Vernon Vipers 2026-27 Season
"New Era, Same Venom"
NEWS ITEMS
NEWS
New Era. Same Venom.
VERNON, B.C.- July 20, 2026: A new chapter in Vernon Vipers hockey is about to begin.
The Vernon Vipers are proud to unveil a bold new brand identity ahead of the 2026-27 BCHL season, introducing a refreshed logo and an updated colour palette that reflects the organization's vision for the future while honouring one of junior hockey's most recognizable franchises.
The rebrand marks the first complete visual identity refresh for the Vipers in many years and signals an exciting new era for the organization both on and off the ice.
The new look features a striking combination of Midnight Blue and Gold, creating a modern, powerful identity that will represent the Vipers as they continue building toward the future.
"As we enter a new era of Vernon Vipers hockey, we thought it was the perfect time to introduce the new logo and colour scheme," said Vernon Vipers General Manager and Head Coach Matt Cooke. "We feel this new look will represent our brand well as we set our sights on the regular season."
The refreshed identity is more than just a new logo-it's a symbol of the organization's continued evolution and commitment to its players, fans and community.
"As our organization continues to evolve and move forward, this logo perfectly encapsulates who we are," said Executive Vice President Todd Miller. "It will continue to give our fans something to look forward to and be a part of as we begin a new chapter in Vipers history."
While the look may be new, the expectations remain unchanged. The Vipers remain committed to building a championship culture, developing elite student-athletes and delivering an exciting brand of hockey for fans throughout the North Okanagan.
The 2026-27 season marks the beginning of an exciting new journey for the franchise-one that embraces the future while staying true to the tradition that has made the Vernon Vipers one of the BCHL's most respected organizations.
A new era of Vernon Vipers hockey begins now.
New Era. Same Venom.
REGULAR SEASON PLAYER STATS (Sortable Table)
| No. | Player | Pos | YB | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Bieska, Cole* v | F | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 37 | Bjork, Oscar* v | D | 06 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 31 | Carter, Jack* X | G | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 12 | Cerny, Martin* | D | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 26 | Denes, Josh* | F | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 35 | DiBlasi, Samuel* s | G | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 23 | Eklof, Alexander* s | F | 06 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 7 | Ellis, Cole* s | D | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 16 | Fairbairn, Ryan* s | D | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 10 | Handby, Cohen | F | 09 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 44 | Johnson, Will* s m c | F | 08 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 9 | Karmiris, Tommy* at | F | 06 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 8 | Kim, Mason* s r | F | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 30 | Kobelka, Kason | G | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 11 | Lake , Jed* | F | 08 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 27 | Lavery, Roman* s r | F | 08 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 3 | Martin, Jude* r | D | 08 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 19 | Martin, Van* s | F | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 15 | Pankey, Brayden* v | D | 06 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 88 | Pura, Luca* | F | 08 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 24 | Schulha, Evan* | D | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 21 | Skadauskas, Mykolas* s m | F | 07 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 77 | Trebicky, Ben* c | F | 09 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 17 | Trockis, Toms* v | F | 06 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
| 4 | Zulinick, Aaron* v | D | 08 | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PPG | PPA | SHG | SHA | GWG | OTG | UAG | ENG |
REGULAR SEASON GOALIE STATS
| No. | GOALIE | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | SA | GA | GAA | SA% | ShO | MP | SOGP | SOW | SOA | SOGA | SO% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Carter, Jack* X | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | SA | GA | GAA | SA% | ShO | MP | SOGP | SOW | SOA | SOGA | SO% |
| 35 | DiBlasi, Samuel* | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | SA | GA | GAA | SA% | ShO | MP | SOGP | SOW | SOA | SOGA | SO% |
| 30 | Kobelka, Kason* | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | SA | GA | GAA | SA% | ShO | MP | SOGP | SOW | SOA | SOGA | SO% |
| Empty Net | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Totals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
- 'C' = Captain
- 'A' = Alternate Captain
- ap = Affiliate Player
- at = Aquired Via Trade
- c = University Committed
- i = Import
- m = Major Junior Experience
- q = Quit
- r = Rookie
- re = Released
- s = Signed
- t = Traded
- v = Returnee
- * = Started Season
- + = Injury
- X = Inactive
PLAYER MOVEMENT & TRANSACTIONS
PLAYER MOVEMENT & TRANSACTIONS
Eligeble Returnees
- Forwards: Cole Bieksa 07, Oliver Czaja 07, Thomas Duhamel 07, Toms Trockis 06, Anthony Nolan 06, Dmitrii Kubantsev F(08), Dario Lass F(06)
- Defencemen: Oscar Bjrok 06, Jack Bousquet 07, Liam Magnuson 07, Brayden Pankey 06, Seth Tansem 06, Aaron Zulinick 08
- Goalies: Oliver Kanat 08, Lane Maarhuis 06, Jesse Sanche G (06)
- UPDATE: Opted to go elsewhere: Kubantsev(Newfoundland Regiment-QMJHL) / Lass(HK Nitra-Slovakia) / Sanche(Whitecourt Wolverines-AJHL) / Kanat Minesota Wilderness(NAHL)
- UPDATE: No show at training camp: Czaja, Lass, Bousquet, Tansem
- UPDATE: Maarhuis Released after exhibition game 4
- UPDATE: 07-Sep-26 Traded: Magnuson to Cranbrook Bucks for a player development fee
- UPDATE: Released: Duhamel between exhibition games and start of regular season
New Recruits
- 07-Jan-26 Sign Jason Piccirillo D(08)
- UPDATE: No show at training camp
- 14-Jan-26 Sign Garret Trench F(07)
- UPDATE: No show at training camp
- 15-Jan-26 Sign Eli Sciborski F(08)
- UPDATE:18-Apr-26 Sciborski opted to go to Oklahoma Warriors(NAHL)
- 23-Jan-26 Sign Henry Colbert F(08)
- UPDATE: Released after exhibition game 4
- 18-Feb-26 Sign Bruce Basin D(09)
- UPDATE: No show at training camp
- 22-Feb-26 Sign Luukas Moffat G(09)
- UPDATE: Released after training camp
- 23-Feb-26 Sign Luke Assi F(08)
- UPDATE: Released after exhibition game 2
- 26-Feb-26 Sign Eli Milinkovich F(07)
- UPDATE: Released after training camp
- 05-Mar-26 Sign Keegan Shirley D(08)
- UPDATE: No show for training camp
- 30-Mar-26 Sign Jonathan Bitonti F(08), Ashton Darocy F(07), Max Alexander D(08)
- UPDATE: 09-Jul-26 Bitonti opted to go to Olds Grizzlys(AJHL)
- UPDATE: Darocy No show at training camp
- UPDATE: Alexander Released after exhibition game 2
2026-27 Season (starts June 1, trade deadline February 10, 4pm pst)
- 20-Jun-26 Sign Leandro Djuric 07(G)
- UPDATE: Released: Djuric between exhibition games and start of regular season
- 24-Jul-26 Sign Will Johnson F(08) from Burlington Cougars(OJHL) and London Nationals(GOJHL)
- 05-Aug-26 Aquire Jacob Wingfield F(06) playing rights from Okotoks Oilers for a Player Development Fee
- UPDATE: No show
- 05-Aug-26 Trade London Taylor F(08) to Spruce Grove Saints for a Player Development Fee
- 07-Aug-26 Sign Mason Kim F(07) from Mississauga Chargers(OJHL)
- 11-Aug-26 Sign Evan Schulha D(07) from Bonnyville Pontiacs(AJHL)
- 12-Aug-26 Sign Samuel DiBlasi G(07) from Chatham Maroons(GOJHL).
- 14-Aug-26 Sign Ryan Fairbairn D(07) from King Rebellion and Haliburton County Huskies(OJHL).
- 16-Aug-26 Sign Roman Lavery D(08) from Pacific Coast Academy U18 Prep
- 18-Aug-26 Sign Alexander Eklof F(06) from Frolunda HC J20,
- 20-Aug-26 Sign Van Martin F(07) from Lone Star Brahmas and New Hampshire Mountain Kings(NAHL)
- 24-Aug-26 Sign Mykolas Skadauskas F(07) from Lethbridge Hurricanes(WHL)
- 26-Aug-26 Sign Cole Ellis D(07) from Wellington Dukes(OJHL).
- 28-Aug-26 Sign Mortiz Ruegsegger F(08) from SCL Young Tigers program, Switzerland.
- UPDATE: Released: Ruegsegger between exhibition games and start of regular season
- 04-Sep-26 Acquire Tommy Karmiris F(06) from Alberni Valley Bulldogs for a Player Development Fee.
- 04-Sep-26 Add Jack Carter F(06) from Alberni Valley Bulldogs for a Player Development Fee
- UPDATE: 25-Sep-26 Quit? Carter no longer on roster list went to Rockland Nationals(CCHL)
- 17-Sep-26 Add Benjamin Trebick F (09) to roster
- 26-Sep-26 Announced Cohen Handby F (09) to roster at Home Opener
* - Unannonuced Roster Moves (From official BCHL Roster List through-out the season) Dates are approximate
GAMES
| EXHIBITION GAMES | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Opponent | GF | GA | OT | SO |
| Sep 7 | 2pm | @ West Kelowna | 2 | 5 | X | X |
| Sep 8 | 6pm | @ Salmon Arm | 4 | 8 | X | X |
| Sep 11 | 7pm | v Salmon Arm | 2 | 5 | X | X |
| Sep 12 | 2pm | v Trail | 6 | 0 | X | X |
| REGULAR SEASON GAMES | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEPTEMBER | TIME | OPPONENT | GF | GA | OT | SF | SA |
| 18 Fri | 7pm | @ Salmon Arm | 1 | 4 | X | X | X |
| 19 Sat | 7pm | @ Trial | 4 | 0 | X | X | X |
| 25 Fri | 7pm | @ Salmon Arm | 5 | 1 | X | X | X |
| 26 Sat | 6pm | v West Kelowna | 7 | 3 | X | X | X |
| SEPTEMBER 30, 24-HOUR ROSTER FREEZE | |||||||
| OCTOBER | TIME | OPPONENT | GF | GA | OT | SF | SA |
| 3 Sat | 6pm | v Salmon Arm | |||||
| 4 Sun | 2pm | v Blackfalds | |||||
SC = ShowCase Series in Nisku, Alberta
REGULAR SEASON TOTALS
| LEA | CON | DIV | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS | OTW | SOW | GF | GA | P% | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Note: SOL equates to 1 Goal Against
TEAM PERSONEL
TEAM PERSONEL
| TEAM PERSONEL | |
|---|---|
| OWNERSHIP & SENIOR MANAGMENT | |
| Owner & Governor | Tom Glen |
| Executive Vice President | Todd Miller |
| General Manager | Matt Cooke |
| Assistant General Manager | Mike Sommer |
| COACHING STAFF | |
| Head Coach | Matt Cooke |
| Associate Coaches |
Ryan Hollweg Mike Sommer |
| Goalie Coach | Lyle Mast |
| BENCH STAFF | |
| Head Therapist | Michal Stark |
| Equipment Manager | Coltan Boomer |
| Physiotherapist |
Dereck Geldrich Evan Moore |
| Chiropractor | Cameron Grant |
| Massage Therapist | Dylan Wiebe |
| BUSINESS STAFF | |
|
Marketing Manager / Office / Community Relations / Game Night |
Angie Morrissette |
| Box Office Ticketing |
Angela Bader Kailea Kibblewhite |
| GAME NIGHT STAFF | |
| P.A Announcer / Social Media | Rob Abromenko |
| Team Play by Play | Graham Turnbull |
| Game Nigh Host | Jason Armstrong |
| Team Photographer / Social Media | Lisa Mazurek |
| "Vipers Den" Coordinator | Elizabeth Hennig |
| Team Medic | Tom Matthews |
| OFF-ICE OFFICIALS | |
| Scorekeeper / Timekeepers |
Rande Evans Hubert Peterson |
| SUPPORT STAFF | |
| Education Advisors |
Don Klepp Rod Knopp |
| Team Pastor | David Hockley |
| Billet Coordinator | Paul & Kathy Davies |