The Vernon Vipers had an off year by their lofty standards, finishing sixth in the BC Hockey League’s Interior Conference. The Vipers faced West Kelowna in the first round of the Fred Page Cup playoffs and were eliminated in five games.
Vernon has six players committed to NCAA Division I schools, one player heading to U SPORTS in Matthew Culling, and two players in Jack Glen and Cade McNelly who have aged out of junior hockey.
The Vipers general manager and head coach Jason McKee looks to have eight forwards, four defenders, and two goalies eligible to return next season. McKee has two 20-year-olds eligible to return for the 2022-23 season to help lead the core of young players.
These numbers will likely change as players move to other leagues like the Western Hockey League, US Hockey League, or North American Hockey League. They may drop down to junior B, be sent away in trades, retire, or wind up committing to college before September and don’t return to their BCHL clubs.
The depth chart is based on the league going with a 24-player roster next season and coaches going with 14 forwards, eight defenders, and two goaltenders.
Graduating Players
JoJo Tanaka-Campbell (Yale University)
Cameron MacDonald (Dartmouth University)
Ryan Shostak (Brown University)
Zack Tonelli (Brown University)
Talon Zakall (Dartmouth University)
Nicholas Kent (Mercyhurst University)
Matthew Culling (University of Regina)
Jack Glen (aged out)
Cade McNelly (aged out)
Eligible Returnees (* indicates an open spot – assuming the team goes with 14 forwards and eight defenders)
Forwards
Luke Buss (03)
Seiya Tanaka-Campbell (03)
Reagan Milburn (03)
Copeland Fricker (03)
Luke Pakulak (03)
Max Borovinskiy (04)
Luke Lavery (04)
Tyler Chan (05)
*
*
*
*
*
*
Defenders
Ayden Third (02)
Griffen Barr (02)
Anthony Cliche (03)
Luke Ashton (05)
*
*
*
*
Goaltenders
Ethan David (03)
Roan Clarke (03)
