Vipers Deal Veteran, Add D-man

The Vernon Vipers have made a one for one deal with the Langley Rivermen.

Defenceman Austin Chorney comes to Vernon, while veteran Keyvan Mokhtari goes to the Rivermen, a victim of the team having too many 20 years olds.

Chorney spent the last season and a half with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks scoring 6 goals with 4 assists in 51 games played.

Vipers Head Coach and GM Mark Ferner says, “It’s never easy to make trades and we were in a unique situation with seven 20 year olds and we knew something had to give.”

In acquiring Chorney, Ferner says, “He’s a player we’ve coveted since he was in Salmon Arm. He’s a big, strong and physical defender with some offensive upside.”

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The 6’1, 215 pound defenseman from Abbotsford will be entering his third full season and has already secured a commitment to play NCAA hockey for Ohio State University.

Mokhtari, a speedster from Burnaby, had a great season for the Vipers last season collecting 14 goals and 16 assists in 52 games.

“It’s never easy to make trades and Keyvan was a soldier for us last season,” says Ferner. “We really wanted to find him a good spot to play and we wish him nothing but the best.”

Pictured: Keyvan Mokhtari