Todd Miller, Vipers executive vice president (YouTube/Vernon Vipers)

By Pete McIntyre

Vernon is pod site

Long wait almost over: Vipers pumped for return of BCHL

Mar 12, 2021 | 12:22 PM

There are still a lot of unknowns, but management of the Vernon Vipers is just happy there will be a season in the BC Hockey League.

The league’s board of governors has approved a shortened 2020-21 season after the Provincial Health Office accepted the league’s proposal for a safe return to play.

The Vipers, as a team, were informed of the good news Thursday after practice by coach and general manager Jason McKee.

“We’re real excited to give our kids an opportunity to play and showcase their skills,” said Todd Miller, executive vice president of the Vipers, one of 17 teams in the Junior A league. “We know it’s not going to be a season like any other, but it was about getting the kids on the ice and giving them an opportunity.”

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The B.C. government has confirmed five pod cities will be used to limit travel, with those sites in Vernon, Penticton, Coquitlam, Chilliwack and Port Alberni.

Miller has heard teams will play between 18 to 20 regular season games.

“I really think that will be the number we land around. How that looks, and how the pod concepts look, will be something we will find out in the coming days and weeks,” he told Vernon Matters.

The BCHL last played in September and November 2020 in exhibition games with regional cohort teams.

Miller said it’s been a “long road” for the players, waiting to see if there would be a season.

“Our players have been at the rink every single day practicing, following protocols, staying healthy and trying to work themselves into what they hoped would be game shape so they would get this opportunity.”

There won’t be any fans allowed in the buildings, which could change later on, depending on what happens with Covid cases in the province.

“We’re seeing some things loosen up from the PHO slowly [but] it’s not something we’re banking on,” Miller remarked. “We’re definitely going to open up other channels. We’ve done a great job digitally and through our social media. Hockey TV is a big part of it, Beach Radio is a big part of it. We’re really hoping those are the ways we will engage our fans, with potential talk of different viewing parties and other things.”

The Voice of the Vipers on 107.5 Beach Radio, Graham Turnbull, can`t wait to start calling games again.

“It’s really exciting! Not knowing whether or not a season was going to take place was difficult on everyone, so to see it finally get the green light is fantastic. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for everyone involved trying to get the return to play completed, but it really shows the passion to get these players on the ice,” Turnbull told Vernon Matters.