The Vernon Vipers have re-stocked their depleted roster with the commitment of five players for next B.C. Hockey League season.
Local 17-year-old products Linden Hora and Ryley Booth, along with Americans Johnny Coughlin and Thomas Aldworth, and Ontario’s Kyle Tanev signed Monday.
Booth, a defenceman from Armstrong, posted five goals and 22 points with the North Okanagan Knights of the KIJHL. He played one game for Vernon in the Fred Page Cup final series and a few regular-season games.
“Ryley got better and better as the season progressed,” said Viper head coach/GM Jason Williamson. “He has good patience with the puck and also has good size. We’re excited about the tremendous potential in Ryley.”
Booth, who turns 18 in July, attended the Camrose Kodiaks’ spring camp a year ago but is stoked to be a Viper.
“It will be nice to stay home and play,” said the Grade 12 Pleasant Valley student. “I try to stay calm and not panic with the puck. I’m usually pretty defensive, depending on how comfortable I am. I pick my spots on offence.”
Booth loves Drew Doughty of the Kings and cheers for the Calgary Flames. He played two years of Midget Tier 1 in Vernon.
Hora, a forward from Kelowna who started his career in Vernon, played last season with the Okanagan Major Midget Rockets. He pocketed 18 goals and 27 points with the national bronze-medalist Rockets. Hora is a two-way right winger.
“Linden played a few games for us and we think he can step in and contribute right away,” said Williamson. “He plays the game the right way and will be a fan favourite.”
Said Hora, who was born in Vernon and played four years of minor hockey here: “I’m going to bring physical play and put some pucks in the net. It’s my hometown and I’ve always wanted to play for the Vipers.”
Coughlin, a defenceman from Massachusetts who turns 19 in July, rang up 10 goals and 26 points in 25 games with Trinity-Pawlings Lions last season. He was the co-captain of his Prep school team and recently committed to the Holy Cross Crusaders of NCAA Division 1. He is no relation to former Viper Liam Coughlin.
“Coughlin is an offensive-minded defenceman we have been after for a while. He has great size at 6-foot-3 and skates very well. We will lean on John to be a key contributor to our back end right away.”
Tanev, a 19-year-old forward from Ontario, pocketed 18 goals and 45 points in 41 games with the Thorold Blackhawks in the Greater Ontario Junior League. He is the younger brother of Vancouver Canuck Chris Tanev.
“Kyle is a very smart player,” said Williamson. “He sees the ice very well and is very mature. He’s the type of player we were looking for, a player we can play in all situations.”
Aldworth, a 19-year-old forward from Texas, split last season between the Tri-City Storm of the USHL and the Lone Star Brahmas of the NAHL, getting six goals and 10 points in 42 games.
“Thomas has elite level speed and offensive abilities. He will be a player that will be hard on the forecheck and will be able to create offence.”
Vernon now has nine forwards, five d-men and a goalie signed for next season.
Meanwhile, Williamson completed a few trades from last year. Ben Butcher’s rights were acquired from the Chilliwack Chiefs in exchange for future considerations. Butcher’s rights, along with Demico Hannoun’s, were then traded to the Surrey Eagles for future considerations, to finalize the deal which brought Surrey captain Brett Mulcahy to Vernon.
Winger Matt Saharchuk’s rights were traded to the Battleford North Stars of the SJHL in exchange for futures, finishing a trade for Josh Betinol.
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks signed winger Karl El-Mir from the Selects Academy U18 team in St. Lambert, Que. El-Mir, 18, was voted MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in the USPHL U18 Division last season with 17 goals and 48 points. He has a scholarship to the University of Connecticut for 2015.
Karl El-Mir’s stats speak for themselves. In 30 games played, El-Mir scored 21 goals and 37 assists for a total of 58 points.
Troy Mick, President, Governor & General Manager stated, “Karl is a high-scoring tenacious offensive winger with an explosive skill set. He’s an excellent skater with breakaway speed who loves to put points on the board. Silverback fans will love the way that he plays and how he competes every night. He is sure to be a fan favorite at the Shaw Centre this coming season.”
El-Mir will be joining his Selects teammate Chase Priskie (Quinnipiac 2015) in Salmon Arm. Priskie committed to the ‘Backs earlier this spring.
