Anthony Latina of the Carleton Place Canadians so liked the medical attention he got during the Royal Bank Cup, he’s moving to Vernon.
Rocked by Viper d-man Josh Bryan in the neutral zone in preliminary national Junior A hockey tournament play in May, Latina survived the check and will spend his 20-year-old season with the Vipers.
“He got up and he was in the final (against Yorkton Terriers),” said Viper head coach/GM Jason Williamson, who closed the deal for the 5-foot-10 winger/centre Thursday.
“He’s definitely a top-six forward and is a veteran guy which we needed to add because we are so young,” said Williamson. “He’s played Major Junior and he wants one good last season of Junior hockey.”
Latina, a Scarborough, Ont. product, wore No. 12 in the RBC, earning one goal. He rang up six goals and 15 points in just 10 games with Carleton Place after earning 2-2-4 with the Major Junior Quebec Remparts in 26 games. He added 3-6-9 for the Canadians in the playoffs.
He began his Junior career with the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, who were also in the RBC in Vernon. Latina was a teammate of d-man Luke Shiplo in the 2011-12 season.
Shiplo is also joining the Vipers’ den after being acquired in a deal which saw veteran blueliner Michael Stachuk head to the Battleford North Stars of the Saskatchewan League.
Shiplo, 19, of Oakville, Ont., garnered 1-6-7 with the Lincoln Stars of the U.S. League last season. A left shot, he had 3-7-10 with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL two years ago.
“I watched video of him and he’s a guy who can come in and run the powerplay,” said Williamson. “He’s a good puck mover.”
Williamson said Statchuk requested a move closer to his hometown of Wadena, Sask.
