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A timeline of hockey, pre-Junior A, in Vernon & area can be found HERE

JUNIOR "A" HOCKEY MAKES ITS DEBUT

On December 15th, 1960 the Vernon News reported... "Vernon Minor Hockey Association President Bill Brown has been named coordinator of an Okanagan-Mainline All Star squad to contest the Provincial junior 'A' playdowns with an eye to the Dominion Memorial Cup next spring. At the meeting in Kelowna, Monday, representatives from the four major Okanagan-Mainline cities decided to form a junior league which will kick off in Penticton Friday night with Vernon the visitor..."

Okanagan Junior "A" All Stars Central Rockets Hockey Team

Back row left to right: Kenny Stewart (coach Kamloops), D. Kowal (Vernon), B. Sammartino (Vernon), Bill Brown (manager Vernon).
Centre row left to right: E. Arrance (Kelowna), W. Henry (Vernon), H. Wynnychuk (Vernon), D. Schollen (Kamloops), L. Stiles (Penticton), L. O'Connell (Penticton).
Front row left to right: B. Hunt (Kamloops), B. Donaldson (Kamloops), V. Minamede (Kamloops), G. Beck (Vernon), D. McCall (Vernon), R. Boychuk (Kelowna), B. Allercott (Penticton).

While the All Star team wasn't successful in securing the Dominion Cup , the action did lay the foundations for the formation of a junior 'A' league.

On September 18, 1961 the Kamloops Daily Sentinel reported..."The junior loop, organized last year by several prominent Valley sportsmen and headed by Vernon's Bill Brown will kick off the 1961-62 season Oct 31."

The Vernon Junior Canadians along with the Penticton Junior Vees, Kelowna Buckaroos and Kamloops Junior Rockets, four junior "B" teams, formed the Okanagan-Mainline Junior 'A' Hockey League in 1960*.(*1983-84 Program)

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Owner - Bill Brown

Bill Brown becomes first owner of the Vernon Junior 'A' Franchise, Junior Canadians, for the inaugural 1961-62 Season.

On November 2nd, 1961 the Vernon News reported.... "Vernon Junior Canadians were edged 5-4 by the Kelowna Buckaroos Tuesday night (October 31st) in a fast, hard-checking thriller that was decided in a 10-minute overtime period...
Over 300 fans at Civic Arena were treated to hockey played with heart and played to win in the opening game of the newly formed Okanagan Junior "A" Hockey League..."

Vern Dye would manage the team while the coach for the first year would be local hockey legend, Norman "Odie" Lowe.

Coach Odie Lowe

• 1961-62; Regular Season 29GP-7W-21L-1T & Playoffs 5GP-2W-3L

Statistics wise, it was not a very successful season for the Vernon Jr. Canadians ... success, was the fact, that they played their first season as a junior 'A' team.

Side Note: It should be noted that the Vernon team was primarily made up of local area players throughout the 60's. This is why the team lacked players for many games, due to work and other commitments. It was also the reason that made the rivalries between the teams, of the league, more intense as, the other clubs also had their own local players on their teams.

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The franchise changed its name to the Vernon Blades for the start of the 1962-63 season. They would remain the Vernon Blades through till the end of the 1966-67 season.

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Owner - Bill Brown

Bill Brown would continue his ownership of the franchise and Vern Dye would manage the team while, various coaches would guide the club through to 1966.

Coach Bill Brown

• 1962-63; Regular Season 31GP-9W-22L-0T & Playoffs 5GP-1W-4L

Coach Jim Moro

• 1963-64; Regular Season 34GP-7W-27L-0T & Playoffs 7GP-2W-5L, Formerly played for the Senior Canadians(1957-59)

Coach Hap Schaefer

• 964-65; Regular Season 30GP-10W-16L-4T & Playoffs 7GP-3W-4L

Coach Odie Lowe

• 1965-66; Regular Season 30GP-4W-25L-1T & Playoffs 4GP-0W-4L

Side Note: Up untill this point, in franchise history, the club never had a winning season. As there were between three and four teams, in the league, every team made the playoffs during these years.

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Owners - Vernon Minor Hockey Association

In 1966 Dave McKay, Vern Dye, Ernie Kowal and a group(Who?) of fifteen other local business men purchase the Vernon Blades from Bill Brown at a cost of $300.00 each. This group of men would hand over ownership of the club to the Vernon Minor Hockey Association but, they would still manage it.

The Executive of the club would be the same group of men that bought the team. Vern Dye would continue to manage the team, however, Hal Gordon was appointed General Manager while the coach would still be Odie Lowe.

Coach Odie Lowe

• 1966-67; Regular Season 40GP-15W-25L-0T & Playoffs 5GP-1W-4L

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For the 1967-68 season the Vernon franchise, changed its name to the Vernon Essos. They would remain the Vernon Essos through till the end of the 1972-73 season.

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Owners - Vernon Minor Hockey Association

Vernon Minor Hockey would change the name of the club from Blades to Esso's for the start of the '67 - '68 season.

The Esso's were named after the title sponsor, Ernies Esso Station, located at 3200 32nd Street in Vernon. The team was commonly called "Ernies Esso's" in conversations around town.

The same group of men that were the Executive of the Blades continued their role for the new Essos. Bill Roth was President and Vern Dye remained as Manager and the Coach was Odie Lowe.

Coach Odie Lowe

During this time, with Odie as Coach, the club had its first of three winning seasons in-a-row from 1967 to 1970.

• 1967-68; Regular Season 40GP-19W-17L-4T & Playoffs 4GP-0W-4L
• 1968-69; Regular Season 40GP-19W-15L-6T & Playoffs 4GP-0W-4L
• 1969-70; Regular Season 48GP-32W-12L-4T & Playoffs 15GP-8W-7L

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Ownership Group - Ernie Kowal, Vern Dye, Dave McKay & Others?

In 1970 Vernon Minor Hockey sold the club for five thousand dollars to the same group of local business men that had been managing the club for them.

That group of business men included Ernie Kowal, Vern Dye, Dave McKay and may have incluced Les York, Roly Sammartino, G. Wenman, D. Heichert, N. Schuck*, R. Fish*, A. Melbourne*, J. Gradner* and B. Willows*.More research has to be done.

Side Note: The other members of the group may have been all directors with Vernon minor hockey, including Len Miller, Chum Kaneda, Al Madden, Jack Boutillier, Frank Flasch, Les York, Ed O'Brien and Doug Bulwer. More research has to be done.

Dave McKay would lead this group in running the day to day operations. Vern Dye would become the Manager and Odie Lowe would be the Coach.

Other notable figures of Vernon running the teams were Rolly Sammartino(Trainer) N. Schuck*, R. Fish*, A. Melbourne*, J. Gradner* and B. Willows*. Vernon Minor Hockey Association Members??*-If you can provide full names and their roles please, contact me.More research has to be done.

Odie lead the Vernon Essos to playoff success in 1970 when they won the franchises first league pennant and league championship. They would repeat that same feat again in 1972 for their second league championship.

Odie Lowe would coach the team, under this new group of business men, till the end of the 1972-73 season.

Coach Odie Lowe

• 1970-71; Regular Season 60GP-34W-20L-6T & Playoffs 5GP-1W-4L
• 1971-72; Regular Season 60GP-42W-17L-1T & Playoffs 18GP-10W-8L
• 1972-73; Regular Season 61GP-27W-33L-1T & Playoffs 5GP-1W-4L

At the end of the 1972-73 season, after nine season of coaching the franchise, Odie Lowe ended his association with the team.

• Over-all Record - Regular Season 408GP-199W-185L-24T & Playoffs 65GP-23W-42L

The ownership group eventually sells the team to make Vern Dye sole owner*.(*-assumption still need Playoffsf)

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For the 1973-74 season the Vernon franchise, changed its name to the Vernon Vikings. They would remain the Vernon Vikings through till the end of the 1977-78 season.

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Owner - Vern Dye

Vern Dye ran the team in all departments for the 1973-74 season even as their coach.

Coach Vern Dye

• 1973-74; Regular Season 64GP-37W-26L-1T & Playoffs 4GP-0W-4L

For the next two seasons Vern Dye replaced himself with Manager/Coach, Joe Tennant.

Coach Joe Tennant

• 1974-75; Regular Season 66GP-31W-33L-2T & Playoffs 10GP-4W-6L
• 1975-76; Regular Season 66GP-47W-18L-1T & Playoffs 10GP-4W-5L-1T(8pt Series)

Even though the Vernon Vikings won the league pennant in 1976 they bowed out in the second round of the playoffs that year, losing nine points to one, in an eight point series (4L - 1T).

Side Note: The one tie was a one-of for the league when they experimented with an 8 point series where, a win is 2 pointsts and ties 1 points.

Joe Tennant would not return for the next season.

• Over-all Record; Regular Season 132GP-78W-51L-3T & Playoffs 20GP-8W-11L-1T(8pt Series)

Coach Vern Dye

The season of 1976-77 saw Vern Dye once again command of the team, taking on the role of Owner, Manager and Coach. This would be Vern Dyes last stint as a Coach for the franchise.

• 1976-77; Regular Season 68GP-28W-37L-2T & Playoffs 6GP-2W-4L

The season of 1976-77 would be Vern Dyes last stint as a Coach for the franchise.

• Over-all Record; Regular Season 132GP-66W-63L-3T & Playoffs 10GP-2W-8L

The club Owner & GM was Vern Dye, Manager of the club was former Trainer Roly Sammartino, often spelled as Samartino, for the 1977-78 season. A local hockey legend guided the team for part of the season as Coach, his name was Sheldon Bloomer(partial). Another local hockey legend took over for Sheldon, his name was Hank Wensley(partial).

After sixteen consecutive playoff appearances, for the franchise, the Vernon Vikings were the first team to not make them in 1977-78 season.

Coach Sheldon Bloomer

• 1977-78; Regular Season ?GP-?W-?L-?T
• If you have the records for these coaches please, contact me.

Coach Hank Wensley

• 1977-78; Regular Season ?GP-?W-?L-?T
• If you have the records for these coaches please, contact me.

Vern Dye sells the team after the 1977-78 season to a new "5 man group". which included Hank Aarsen Sr., Sheldon Bloomer and Ray Williment Sr.* *-Who were the others??, if you know please, contact me.

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For the 1978-79 season the Vernon franchise was known as the Vernon Canadians. It was the only season that this name was used, although in 1961 they were known as the Jr. Canadians.

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Owners - Hank Aarsen Sr., Sheldon Bloomer and Ray Williment Sr. & 2 Others?

Former Coach Sheldon Bloomer would take the reins of the club as General Manager. Sheldon recruits Greg Kvisle, as his coach, whom stayed with the club for just one year.

Coach Greg Kvisle

• 1978-79; Regular Season 62GP-32W-29L-1T & Playoffs 6GP-2W-4L

Due to extreme financial difficulties the team would take a "leave-of-absence" the following year, 1979-80.(source Greg Kvisle via phone call I had with Greg)

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After the league granted the franchise a one years leave of absence, the franchise adopted a new name, the Vernon Lakers, for the 1980-81 season. They kept that name till the end of 1994-95 season.

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Owners - Hank Aarsen Sr., Sheldon Bloomer, Ray Williment Sr., (Vern Dye?)

The previous Vernon Canadians ownership group continued with the new 'Vernon Lakers Junior 'A' Team for the 1980-81 season.

Hank Aarsen Sr. would be the General Manager and coaching the 1980-81 team was Russ Newton who was replaced sometime during the season by Gary Criss. The two coaches had a combined record of; Regular Season 56GP-8W-48L-0T. The team failed to make the playoffs for a second time, the first being 1978.

Coach Russ Newton

• 1980-81; Regular Season ?GP-?W-?L-?T
• If you have the records for these coaches please, contact me.

Coach Gary Criss

• 1980-81; Regular Season ?GP-?W-?L-?T
• If you have the records for these coaches please, contact me.

The 1981-82 Coach was Gord MacBeth and for the second year in-a-row, the third for the franchise, the team did not make the playoffs. Up until this point in time, this was the only instance of the franchise failing to make the playoffs in two consecutive years.

Coach Gord MacBeth

• 1981-82; Regular Season 47GP-10W-36L-1T

Owner - Ray Williment Sr. (need to confim?)

The next year 1982-83 Ray Williment Sr. was President and Owner. Vern Dye would be appointed General Manager who found a new Coach in Murray Lawrence. The team made the playoffs but, bowed out in a, hard fought, quarterfinals.

Coach Murray Lawrence

• 1982-83; Regular Season 56GP-35W-20L-1T & Playoffs 7GP-3W-4L

The team was eventually sold following the playoffs to Carl & Ivy Ememark and Bud Russel.

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Owners -Carl & Ivy Enemark & Bud Russell

Carl Enemark of "Enemark & Campbell Realty" along with his wife Ivy along with Bud Russell purchase the Lakers from Ray Williment Sr. and Group after the 1981-82 season.

Bud Russell(he is named co-owner in the 1983-84 program but, not in the 1984-85 program) was co-owner, secretary and treasurer. The General Manager was former Trainer, of the Vernon Vikings, Wayne Sorci, Vern Dye replaced Sorci at some point.

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Coach Chuck Tapp

The first Coach for the new owners was Chuck Tapp who quit after three games and went on to the Kelowna Wings of the Western Hockey League.

• 1983-84; Regular Season 3GP-2W-1L-0T,

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Coach Mike Enemark

Replacing Chuck Tapp would be the owners son and former player Mike Enemark.

• 1983-84; Regular Season 57GP-43W-14L-0T & Playoffs 6GP-2W-4L.
• 1984-85; Regular Season 22GP-10W-10L-1T
• Over-all Record Regular Season 78GP-53W-24L-1T & Playoffs 6GP-2W-4L

Mike stepped away from coaching after twenty-one games in 1984, citing too much pressure. However remained with the club as an advisor to the coach, Don Moores.

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Coach Don Moores

Don Moores took over the club and propelled the team to the playoffs which, they lost in the quarterfinals.

• 1984-85; Regular Season 30GP-18W-11L-1T & Playoffs 7GP-3W-4L

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The Enemamarks would sell the Vernon Lakers to Mel Lis after the 1985-86 season.

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Owner - Mel Lis

Mel Lis, of "Lis Equipment Rental Ltd.", purchased the Lakers from the Enemarks and Bud Russell? after the 1985-86 season.

Mel Lis would take on the role of Owner, President and General Manager for the next seven years.

It was this edition of the franchise, with Mel Lis at the helm, that started what was to become a dominate team, of junior 'A' hockey, in the league, regional and national levels.

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Coach Don Moores

Don Moores continued, as coach for Mel Lis, till the end of the 1985-86 Season.

• 1985-86; Regular Season 52GP-28W-21L-3T & Playoffs 7GP-3W-4L

Don Moores at the end 1985-86 Season joined the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.

• Over-all Record Regular Season 82GP-46W-32L-1T & Playoffs 14GP-6W-8L

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Coach Ernie Gare

Replacing Don Moores would be Ernie Gare, a former player.

• 1986-87; Regular Season 52GP-33W-17L-2T & Playoffs 10GP-6W-4L

In his second year Ernie Gare won a League and Provincial championship.

• 1987-88; Regular Season 52GP-42W-10L-0T & Playoffs 19GP-14W-5L

For his third year Ernie Gare, lead the team to a League, Provincial, BC v AB and Western Canadian Championship for a berth in the 1989 National Tournament.

• 1988-89; Regular Season 60GP-40W-19L-1T & Playoffs 31GP-22W-9L

In his fouth year as coach Ernie Gare would be replaced by, former NHLer, Eddie Johnstone shortly before the Vernon Lakers were to host the 1990 National Tournament.

The replacement came at a time when the Lakers were on a month long break. They had lost the League finals to the New Westminster Royals, in six games, and were awaiting hosting the Centennial Cup. What lead up to this firing is, as of yet, still unknown.

• 1989-90; Regular Season 58GP-33W-20L-5T
• Over-all Record 1986-90; Regular Season 222GP-148W-66L-3T & Playoffs 60GP-42W-18L

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Coach Eddie Johnstone

After the firing of Ernie Gare, Eddie Johnstone, would go on to finish the playoffs of the 1989-90 season. As hosts, of the National Tournament, the Vernon Lakers would capture their first national title with a come-from-behind overtime goal by Cam Sylven, defeating the New Westminster Royals 6-5.

• 1989-90; Playoffs 19GP-12W-7L

Another National Championship was aquired by Eddie Johnston and his Vernon Lakers in 1991. This time however, the team earned their right to be at the National final. The team had previously defeated Kelowna and Chilliwack to win a berth to the league finals. In that final they defeated Powell River winning the leagues Nat Bailey Cup.

The Regional finals were won by the Lakers defeating Prince George for the Mowat Cup and Calgary for the Doyle Cup.

In the national tournament round-robin the Lakers went with 2 wins and 2 losses. In the semifinal they defeated Yorktown and in the final they defeated Sudbury.

• 1990-91; Regular Season 60GP-37W-23L & Playoffs 28GP-23W-5L

Almost repeating what he accomplished the previous season Eddie Johnston came up just short, of his third National Title, losing in a semifinal versus Winkler.

• 1991-92; Regular Season 60GP-34W-26L & Playoffs 31GP-22W-9L

Eddie Johnstone ended his career as Coach of the Lakers after the 1991-92 season.

• Over-all Regular Season 120GP-71W-49L & Playoffs 78GP-57W-21L.

Side Note: The Vernon Lakers accomplishment of four consecutive National Tournament appearances (1989, 1990, 1991, & 1992) remains a Canadian Junior "A" Hockey record to this day.

With two National Championship plus numerous league banners and many, many trophies to call his own Mel Lis would sell the club to Duncan Wray in 1992.

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Owner - Duncan Wray & Al Patersen

Dr. James Duncan Wray, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, bought the team from Mel Lis after the 1991-92 season.

Duncan Wray would hire a sports journalist as General Manager for his first year (1992-93) of ownership named, Al Paterson, whom was also a minority owner.

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Coach Rob Bremner

Al Paterson would hire a coach that would stay with the Lakers for the next four seasons, Rob Bremner. Bremner replaced Al Paterson, who resigned October 14, 1992, as General Manager. (Not sure when Al relinqished his minority ownership??)

During his three year tenur with the Lakers GM/Coach Rob Bremner made the playoffs each season.

• 1992-93; Regular Season 60GP-35W-25L & Playoffs 5GP-1W-4L
• 1993-94; Regular Season 60GP-31W-29L & Playoffs 11GP-4W-7L
• 1994-95; Regular Season 60GP-28W-32L & Playoffs 9GP-5W-4L

By the end of the 1994-95 season the Vernon Lakers brought the franchise from the negative side to the positive side of the wins versus losses column. They achieved this with both the regular season and playoffs statistics.

1995 was the last season for the franchise, as the Vernon Lakers because, Duncan Wray would rebrand the club, as the Vernon Vipers, for the 1995-96 season.

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For the 1995-96 season the Vernon franchise changed its name to the Vernon Vipers and presently retains that name.

This edition of the franchise would establish itself as an elite, of the elite, junior "A" hockey team in league, regional and national levels.

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Owner - Duncan Wray

Duncan Wray's coach would still be Rob Bremner for the 1995-96 season.

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Coach - Rob Bremner

Under the leadership of GM/Coach Rob Bremner, 1996, was one of Vernons' best years. This impressive year culminated with the Vernon Vipers first, and the franchises third, national title.

• 1995-96; Regular Season 60GP-43W-17L & Playoffs 29GP-23W-6L

Rob Bremner would end his association with the club after the 1995-96 season.

• Over-all Regular Season 240GP-137W-103L & Playoffs 55GP-33W-22L

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Coach - Troy Mick

Rob Bremner's Assist Coach, Troy Mick, would take over for him as GM/Coach for the 1996-97 season.

In the first two years of the club being operated by Troy Mick(1996-98), Regular Season 120GP-74W-46L -- Playoffs 21GP-12W-9L, they did have some success in the leagues playoffs.

• 1996-97: Regular Season 60GP-41W-19L & Playoffs 14GP-9W-5L
• 1997-98: Regular Season 60GP-33W-27L & Playoffs 7GP-3W-4L

Three short years after winning the inaugural 1996 Royal Bank Cup, national title, the Vernon Vipers would once again returned to the National stage, in 1999. Troy Mick and his Vernon Vipers accomplished this with an amazing regulaRegular Season ason of 52 wins and 6 loses with 2 Ties. which is currently the franchises best season. The year ended with the Vernon Vipers capturing it's second and the franchises fourth National title.

• 1998-99: Regular Season 60GP-52W-8L & Playoffs 29GP-22W-7L

Of note during the 1999 playoff run was the fact that the Vernon Vipers are the only British Columbia Hockey League team to lose to a team from the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League. they lost one game, 7-6, in a best-of-five Playoffsincial series, to the Kimberly Dynamiters. It should also be noted however, that Vernon played with a Junior "B" backup goaltender in the loss due to injuries of their regular two goaltenders.

Following the 1999 National Championship season, Troy Mick who always said,"We don't rebuild, We reload", once again journeyed to the League Finals.

• 1999-2000, Regular Season 60GP-35W-25L & Playoffs 18GP-9W-9L

This would end Troy Micks' run with the club, as Coach. However, he did return in 2005-06 but, never coached and quit before the season started citing medical issues.

• Over-all: Regular Season 249GP-161W-79L & Playoffs 68GP-43W-25L

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Coach - Joe Oliver

Taking over for Troy Mick was his Assistant Coach, Joe Oliver. The 2000-01 season turned out to be an extreme disapointment for the franchise. The Vernon Vipers had a losing regular season, thus failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982. GM/Coach Joe Oliver, needless to say, did not return for the next season.

• 2000-01; Regular Season 60GP-24W-26L-10T

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Coach - Mike Vandekamp

Duncan Wray would hire, as his next GM/Coach, Mike Vandekamp. Mike ran the club for the next four years. In those four seasons he had consecutive years of some minor playoff success. The highlight of which was a League title in 2002-03.

• 2001-02; Regular Season 60GP-33W-22L-6T & Playoffs 17GP-10W-7L
• 2002-03; Regular Season 60GP-47W-13L & Playoffs 18GP-10W-4L
• 2003-04; Regular Season 60GP-37W-22L-1T & Playoffs 5GP-1W-4L
• 2004-05; Regular Season 60GP-42W-15L-3T & Playoffs 14GP-9W-5L

Having maintained a competitive level for the club, in his four years, Mike Vandekamp would be replaced for the 2005-06 season.

• Over-all; Regular Season 240GP-159W-71L-10T & Playoffs 54GP-34W-20L

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GM/Coach - Troy Mick

Returning, in 2005-06, for one last "kick at the can" was none other than "fan favorite" GM/Coach, Troy Mick. However, Troy would step down, as coach, prior to season start citing health issues. Troy would however, remain as the General Manager thru to May 31, 2007.

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Coach - Berni Pimm

Troys' Associate Coach would be promoted to Coach, Berni Pimm. This season however, would be disapointing as, the club exited the playoffs in the first round.

• 2005-06; Regular Season 60GP-36W-22L-2T & Playoffs 10GP-5W-5L

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Coach - Mark Holick

Mark Holick(GM/Coach) was very quickly hired, for the 2006-07 Vernon Vipers, when Mick resigned(May 31,'07). Mark, along with associate Coach Berni Pimm, helped the club to advance to the League finals which, they lost. Holick did not return for the following season.

• 2006-07; Regular Season 60GP-37W-22L-1T & Playoffs 22GP-14W-8L

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GM/Coach - Mark Ferner

Coming over from the Kamloops Blazers organization, to be the next GM/Coach, was Mark Ferner. Ferner would lead the club for the next four seasons.

• 2007-08; Regular Season 60GP-37W-22L-2T & Playoffs 10GP-6W-4L

After the team was eliminated in the second round of the 2008 league playoffs. He would maneuvered the club to not one but, two national titles.

In 2009 the Vernon Vipers swept through the league playoffs only losing five games. They would then go undefeated the Regular Season of the way to the national tournament. Even in the tournament they went undefeated to the finals, which they also won. This would be the franchises fifth national title and third for the Vernon Vipers.

• 2008-09; Regular Season 60GP-42W-17L-1T & Playoffs 27GP-22W-5L

Once again, in 2010, the Vernon Vipers would win a national title. This accomplishment is only the third time a team has won back-to-back National Championship, he others being the Prince Albert Raiders (1981 & 1982) and the Vernon Lakers (1990 & 1991). This would also, make the Vernon junior A franchise the only one to win back-to-back twice. To add one more accolade, The Vernon Vipers 4th National Title ties them with the Prince Albert Raiders, although it is the 6th for the Franchise which is a Canadian Record.

• 2009-10; Regular Season 60GP-51W-9L-0T & Playoffs 32GP-21W-11L

A special note on the 2010-11 season for the Vipers was that of the 60 regular season games played, 20 went to overtime. Their record for those overtime games is, 20GP - 7W - 9L - 4T. (1\3 of a season went to overtime, gotta be some sort of record!)

Ferner lead the Vipers to it's third consecutive appearance to the National Tournament. Being undefeated, heading into the final, they lost to Pembrook, 2-0.

• 2010-11; Regular Season 60GP-36W-20L-4T & Playoffs 29GP-21W-8L

Mark Ferner would leave the Vipers after the 2010-11 season to pursue other interests however, he would return.

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Coach - Jason Williamson

To replace Mark Ferner, Duncan Wray would hire Ferner's Assistant Coach, former player and Captain(2002) of the Vipers, Jason Williamson.

The Vernon Vipers failed to make the playoffs in back-to-back years, for Williamson's first two years coachin. This is only the second time in franchise history that this occurred.

• 2011-12; Regular Season 60GP-30W-29L-1T
• 2012-13; Regular Season 56GP-21W-34L-1T

As the Vipers were hosting the National Tournament they returned to their winning ways in 2013-14. The Vipers advanced thru the three rounds of league playoffs before falling in the league final. However, in the National Tournament, they advanced as far as the semifinals losing 6-3 to Yorkton.

• 2013-14; Regular Season 58GP-30W-24L-4T & Playoffs 24GP-12W-12L

This would be the end of Jason Williamsons' job with the Vernon Vipers.

• Over-all; Regular Season 174GP-81W-87L-6T & Playoffs 24GP-12W-12L

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Coach - Mark Ferner

The next GM/Head Coach would be a familiar face to Viper fans as Mark Ferner would return to the fold. Frener's second tenure with to club would last five seasons.

• 2014-15; Regular Season 58GP-36W-21L-1T & Playoffs 11GP-7W-4L
• 2015-16; Regular Season 58GP-24W-34L-0T & Playoffs 5GP-1W-4L
• 2016-17; Regular Season 58GP-30W-24L-4T & Playoffs 12GP-7W-5L

If you have anything to add please, feel free to email me at ( admin "at" vernonjrahockey "dot" ca )

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Owner - Libby Wray

Vipers Owner, Dr. Duncan Wray , passed away on January 11, 2018. His wife Libby became owner and governor upon his passing. Libby would sell the club, officially, to new owners on September 7, 2018.

Coach Ferner

Still grieving the loss of not only the Owner, Duncan Wray but, also that of a good friend, Mark Ferner "rallied the troops" to an impressive end to the season.

• Regular Season 15GP-11W-4L & Playoffs 21GP-12W-9L

Side Note: Since buying the team in 1992, Duncan Wray became known as a very hands-on team owner, always interacting with fans, and watching his Vipers play. During Duncans's time as the Vipers owner, the team won twelve (12) Interior Conference pennants, three (3) BCHL regular season titles, seven (7) BCHL Championship, and six (6) Doyle Cups, four (4) National Championship plus one runner up. Duncan Wray was inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011, with his 1998-99 Vernon Vipers following suit in 2016.

If you have anything to add please, feel free to email me at ( admin "at" vernonjrahockey "dot" ca )

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Owners - John & Tom Glen

The Vernon Vipers Hockey Club announced an ownership change September 7, 2018. The Club had been sold by owner Libby Wray and had been purchased by Tom and John Glen.

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Coach - Mark Ferner

After dealing with the after math of Duncan Wrays' death, Mark Ferner continued on as GM/Head Coach for the new owners.

In his last year with the club Mark Ferner would guide them to the league final lossing in four straight games.

• 2018-19; Regular Season 58GP-26W-32L & Playoffs 21GP-12W-9L
• Over-all Record; Regular Season 530GP-320W-194L-16T -- Playoffs 157GP-103W-54L

Mark Ferner would be "let go" by the Glens after the 2018-19 season.

Side Note:With two national titles, a winning percentage of 61.89% for the regular season and 65.61% for the playoffs, Mark Ferner is without a doubt the best coach the Vernon Vipers have EVER had.

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Coach - Jason McKee

The Vernon Vipers new owners Tom & John Glen decided to replace Mark Ferner with, an associate of theirs, Jason Mckee.

GM/Head Coach, Jason McKee had some success in his first year. However, the playoffs were canceled after the first round, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic with the Vipers "on a roll".

• 2019-20; Regular Season 58GP-30W-28L & Playoffs 5GP-4W-3L

The Covid Panemic continued into the 2020-21 season however, the Provincial Health Office eased Regular Season restrictions enough to allow the league to play an extended exhibition/training season from September 25 to November 19. The "Okanagan Cup' tournament was established, for this pre-season, which included Penticton, Salmon Arm and West Kelowna. Penticton defeated the Vipers in the final to take the cup. For the 20 game regular season the Vipers played in a so called "POD" along with Salmon Arm and West Kelowna in which the Vipers claimed top spot.

• 2020-21; Regular Season 13W-5L-1OTL-1SOL

Coach McKee guided the 2021-22 Vipers to 10th place in the BCHL and 6th in the Interior Conference. In the playoffs they lost to West Kelowna, 4-1.

• 2021-22; 54GP-27W-20L-4OTL-3SOL-0T & Playoffs 5GP-1W-4L

McKee guides the 2022-23 Vipers to place 11th in the BCHL and 6th in the Interior Conference. In the playoffs they defeated West Kelowna, 4-2 and lost to Salmon Arm, 4-1. What was notable about this season was the amount of player turnover during the early part of the regular season.

• 2022-23; 54GP-27W-21L-2OTL-4SOL & Playoffs 11GP-5W-6L
• 2023-24; 44GP-26W-16L-2OTL

Jason McKee was let go from the Vipers organization "Officially" on March 16, 2024. He was absent from behind the bench since February 25, 2024. This was after some sort of player interaction/discipline following a 4-2 loss to Prince George on a road trip.

• Over-all Record; Regular Season 230GP-123W-107L& Playoffs 21GP-10W-11L

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Coach - Lucas Lomicky

While still an Assistant Lucas Lomicky assumed the role of "Head Coach" along with, Colton Sparrow as his assisitant following the "Official" firing of Jason McKee on March 16, 2024.

Assistants Lucas Lomicky and Colton Sparrow coached the Vipers for four games, following the 2-4 loss to Prince George.

• 2023-24; 10GP-7W-3L & Playoffs 10GP-5W-5L

On June 10,2024 Lucas Lomicky was announced as Head Coach & Director of Hockey Operations.

If you have anything to add please, feel free to email me at ( admin "at" vernonjrahockey "dot" ca )

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Since the inception of the league the Vernon Franchise has achieved the following...

• 15 - Interior Conference/Division Pennants (1st in Points)
• 1988 1989 1990 1991 1996 1997 1999 2000 2002 2003 2005 2009 2010 2011 2019
• 7 - League Pennants (1st In Points)
• 1970 1972 1976 1988 1999 2003 2010
• 17 - Ryan Hatfield Memorial Trophy - Interior Conference/Division Championship
• 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1997 1999 2000 2002 2003 2005 2007 2009 2010 2011 2014 2019
  
• 12 - Nat Bailey/Subway/Fred Page Cups - League Championship
• 1970 1972 1988 1989 1991 1992 1996 1999 2003 2009 2010 2011
• Runners-up: 1990 1997 2000 2002 2005 2007 2014 2019
• 12 - Mowat Cups * - BC Championship
• 1970 1972 1988 1989 1991 1992 1996 1999 2003 2009 2010 2011
• * BC Hockey Handbook PDF (Pages 141-143)
• 8 - Doyle Cups - BC vs AB Championship
• 1989 1991 1992 1996 1999 2009 2010 2011
• Runners up: 1972 1988 2003
• 4 - Abbott Cups - Western Canadian Championship ([BC vs AB] vs [SK vs MB])
• 1989 1991 1992 1999
• Runners-up: 1970 1996
• 6 - Centennial(2)/Royal Bank Cups(4) - National Championship
• 1990 1991 1996 1999 2009 2010
• Runners up: 2011
  Appearance: 1989
  Semi-Finalist: 1992
  Hosts: 1990 2014

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NOTE: Loses (L) include any Overtime (OTL) & Shootout Loses (SOL)

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