Vernon Vipers head coach and general manager Mark Ferner handed in his resignation Tuesday morning.
Ferner became head coach and general manager in the 2007-08 season.
“Mark’s goal has been to coach at the professional level and the opportunity presented to him is a step towards that goal,” said Vipers owner Duncan Wray in a one-page press release. The release does not reveal where Ferner is headed.
“We are here to develop not only players but coaches, and we are pleased to see him move on,” added Wray.
In four years with the Vipers, Ferner guided the team to three straight Fred Page Cup BCHL championships, three consecutive Doyle Cup (B.C.-Alberta) titles and three straight appearances in the Royal Bank Cup Canadian championship final. The Vipers won the RBC Cup in 2009 and 2010, and lost this year’s championship game to Ontario’s Pembroke Lumber Kings 2-0.
With the departure of Ferner, the Vipers are promoting assistant Jason Williamson to head coach and GM.
“It was an easy decision to have Jason take over the top job as he is already familiar with our returning players and incoming recruits,” said Wray. “The hockey world respects Jason’s contributions to the success the Vipers have enjoyed over the past four seasons.
“We want to thank Mark for all of his contributions and wish him all the best at his new endeavour.”
