Vernon Vipers
CityVernon, British Columbia, Canada
LeagueBritish Columbia Hockey League
ConferenceInterior
Founded1961 (1961)–62
Home arenaKal Tire Place
ColoursRed, navy, gold, white
       
Owner(s)John Glen
Tom Glen
General managerJason McKee
Head coachJason McKee
Websitewww.vipers.bc.ca/
Franchise history
1961–1962Vernon Jr. Canadians
1962–1967Vernon Blades
1967–1973Vernon Essos
1973–1978Vernon Vikings
1978–1980Vernon Canadians
1980–1995Vernon Lakers
1995–presentVernon Vipers

The Vernon Vipers are a junior "A" ice hockey team based in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Interior Conference of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). They play their home games at Kal Tire Place.

History

The Vernon Jr. Canadians, Penticton Jr. Vees, Kelowna Buckaroos and Kamloops Rockets, four junior "B" teams, formed the Okanagan-Mainline Junior Hockey League in 1961 on the advice and determination of Canadians owner Bill Brown.[1]

After their inaugural season the Canadians changed their name to "Vernon Blades"[2] and kept that name until the start of the 1967–68 season.

In the playoffs of 1970 the "Vernon Essos", as they were called, captured the league championship and Mowat Cup (BC). They also automatically advanced to the Abbott Cup (Western Canada) because the AJHL champions did not want to contest for the BC/Alta Championship (now called the Doyle Cup). In the 1970 Abbott Cup, the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League defeated Vernon 4 games to none.[3]

The Essos repeated as league champions and Mowat Cup winners in 1972, only to lose to the Red Deer Rustlers for the BC/Alta Championship, 4 games to 2.[4]

For the start of the 1973–74 season the Vernon Essos became the Vernon Vikings. They remained the Vikings until the end of the 1977–78 season.[5] The team took a leave of absence for the 1979–80 season.

In the 1980–81 season, as the Vernon Lakers, the team only won 8 games out of the 56 played. They next season, they won only 10 of 47 games. It was not until the 1982–83 season that Lakers began to gradually improve. In the 1988 playoffs, the team made it to the Doyle Cup. In 1989, the Lakers started the first of four consecutive trips to the National Championships, which saw them win two Centennial Cups (1990 and 1991), three Abbott Cups, three Doyle Cups, four Mowat Cups, four league championships, and five conference championships.[6]

In the 1990 Centennial Cup final, Vernon (as host) faced the heavily favored New Westminster Royals, who had previously defeated Vernon in the league finals. It was the first televised Centennial Cup Final. The game had New Westminster take the lead into the third period, 5–3 before Cam Sylven tied the game for the Lakers, 5–5, in the third period to force overtime. He scored once again in overtime on a breakaway for the 6–5 win and the first of two Centennial Cups for the Lakers.[7]

The Lakers repeated as Centennial Cup winners in 1991 defeating the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, 8–4.[8] They also contested for the national finals in 1992, but lost in the semifinals to the Winkler Flyers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, 5–2.[9]

The Vernon franchise would not return to the national tournament for another four years. In 1996, the team had rebranded as the Vernon Vipers and the trophy was the inaugural Royal Bank Cup. It was one of Vernon's best seasons as they finished the regular season with a 43–13–4 record. The Vipers defeated the Langley Thunder for the league title, four games to one, before defeating the Prince George Spruce Kings (Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League) for the Mowat Cup, three games to none. They then faced the Saint Albert Saints (Alberta Junior Hockey League) team winning four games to three to claim the Doyle Cup.The Abbott Cup, which was now awarded during the Royal Bank Cup round-robin play, was given to Melfort Mustangs (Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League) as they defeated Vipers, 5–1. The Vipers had an even round-robin, winning two games and losing two. The Newmarket 87's of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League were the Vipers' next opponent in the semifinals, which they won, 7–4. In the final, the met the host Melfort Mustangs, avenging their lose in the semifinals, winning by a score of 2–0.[10]

Three years after winning the inaugural Royal Bank Cup, Vernon won another in 1999. The Vipers finished the season with a 52–6–2 record, then went on to defeat the Chilliwack Chiefs for the league title, the Fred Page Cup. They won the Mowat Cup over the Kimberley Dynamiters (RMJHL) four games to one, but it was the first time a team from the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League defeated a team from the BCHL. The Doyle Cup was also won by Vernon, four games to one, over the Calgary Canucks (AJHL). The Vipers struggled in the Royal Bank Cup tournament, winning only once during round-robin play, but was enough to claim the Abbott Cup by defeating the Estevan Bruins (SJHL), 3–2. Vernon still managed to advance to the semifinals based on the one win and in that semifinals, the Bramalea Blues (OPJHL) were defeated by a score of 3–2. The Vipers then defeated the Charlottetown Abbies (Maritime Junior A Hockey League), 9–3, claiming the franchise's fourth national championship in ten years.[11] The 1999 Viper team was inducted in the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.[12]

In the 2000–01 season, the Vernon Vipers failed to make the playoffs, the first time since 1982.

In 2009, the Vipers swept through the league playoffs, defeating the Penticton Vees four games to one, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks four games to two and the Powell River Kings four games to two, for the league championship.[13] The Vernon Vipers then swept the regional and national series with ten straight wins and no losses. They defeated the Grande Prairie Storm for the Doyle Cup,[14] and in the Royal Bank Cup Tournament they defeated all teams in the round-robin: the Kingston Voyageurs, 6–3, in the semifinal and the Humboldt Broncos, 2–0, in the final, winning the franchise's fifth national title and third Royal Bank Cup. With five national titles, Vernon is the only junior A franchise to have that distinction.[15]

In 2010, the Vipers were league and divisional winners with 105 points, second all-time for the franchise, finishing with a league record of 51–6–0–3. Having avoided the elimination round, the Vipers met up with the fifth place Quesnel Millionaires in the quarterfinals, defeating them four games to two. The Penticton Vees were the Vipers' next opponent in the semifinals, also defeated by a result of four games to two. In the BCHL finals, the Vipers once again took on the Powell River Kings. The Kings took Vernon to a game seven, which the Vipers won by a score of 3–1, advancing to the Doyle Cup. The Doyle Cup series also went to seven games against the Spruce Grove Saints, with Vernon winning 7–3. The 2010 National Junior A Tournament was held in Dauphin, Manitoba. The Vernon Vipers record in the round-robin was 3–1 and advanced to the semifinal against the Brockville Braves, winning 2–0. In the final against the host team, the Dauphin Kings, the Vipers won 8–1, giving the Vernon Vipers their fourth Royal Bank Cup and sixth national championship for Vernon.[16] The Vipers were the third team that had won back-to-back national championships, the previous two being in 1981 and 1982 Prince Albert Raiders and the 1990 and 1991 Vernon Lakers.[17]

The Vernon Vipers fourth national title tied them with the Prince Albert Raiders, although it is the sixth for the franchise, a new Canadian record.[18] In 2014, the Vipers were once again in the national tournament, as hosts, setting a record of ten appearances.[19]

Season-by-season history

Royal Bank Cup Abbott Cup Doyle Cup Mowat Cup League Champions
VERNON JUNIOR CANADIANS
Season Division Regular season[lower-alpha 1] Playoffs[lower-alpha 2]
Finish GPWLTOTLPtsGFGAGPWLGFGAResult
1961–62 — 4th 297211—1595182 523—— Lost Semifinals, 2–3 (Buckaroos)
VERNON BLADES
Season Division Regular season Playoffs
Finish GPWLTOTLPtsGFGAGPWLGFGAResult
1962–63 — 3rd 319220—18114145 514—— Lost Semifinals, 1–4 (Buckaroos)
1963–64 — 3rd 347270—14124219 725—— Third place round robin
1964–65 — 4th 3010164—2499132 514—— Lost Semifinals, 1–4 (Buckaroos)
1965–66 — 4th 304251—9100212 404—— Lost Semifinals, 0–4 (Kraft Kings)
1966–67 — 3rd 4015250—30—— 514—— Lost Semifinals, 1–4 (Broncos)
VERNON ESSOS
Season Division Regular season Playoffs
Finish GPWLTOTLPtsGFGAGPWLGFGAResult
1967–68 — 3rd 4019174—42213218 404—— Lost Semifinals, 0–4 (Broncos)
1968–69 — 3rd 4019156—44177191 404—— Lost Semifinals, 0–4 (Cougars)
1969–70 — 1st 4832124—68245151 1587—— Won Semifinals, 4–1 (Centennials)
Won Final, 4–2 (Cougars)
Mowat Cup, Automatic Winners
Lost Abbott Cup, 0–4 (Red Wings)
1970–71 Interior 2nd 6034206—74285248 514—— Lost in Div. Semifinals, 1–4 (Rockets)
1971–72 — 1st 6042171—85—— 18108—— Won Semifinals, 4–1 (Bruins)
Won Final, 4–3 (Broncos)
Mowat Cup, Automatic Winners
Lost Pacific Centennial Cup Regional, 2–4 (Rustlers)
1972–73 Interior 4th 6127331—55292287 514—— Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 (Rockets)
VERNON VIKINGS
Season Division Regular season Playoffs
Finish GPWLTOTLPtsGFGAGPWLGFGAResult
1973–74 Interior 3rd 6437261—75340302 404—— Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–4 (Broncos)
1974–75 Interior 3rd 6631332—64327343 1046—— Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 (Broncos)
Lost Div. Final, 0–4 (Buckaroos)
1975–76 — 1st 6647181—95390247 10[lower-alpha 3]4.55.5—— Won Quarterfinals, 8pts–2pts (Bruins)
Lost Semifinals, 1pt–9pts (Vees)
1976–77 Interior 3rd 6829372—60259321 624—— Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–4 (Vees)
1977–78 Interior 6th 6610560—20251486 did not qualify
VERNON CANADIANS
Season Division Regular season Playoffs
Finish GPWLTOTLPtsGFGAGPWLGFGAResult
1978–79 Interior 3rd 6232291—65345338 624—— Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–4 (Rockets)
1979–80 Team took a leave of absence
VERNON LAKERS
Season Division Regular season Playoffs
Finish GPWLTOTLPtsGFGAGPWLGFGAResult
1980–81 Interior 5th 568480—16205435 did not qualify
1981–82 Interior 5th 4710362—22182304 did not qualify
1982–83 Interior 2nd 5635201—71280235 734—— Lost Div. Semifinals, 3–4 (Knights)
1983–84 Interior 2nd 6045150—90452276 624—— Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–4 (Buckaroos)
1984–85 Interior 2nd 5128212—58261262 734—— Lost Div. Semifinals, 3–4 (Centennials)
1985–86 Interior 3rd 5228213—59338281 7343326 Lost Div. Semifinals, 3–4 (Packers)
1986–87 Interior 2nd 5233172—68381257 10644547 Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 (Knights)
Lost Div. Final, 2–4 (Packers)
1987–88 Interior 1st 5242100—84381216 1914512075 Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 (Centennials)
Won Div. Final, 4–0 (Knights)
Won BCJHL Final, 4–1 (Sockeyes)
Won Mowat Cup, 2–0 (North Stars)
Lost Doyle Cup, 0–4 (Canucks)
1988–89 Interior 1st 6040191—81376256 31229146112 Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 (Packers)
Won Div. Final, 4–0 (Centennials)
Won BCJHL Final, 4–1 (Royals)
Won Mowat Cup, 2–0 (Mustangs)
Won Doyle Cup, 4–2 (Rustlers)
Won Abbott Cup, 4–2 (Broncos)
4th place Centennial Cup round robin
1989–90 Interior 1st 5833205—71330229 191279273 1st place Interior round robin
Lost BCJHL Final, 2–4 (Royals)
Second place Centennial Cup round robin
Won Centennial Cup Semifinals, 11–5 (Hawks)
Won Centennial Cup Final, 6–5 (OT) (Royals)
1990–91 Interior 3rd 6037203—77359266 28235170126 Won Div. Semifinals, 4–0 (Spartans)
Won Div. Final, 4–2 (Chiefs)
Won .BCJHL Final, 4–0 (Paper Kings)
Won Mowat Cup, 3–0 (Spruce Kings)
Won Doyle Cup, 4–1 (Royals)
Won Abbott Cup, 5–4 (OT) (Terriers)
4th place Centennial Cup round robin
Won Centennial Cup Semifinals, 7–5 (Terriers)
Won Centennial Cup Final, 8–4 (Cubs)
1991–92 Interior 4th 6034233—71348286 30228168116 Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 (Spartans)
Won Div. Final, 4–2 (Chiefs)
Won BCJHL Final, 4–0 (Ice Hawks)
Won Mowat Cup, 3–0 (Spruce Kings)
Won Doyle Cup, 4–2 (Grizzlys)
Won Abbott Cup, 5–3 (Flyers)
1st place Centennial Cup round robin
Lost Centennial Cup Semifinals, 2–5 (Flyers)
1992–93 Interior 3rd 6035232—72336278 5141422 Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 (Panthers)
1993–94 Interior 3rd 6031290—62286314 11473848 Won Div. Semifinals, 4–3 (Panthers)
Lost Div. Final, 0–4 (Spartans)
1994–95 Interior 3rd 6028284—60297284 9544137 Won Prelim. Round, 2–0 (Ice Hawks)
Lost Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Panthers)
VERNON VIPERS
Season Division Regular season Playoffs
Finish GPWLTOTLPtsGFGAGPWLGFGAResult
1995–96 Interior 1st 6043134—90324219 30237156102 Won Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Clippers)
Won Semifinals, 4–0 (Capitals)
Won BCJHL Final, 4–1 (Thunder)
Won Mowat Cup, 3–0 (Spruce Kings)
Won Doyle Cup, 4–3 (Saints)
Lost Abbott Cup, 1–5 (Mustangs)
Third place Royal Bank Cup round robin
Won Royal Bank Cup Semifinals, 7–4 (87's)
Won Royal Bank Cup Final, 2–0 (Mustangs)
1996–97 Interior 1st 6043145—87339212 14955650 Won in Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Centennials)
Won in Semifinals, 4–1 (Smoke Eaters)
Lost in BCHL Final, 1–4 (Eagles)
1997–98 Interior 2nd 6033198—74251229 7341725 Lost in Quarterfinals, 3–4 (Smoke Eaters)
1998–99 Interior 1st 60526—2106305145 3022815088 Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–1 (Centennials)
Won in Conference Final, 4–0 (Spruce Kings)
Won in BCHL Final, 4–1 (Chiefs)
Won in Mowat Cup, 3–1 (Dynamiters)
Won in Doyle Cup, 4–1 (Canucks)
Won in Abbott Cup, 3–2 (Mustangs)
Fourth place in Royal Bank Cup round robin
Won in Royal Bank Cup Semifinals, 3–2 (Blues)
Won in Royal Bank Cup Final, 9–3 (Abbies)
1999–00 Interior 2nd 603520—575242216 18995664 Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–2 (Spruce Kings)
Won in Conference Final, 4–3 (Centennials)
Lost in BCHL Final, 1–4 (Chiefs)
2000–01 Interior 5th 602426—1058203225 did not qualify
2001–02 Interior 1st 603321—672243205 171075240 Won Conf. Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Centennials)
Won Conf. Final, 4–3 (Panthers)
Lost BCHL Final, 2–4 (Chiefs)
2002–03 Interior 1st 6047120195273150 171075240 Won Conf. Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Panthers)
Won Conf. Final, 4–0 (Smoke Eaters)
Won BCHL Final, 4–0 (Chiefs)
Mowat Cup, Automatic Winners
Lost Doyle Cup, 2–4 (Kodiaks)
2003–04 Interior 2nd 6037151782233182 5141317 Lost Conf. Quarterfinals, 1–4 (Smoke Eaters)
2004–05 Interior 1st 604293693232156 14954041 Won Conf. Semifinals, 4–0 (Vees)
Won in Conference Final, 4–1 (Spruce Kings)
Lost BCHL Final, 1–4 (Eagles)
2005–06 Interior 3rd 6036182478205165 10553229 Won Conf. Quarterfinals, 4–1 (Spruce Kings)
Lost Conf. Semifinals, 1–4 (Silverbacks)
2006–07 Interior 2nd 6037191378246193 221487053 Won Conf. Quarterfinals, 4–2 (Warriors)
Won Conf. Semifinals, 4–1 (Smoke Eaters)
Won Conf. Final, 4–1 (Vees)
Lost BCHL Final, 2–4 (Clippers)
2007–08 Interior 4th 6036202276238185 10643531 Won Conf. Quarterfinals, 3–0 (Smoke Eaters)
Lost Conf. Semifinals, 3–4 (Vees)
2008–09 Interior 1st 6042141388223145 2520515290 Won Conf. Semifinals, 4–1 (Vees)
Won Conf. Final, 4–2 (Silverbacks)
Won BCHL Final, 4–2 (Kings)
Mowat Cup, Automatic Winners
Won Doyle Cup, 4–0 (Storm)
1st place Royal Bank Cup RR
Won Royal Bank Cup Semifinals, 6–3 (Voyageurs)
Won Royal Bank Cup Final, 2–0 (Broncos)
2009–10 Interior 1st 6051603105298119 32211111777 Won Conf. Semifinals, 4–2 (Millionaires)
Won Conf. Final, 4–2 (Vees)
Won BCHL Final, 4–3 (Kings)
Mowat Cup, Automatic Winners
Won Doyle Cup, 4–3 (Saints)
2nd place Royal Bank Cup RR
Won Royal Bank Cup Semifinals, 2–0 (Braves)
Won Royal Bank Cup Final, 8–1 (Kings)
2010–11 Interior 1st 6036114985197141 282179359 Won Conf. Semifinals, 4–2 (Warriors)
Won Conf. Final, 4–2 (Silverbacks)
Won BCHL Final, 4–0 (Kings)
Mowat Cup, Automatic Winners
Won Doyle Cup, 4–3 (Saints)
1st Place Royal Bank Cup RR (4–0)
Won RBC Semifinal vs (Dukes) 4–1
Lost RBC Final vs (Kings) 2–0
2011–12 Interior 5th 6030271263208193 did not qualify
2012–13 Interior 6th 5621251952139170 did not qualify
2013–14 Interior 3rd 5830184670187175 191096658 Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 (Warriors)
Won Div. Final, 4–3 (Vees)
Won Semifinal Round Robin 2–0
Lost BCHL Final, 0–4 (Express)
2014–15 Interior
BCHL		 2nd
4th		 5836181376218161 11743231Won Div. Semifinals, 0–4 (Centennials)
Lost Div. Final, 3–4 (Vees)
2015–16 Interior
BCHL		 4th
12th		 5824310351179206 514921 Lost Div. Semifinal, 1–4 (Vees)
2016–17 Interior
BCHL		 2 of 6
6 of 17		 5830194569181158 12754027Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 (Smoke Eaters)
Lost Div. Finals, 3–4 (Vees)
2017–18 Interior
BCHL		 2 of 7
2 of 17		 5839144183205118 10552419Won Div. Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Silverbacks)
Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–4 (Wild)
2018–19 Interior
BCHL		 4 of 7
8 of 17		 582621—1163166160 5411311Won First Round, 4–1 (Silverbacks)
Won Second Round, 4–3 (Smoke Eaters)
Won Semifinals, 4–1 (Wild)
Lost BCHL Finals, 0–4 (Spruce Kings)
2019–20 Interior
BCHL		 5 of 7
8 of 17		 5830240464174178 5412211Won First Round, 4–1 (Wild)
Playoffs Cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)
2020–21 Pod 1 of 3 20136-1286955 Pod Season Only, No Playoffs
2021–22 Interior
BCHL		 6 of 9
10 of 18		 542723-461152154 5141426Won First Round, 4-1 (Warriors)
2022–23 Interior
BCHL		 7 of 9
11 of 18		 542721-660160164 11563636Won Div. Quarterfinal, 4-2 (Warriors)
Lost Div. Semifinal, 1–4 (Silverbacks)
  1. ↑ Code explanation; GP—Games Played, W—Wins, L—Losses, T—Tied games, OTL—Overtime/Shootout losses, GF—Goals For, GA—Goals Against, Pts—Points
  2. ↑ The result of the playoff series shows the team's result first regardless of the outcome, followed by opposite team in parentheses.
  3. ↑ Both playoff series was a first to 8 points series which resulted in one tie game versus Penticton.

Notable alumni

Alumni who played in the National Hockey League

Other notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ "60th Anniversary Spotlight: 1960's". BCHL.ca. 19 November 2022.
  2. ↑ "60th Anniversary Spotlight: 1960's". BCHL.ca. 19 November 2022.
  3. ↑ "Vernon Essos ruled BC Junior Hockey 50 years ago". vernonmorningstar.com. 25 November 2020.
  4. ↑ "Vernon Essos 1971-1972 Season". VernonJrAHockey.ca. 25 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Vernon Vikings Statistics and History". HockeyDB.com. 25 November 2020.
  6. ↑ "The Greatest Moments in Vernon Junior Hockey History". bchlnetwork.ca. 6 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "1990 Centennial Cup". youtube.com. 28 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Centennial Cup All Time Results". HockeyCanada.ca. 26 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "1992 Centennial Cup". en.wikipedia.org/. 26 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Recapping the Vipers' 1996 RBC Cup Win". bchlnetwork.ca. 24 June 2021.
  11. ↑ "Memories Of The '99 Vipers". vernonvipers.com. 22 July 2016.
  12. ↑ "BCHHF 1998-99 Vernon Vipers". bchhf.com. 22 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "2008-2009 British Columbia Hockey League Season". vernonjrahockey.ca. 22 July 2022.
  14. ↑ "Doyle Cup". en.wikipedia.org. 22 January 2022.
  15. ↑ "Game Summary". hockeycanada.ca. 22 June 2009.
  16. ↑ "The Greatest Moments In Vernon Junior Hockey History". bchlnetwork.ca. 6 March 2021.
  17. ↑ "Centennial Cup All Time Results". HockeyCanada.ca. 26 May 2022.
  18. ↑ "RBC Cup 2018 Guide and Record Book" (PDF). HockeyCanada.ca. 26 May 2018.
  19. ↑ "RBC Cup 2018 Guide and Record Book" (PDF). HockeyCanada.ca. 26 May 2018.


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