Vipers name new captain

Jun 12, 2019 | 9:42 AM

The Vernon Vipers have announced their captain for the 2019-20 B.C. Hockey League season.

Twenty-year-old Connor Marritt will wear the C — a choice that makes sense for a lot of reasons, according to Vipers’ new Head Coach and General Manager Jason McKee.

“We talked with a number of the players and with other people around the Vipers,” McKee said. “It’s clear that his character suits the role; he’s a great teammate and really good in the community. And he works hard; he takes no shortcuts and that suits the culture that we want to have. Basically, he embodies the kind of person we want on the Vipers. And it’s a bonus that he’s a local player, growing up in Vernon and in Kelowna.”

Marritt, a hard-nosed winger, describes the captaincy as a huge honour, coming on the heels of his recent committment to Northern Michigan for 2020-21.

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“I’ve watched previous Viper captains and I played with Jags [Jagger Williamson] for two years, so I know how much responsibility is involved. I’ve seen the way Jags interacted in the community. Also, he was so good with his teammates, making everybody feel part of the team. He’s a guy’s guy, someone whom we all like and respect,” Marritt said.

Marritt, who calls Kelowna his hometown, remembers the way Chris Crowell carried himself when he was the Viper captain for two years.

“That guy never took a shift off. He brought it every night, which I think is part of being a captain. You lead by example, which is what I expect of all our veterans this coming year.”

In his second season with the Snakes, the 6-1, 190-pound Marritt had 13 goals and 27 assists for 40 points, tied for second on the team.

McKee and Marritt have met to discuss the upcoming season, and the new captain is enthused about “the pro-style system” the coach will introduce this year.

“It’s a little different than the system we’ve been used to, so it’s important that the team leaders help the new players buy into this way of playing. I think with the strong players we have returning and the good new signings, we’re going to have a really good team,” Marritt added.

by Pete McIntyre

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