Vernon Vipers have swapped defencemen with the West Kelowna Warriors, getting Mac Ferner for Mitch Meek.

Ferner is a hard-nosed, shot-blocking veteran who will be a welcome addition to the Snakes. The Vernon product compiled two goals and 11 points with 57 penalty minutes in 49 games.

Meek leaves the Vipers after just one season in which he played 50 games and recorded 16 points. He was obtained early last season from the Victoria Grizzlies.

“This trade will reunite Mac with his father Mark who is in his second tenure as the head coach of the Vipers,” said Viper assistant GM Todd Miller. “It will be the first time that Mark has ever coached his son in organized hockey at any level and both are looking forward to it.”