’m a little undersized for a defencemen. That’s why I have to see openings and be the first one to get the puck. If I don’t get there quickly enough, I’ll get smashed by some of the big guys in this league.”

He adds that “it’s not always about making that big hit, though. Guys my size can be just as effective by separating the other player from the puck, and that’s what I try to do… the coaches here have shown me how to get guys off the boards when you’re smaller, how to use your stick to pry them off the boards. Mostly, the coaches have shown me how hard you have to work to be successful at this level.”

Last year with the Calgary NM Flames AAA Midget team, Brett had 6 goals and 9 assists in 29 games. He expects to focus mainly on his defensive skills this year for the Vipers, but his accurate passing and his ability to get point shots through to the net should net him points in the BCHL.

He’s working on his shot. “It’s usually accurate enough,” he says, “but I need more power.”

Other junior teams were interested in Brett, but he chose the Vipers because “I was really impressed by the way they handle themselves. Very professional, very classy. Larry Black saw my first Flames game last fall, and came to the Mac tournament, and I guess the Viper scouts followed me all year. When they brought me out to Vernon at the beginning of January, I just fell in love with the place.”

“Yeah, I’m a little homesick, I guess. I talk to my family in Calgary daily. But my billets are really good people. I can’t thank them enough for what they do to make me feel at home. I appreciate them, that’s for sure.”

So what does he think about the Vipers opening losses to Salmon Arm? He responds, “I think we can just chalk it up to nerves, especially that first game. I mean, nobody on the team was impressed with the way they played. But we’re getting better every day, and we’ll do a lot better this weekend.”

Number 20 Forever

Vipers Honour Local


The Vernon Vipers will retire there first ever jersey on Saturday September 18th. The Vipers will host the Penticton Vees and long time Viper, Rob Short will see his number in the rafters of the Wesbild Centre as the last Viper to wear number 20.

Rob Short played minor hockey in Lumby and always wanted to play for the local Vernon team. In 2006 Short reached his goal and made the team putting on jersey number 20, four years later jersey number 20 will forever be known as Rob Shorts.

We welcome fans and media to the first ever jersey retirement this Saturday to honour local boy Rob Short and his tremendous career and commitment to the Vernon Vipers.

NEW FLEXIBLE EIGHT-GAME TICKET PACKAGE NOW ON SALE FOR 2010 WORLD JUNIOR A CHALLENGE

Calling all Junior A hockey fans!


A new ticket package for the 2010 World Junior A Hockey Challenge, coming to Penticton, B.C. this November, is now on sale at a great price.

For just $78, the 8-Game Flex Pack includes eight tickets that can be used for admittance to any of the 13 tournament games, in almost any combination.

For instance, the 8-Game Flex Pack can be used so that:

• You and seven friends can see Canada West face off against Switzerland on Nov. 8, the tournament’s opening night.

• You and one friend can attend four different games, including the gold medal game on Nov. 14.

• You and three friends can attend both semi-final games on Nov. 3.

• You can attend any eight games of your choosing, including all Team Canada games.

The only restriction is that buyers are allowed a maximum of two gold medal tickets per package. Get your 8-Game Flex Pack today by going to www.valleyfirsttix.com or calling 1-877-763-2849.

Want to attend all 13 games of the 2010 World Junior A Hockey Challenge? Full-tournament ticket packages are still available for just $119 each.

Already have 2010-11 season tickets for a British Columbia Hockey League team? The BCHL Fan Pack also includes admittance to all 13 tournament games, but is available at a special price of $99 until Oct. 1.

In addition to access to the entire 2010 World Junior A Challenge, both the full-tournament ticket package for $119 and the BCHL Fan Pack for $99 include a personalized WJAC pass and a free souvenir program.

The 2010 World Junior A Challenge comes to the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton from Nov. 8-14. This year’s tournament marks the second time in four years that the World Junior A Challenge has come to a BCHL Interior Conference city, with more than 3,000 fans filling the historic Cominco Arena in Trail, B.C. to watch Canada West win a gold medal in 2007.

Single-game tickets will go on sale at a later date. To be part of the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, call 1-877-763-2849, check out http://www.valleyfirsttix.com/ or visit the box office at the South Okanagan Events Centre or the Wine Country Visitors Centre.

For more information on the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, visit http://www.hockeycanada.ca/.

NOTE: 8-Game Flex Packs must be redeemed at time of purchase.

Vipers Put Weekend Behind Them

The Vernon Vipers didn't start the season the way they wanted but that comes with the territory when you have a brand new young team. Nerves will be settled and the team will start to get to know each other and the Vipers should be back on track.

“We have to be patient with them, but at the same time the expectation doesn’t change. We have a lot of work to do." Coach Mark Ferner said earlier to the Vernon Morning Star. “We like our group – it’s young, we’re going to have some growing pains, but we have a good group of kids here.” And after the home opener lost Ferner was quoted saying "“It was a big night for our hockey team, for our fans. I’m pretty sure there were guys in there who couldn’t feel their legs. It’s a pretty unbelievable opportunity to be able to go through something like that,” he said, of the banner raising ceremony before the opening face off.

“I will take ownership for this loss because obviously I didn’t have them prepared.”

Dylan Walchuk, an 18-year-old McBride product, didn’t think the hype around the banner raising was an acceptable excuse for the Vipers’ poor showing. “It maybe brings a little nervousness, but it doesn’t really factor in because it’s a whole new season,” he said. “We just didn’t show up as a team and we didn’t have a very good effort. But we’ve got to go through those growing pains. It was wake-up call for us.
“We’re going to have to gel here as a group pretty quickly and just come out every night with a better effort.”

The Vipers will be practicing at the Civic this week due to being locked out of the Wesbild Centre and they will be getting ready for their home and home against the Penticton Vees. "We are going to put last weekend behind us," said Coach Jason Williamson "and we are going to focus on the games this weekend against the Vees."
 
Saturday night's game is sponsored by KISS FM and presented by On Side Restoration. Be sure to get your tickets to the game and show the Vipers your support, with 6 Championship Banners in the rafters the Vernon teams have done the fans proud...now it's time for the fans of Vernon to do the team proud!
 

Habs’ Price is right for Vipers

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star

To hockey fans across the country, Carey Price is widely known as the starting netminder for the Montreal Canadiens. To Vernon Vipers’ equipment manager Gord (Hoon) Cochran, he’s just a good friend who happens to earn a seven-figure salary.

The two grew up playing minor hockey together in Williams Lake, and despite Price’s skyrocket to stardom, they remained close friends.
“He’s just one of my buddies. A couple of my other friends have trades, he plays hockey. He’s just one of the guys,” said Hoon, who traveled to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference final against Philadelphia.
When he heard Price would be heading up to Williams Lake from the U.S. this week, he invited him to stop by for a practice with the Vipers. No big deal.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound tender happily obliged, taking part in the drills and chatting with the players and coaches.
“I’ve known Hoon forever. Too long,” grinned Price, shortly before the session started Wednesday morning at Wesbild Centre.
“He was a solid defenceman, a stay-at-home guy (in Williams Lake).”
Even in minor hockey, Hoon said there was something special about Price.
“He was a year younger than me and he was always playing up (a division). I remember our Bantam coach saying ‘You guys are lucky because he’s going to go somewhere.’ We were like ‘Ya, whatever coach.’
“Then in the Bantam draft that year he went seventh overall (Tri-City Americans) and we were saying ‘Maybe coach is onto something here,’ and sure enough he ends up going fifth overall to Montreal.”
Asked if he ever scored on Price, Hoon laughed: “Probably when I was standing in front of the net and it went off my shin pad.”
Wednesday wasn’t Price’s first encounter with the Vipers. Playing a handful of B.C. Hockey League games with the Quesnel Millionaires, he suited up against Vernon once in 2002-03.
“It brings back memories,” said Price, of skating at Wesbild. “I actually played in this building at one point. I played in relief here one game. I remember it was a nice rink to play in.
“The B.C. junior league is a pretty good league. You’ve got a lot of good players coming from here.”
Price has another connection with the Vipers, as he once attended a goalie camp in Williams Lake headed by Sean Matile, now the Snakes’ goaltending coach.
In 2007, Price’s career surged after he went 6-0 with a .961 save percentage to lead Canada to gold at the 2007 World Junior Championships in Sweden.
In addition to collecting CHL Goaltender of the Year honours that season with the Americans, Price went on to backstop the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal’s AHL affiliate) to the Calder Cup. Only 19 at the time, he was the youngest player in history to collect the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy (Calder Cup MVP).
Price’s name has surfaced fairly regularly, and almost always controversially, in the national press this summer. Following their Cinderella waltz to the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Habs dealt playoff hero netminder Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues, opting to stick with Price, who only recently turned 23, as their franchise starter.
After weeks of public speculation, he signed a two-year $5.5 million US contract with the Canadiens earlier this month.
“I’m happy to be signed and have that over with and head into camp,” said Price.
As a star netminder in a hockey-mad market, he handles the intense media scrutiny that goes along with his role with relative ease.
Asked if he feels any extra pressure, Price shrugs: “It’s just hockey, no matter where you’re at, for me. It doesn’t really matter where you’re playing, it’s still a game no matter what city you’re in.”
Hoon isn’t surprised to see how his long-time friend copes with the pressure.
“It’s just his personality – he’s the most relaxed guy ever. He’s just one of those guys that doesn’t gets flustered or too emotional about anything. It’s the way he has always been.”

Price leaves for Montreal Saturday. The Canadiens training camp begins Sept. 17.

Kyle Murphy – Notre Dame’s Gift to the Vipers

-By Don Kleep

He’s polite and soft spoken. At 5’9” and 170 pounds, he doesn’t look like an imposing hockey player. But don’t be deceived – Kyle Murphy is determined, tough, and tenacious, just what the Vipers need as they try to replace the Jones twins and other spirited players from last year’s championship team.


The 20-year old from Fairhaven, New Jersey comes to the Vipers after spending two years at the famed University of Notre Dame. He was recruited by the Fighting Irish out of the Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school. He recollects that “the Irish said they were short of forwards, so they wanted me to come directly from high school.”

He didn’t get any playing time his first year, and just 17 games his second year at Notre Dame.

Kyle now admits that, “looking back at it, it probably would have been a good decision to play a year of juniors before going to college. Still, I had two good years at a really good university. I had a lot of fun there, and did fine in my business studies. School is tough – it takes up a lot of your time – but Notre Dame is a special place, a great campus. It’s not really a big school, so you get to meet a lot of people and you’re not overwhelmed.”

Wanting to develop more as a hockey player, he decided to change venues before his junior eligibility expired. A training partner in Boston who recommended the Vipers told Kyle that Vernon has “the best coaches and the best organization in junior ‘A’ hockey.”

Kyle has played the wing but he prefers centre – “I seem to see the ice a little better at centre,” he says. He prides himself on his defence and on winning faceoffs. He further describes himself as “a hard-nosed player. I like to get in there and muck it up, especially around the net. The last few years, I’ve done a lot of off-season work to be strong enough to take the pounding in front of the goal.”

We’ve certainly seen that trait in Kyle’s play in the scrimmages and Blue-White games. On one shift during a spirited informal scrimmage at the Priest Valley rink, he scored three times on scrambles around the net. And he scored the winning goal in the Vipers’ 4-3 exhibition win over the Trail Smoke Eaters on August 28.

He plans to return to NCAA hockey next year, but in order to be eligible he has to meet the rigorous 4-2-4 conditions imposed by the National Collegiate Athletics Association. He will complete a minimum of eight university classes offered by a two-year college over the next several months and he will combine those classes with the 20 courses completed at Notre Dame to earn an Associate degree in Business Management from Central Texas College, one of the largest providers of online degrees.

“It’s going to be a bit of a grind,” he admits, “but I hear that you had a player who managed it last year. I’m used to working hard at my studies, so I’m looking forward to learning more about business and related subject

Vipers Name Captains

The Vernon Vipers have announce their captains for the upcoming season!
David Robinson was named captain earlier this summer. Along side him will be Assistant Captains Adam Thompson, Bryce Kakoske and Steve Weinstein. The Vipers will look to this strong leadership group to help lead in the defense of their National Championship.
 
Make sure you get to the Vipers Home Opener Friday night and witness all 2010-2011 Vernon Vipers introductions and the raising of the 2010 RBC Championship Banner!
 

CJHL unveils Preseason Top 20

The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting, announced today its Preseason Top 20 rankings for the 2010/11 season. Last year’s final rankings and the leagues in which the teams belong to are in parenthesis.
The CJHL Preseason Top 20 as of Thursday, September 9th:
1. (2) Vernon Vipers (BCHL)
2. (5) Dauphin Kings (MJHL)
3. (3) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
4. (10) Oakville Blades (OJHL)
5. (8) Brockville Braves (CJHL)
6. (HM) Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)
7. (4) Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL)
8. (HM) Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
9. (16) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
10. (1) Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
11. (11) Woodstock Slammers (MJAHL)
12. (8) Grand Prairie Storm (AJHL)
13. (9) Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL)
14. (NR) La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL)
15. (7) Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)
16. (13) Fort William North Stars (SIJHL)
17. (NR) Wellington Dukes (OJHL)
18. (NR) Winnipeg Saints (MJHL)
19. (19) Abitibi Eskimos (NOJHL)
20. (20) Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAA)

Honourable mention goes to the Powell River Kings (BCHL), Battlefords North Stars (SJHL), Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL), Huntsville Otters (OJHL), Truro Bearcats (MJAHL).

The pre-season rankings are based upon a variety of factors which includes the league in which the teams belong to, last season’s results in regular season and playoffs as well as initial recruiting efforts for the upcoming season.

The CJHL is an amalgamation of ten Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada. More information on the CJHL can be found by clicking on the league website at www.cjhlhockey.com.

Vipers Set To Play!!

The home opener is just about here and the fans and players couldn't be more excited! On Tuesday night the Vipers held their Ice Breaker where fans got to meet all the new player...and the rookies even sang O'Canada for everyone! The next thing to do now is to sell the arena out and cheer on the Vipers as they hit the ice for the first game of the year on Friday night. "We still have a lot of tickets to sell" Marketing Manager Heidi Schrader says, "I hope we can have a sold out arena for our home opener but a lot more people have to commit to coming to the game and buy a few tickets to do so. It will be a special game as we raise the banner. We will be giving out rally towels and we will have a some lucky row give a ways from East Side Mario's. It's going to be a great night and I hope the people of Vernon can come out and support the team."


Tickets are on sale now at the Vipers Office or fans can book by phone at 250-542-6022, the office is open from 9am-4pm on non-game days, Mon-Fri. and on game days the outside box office opens at 9am.

Welcome Back Viper Fans!

Another season is upon us and Snipers Blog is back and running! Come visit often for great stories, like Don Klepp's Changing of the Gaurd Series, and chances to win great prizes and find out whats happening in Vipers Land!!
If you haven't done so already...make sure you sign up for Vipers E-Newsletters for the inside track on the team plus extra prizes!
Home opener is set for the 10th of September and it will be sponsored by East Side Marios and The Good Feet Store! In fact if you want to participate in the first intermission challenge for a chance to win some gift cards from East Side Marios and some Canucks tickets...email viperscontests@vipers.bc. and you can be picked to come on the ice...hint; you will want to like pizza to compete!!! Come back soon and we will see you for sure on the 10th!!!

GO VIPERS!!!!!!

Changing of the Guard

After winning the national Jr. “A” title the past two years, the Vernon Vipers have just seven returnees, so expect a different team this year.

In addition to the six graduating 20-year olds – Rob Short, Kevin Kraus, Dan Nycholat, Graeme Gordon, Jonathan Milhouse, and Braden Pimm – five 19-year olds departed a year early for college. The Jones twins, Mike Collins, Cory Kane, and Cole Ikkala have moved on. In addition, Garrett Noonan and Curtis Gedig, each of whom have two more years of junior eligibility, have accepted NCAA scholarships.
Nine of the Vipers’ top ten scorers have departed, along with four veteran defencemen.
In other words, there will be a significant changing of the guard in the Snakes’ den this fall. Goalie Blake Voth is joined by 20-year old defencemen Steve Weinstein and Adam Thompson, each of whom will be expected to play more prominent roles in their third and final year of Viper hockey.
Up front, veteran sniper David Robinson will captain the team. He’ll be joined by returnees Bryce Kakoske, Dylan Walchuk, and Patrick McGillis, all of whom have looked sharp in the early going.
Trevor Fitzgerald and Aaron Hadley were with the team at the end of last season; their size and their Jr. “B” experience will provide the Vipers with muscle up front. Rookies Mike Zalewski (Syracuse, New York) and Todd Skirving (Thunder Bay) also have good size and skill.
One of the first things fans will notice about this year’s team is that all the new players can really skate. That speed is particularly noticeable in the bumper crop of recruited young forwards. Marcus Basara, John Knisley, Darren Nowick, Kyle Murphy, and Gus Correale all can scoot.
On the back end, the Vipers have committed to Calgary’s Brett Corkey and Florida’s Malcolm Lyles. They’re both on the small side but they have excellent speed and puck skills.
A quintet of good-sized defencemen are also in the mix: Bennett Hambrook (6’, 185) and Philip Patenaude (6’2”, 190) played Jr. “B” in Nelson last year, while 6’2”, 205 lb. Taylor Love played for the Dallas Stars AAA midget squad. Last week, the Vipers acquired Elliott Richardson (6’, 190) from the Lindsay Muskies, a Jr. “A” team northeast of Toronto. The biggest player in the group is Alaska’s Austin Sture, who stands 6’ 6” and weighs 230 pounds.
In goal, Blake Voth will be backed up by Tyler Steel, Bryton Udy, or Zach Station. They’re all young and they all can play.
Several of the new players will be introduced in a series of articles called “Changing of the Guard.” The first in this series will feature Kyle Murphy, a transfer from the University of Notre Dame. Yes, that Notre Dame!