John Glen, owner of the Vernon Vipers (photo courtesy of the Vernon Vipers)

By Regan Bartel

Rivalry loss

Vernon Vipers owner applauds Penticton Vees move to WHL

Mar 27, 2025 | 1:45 PM

The owner of the Vernon Vipers is praising the Penticton Vees for their move to the Western Hockey League (WHL).

John Glen, speaking from his home in snowy St. Albert, Alberta, told Pattison Media’s RocketFAN, “It’s a smart business move for them.”

The Vees were granted an expansion franchise by the WHL on Monday. They will transition from the BCHL and begin play in the 2025-2026 season.

Their first game, marking their entry as the WHL’s 23rd franchise, will take place at home against the Kelowna Rockets in late September.

“They operate a very professional program, and I’m the first to admit that,” Glen continued. “They’ve set the standard, and now it’s up to other BCHL teams to raise their game to that level.”

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The Vees have been part of the BCHL since the early 1960s. The Vipers, established in 1995, have been under the ownership of John Glen and his brother Tom since 2018, when they took over the franchise.

“I think the WHL is getting a quality [Penticton] owner in Graham Fraser, and I’m confident he’ll do a great job for them,” Glen added.

While the Kelowna Rockets gain a natural rival with the Vees joining the WHL, the Vipers lose one.

“It was a one-sided rivalry, I’ll tell you that,” Glen said with a laugh. “I always enjoyed playing Penticton. I love going there. Their rink is great. Even our former coach, Jay McKee, is coaching there now as an assistant.”

Given Penticton’s success in running a junior hockey franchise despite having a population of just 37,000, Glen was asked why a city like Vernon, with a population of 44,000, couldn’t do the same by going up a tier in their evolution as an organization.

Regan Bartel spoke to John Glen on why the Penticton Vees are so highly regarded:

“It comes down to infrastructure,” Glen responded swiftly. “It would be a challenge.”

Kal Tire Place, the Vipers’ home arena, has a significantly smaller capacity of 3,000 compared to Penticton’s South Okanagan Events Centre, which holds 5,000, and also lacks luxury suites.

“I’m not keen on the direction the BCHL seems to be heading,” Glen continued, referencing rumors that the league may allow more older players and additional import spots on team rosters.

Currently, BCHL teams are allowed six 20-year-olds, while the WHL restricts them to three.

“The future direction is uncertain right now,” he said. “When we took over the team, our vision was for every coach and player to be seen and compete at the highest level possible. It feels like those standards have shifted with the league becoming older.”

This season, the Vipers were hit hard by changes to NCAA eligibility rules, allowing WHL players to join NCAA teams at any point once their junior careers end. They lost players like Shea Bush to the Everett Silvertips, Keaton Dowhaniuk to the Moose Jaw Warriors, and Lukas McCloskey to the Wenatchee Wild.

“It’s a great fanbase in Vernon with a rich history of the Vipers,” Glen said, expressing satisfaction in remaining a BCHL team regardless of how the league evolves.

“I think the city is a perfect fit for a Junior A team.”