The Vernon Vipers received a great present at the B.C. Hockey League's Christmas break in forward Talan Blanck.
The 20-year-forward from Fond du Lac, WI, scored three times and added seven points in his first three games with the Vipers, and ended up as the team's leading scorer with 32 points in 27 games.
Blanc 香蕉视频直播� acquired by the Snakes after he played 22 games in the United States Hockey League with the Sioux City Musketeers 香蕉视频直播� was named Vernon's Most Valuable Player, as the team held its season awards ceremony following their final game of 2024-25 Saturday, March 29, against the Cranbrook Bucks.
Blanck also collected the team's top scorer award.
The three Vipers who played with the team from opening to final night received honours.
Captain Erik Pastro won the Duncan Wray Memorial Award for sportsmanship and leadership. Koji Gibson was named the Sun Valley Source For Sports Most Improved Player winner. Charlie Kresl took home the Rookie of the Year trophy.
Edvin Nilsson was named Top Defenceman. The Blueliners Award and ($1,750) scholarship went to Ryan Watt. Collecting the Bill Brown Award for Academic Excellence was Jett Quashnick.
The winner of the Rienie Holland Community Service Award went to Nathaniel Harvey.
Noah Ideback took home the Most Sportsmanlike Player Award.
Sharing the Unsung Hero Award were Tyson Zimmer and Kyren Gronick.
The Wayne Buck Memorial Award for hard work and selfless play went to Eric Johnston.
Goalie Jari Kykkanen was the winner of the Fan Favourite Player Award.
"The Vipers capped off another season by recognizing the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our players at the annual awards ceremony," wrote the team on its website. "From on-ice excellence to off-ice leadership, this year's award winners exemplified the commitment and passion that define Vipers' hockey."
Kykkanen, Watt, Zimmer, Gronick, Johnston, and defenceman Danill Dolzhenko were recognized as the team's 20-year-olds and graduating players. Collectively, the six Snakes played in more than 1,300 junior games in various leagues, including 294 from Zimmer, mainly in the Western Hockey League.
Eight members of the team will continue their careers at the university level: Zimmer (Niagara University); Kresl (UMass-Lowell); Blanck (University of Alaska-Fairbanks); Pastro (University of Nebraska-Omaha); Gibson (Northern Michigan University); Michael Munroe (University of Maine); Eddie Revenig (Bemidji State University).
