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Vegreville Vipers Win Champions Cup
Vegreville Vipers Win Champions Cup
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
The Vegreville Vipers swept the final series against the Hinton Timberwolves in three games straight to close out the 2023-24 hockey season as champions of the Canadian American Junior Hockey League (CAJHL) on March 24.
Hometown fans erupted in the stands following the 4-2 victory and many stayed to watch CAJHL Commissioner Darryl Olsen present The Champions Cup to Vipers Captain Braden Van de Kraats. Holding the championship banner were Assistant Captians Ryan Drake, Carson Pewarchuk, Dawson Bilyk and Colby Warawa.
Following the presentation, Van de Kraats shared his thoughts on winning the coveted trophy. “It’s absolutely awesome. Especially after losing to them (Timberwolves) last year in the finals. It was a huge accomplishment for our team and everyone is over the moon ecstatic.
When asked if he expected to sweep the final series in three straight games, Van de Kraats said, “I’d probably be lying if I said we did, but we are absolutely proud of everyone and that we were able to come out and win it in three.”
As to what he thought was the team’s secret to success this year? Van de Kraats replied, “Probably just how well a team we were. Everyone got along great. Everyone had fun, and there was no problem when it came to the team’s chemistry.”
Assistant Captain Carson Pewarchuk had an outstanding season scoring wise, but said he doesn’t keep track of his statistics, adding that: “We won it here for everyone and that’s what counts.”
Pewarchuk said it was an “unbelievable” feeling to win the championship, especially after losing in last year’s final to the Timberwolves. The Vipers played the first two games of the final series in Hinton and had the momentum coming back home to Vegreville. “The home fans were unbelievable today. They really got us going and helped us win today.”
Vipers General Manager Bryan Brown stated, “I’m so very proud of every player in our organization and hope to advance as many players as I possibly can this season. Bringing in Tom Tookey to our coaching staff paid off tenfold with his knowledge and experience. It boosted the room morale and confidence in these young men to become champions.”
Tookey said he’s known Brown for the past six or seven years. “I kept in touch with him and in February it sounded like he needed some help with coaching and he asked if I’d come on board for a couple of months.”
It wasn’t until the first week of practice that Tookey realized how good the players were. “I could see some serious talent on this team. So, I started reviewing video and doing my notes like I used to do with the Sherwood Park Crusaders when I coached with them and other Triple A teams. Of course, my brother Tim is a coach and we go back and forth over notes all the time.
I just started developing some full ice, neutral zone, defensive zone, offensive zone passing drills for them. I was just adamant about going from tape to tape setting up power plays and maximizing it. They really came on as a team and started getting stronger.
The last thing I really emphasized was when you look at all the NHL teams they’ll tell you and junior teams, it’s critical that the T zone, that’s in the dressing room is at a high level. If it’s not, there’s breakdowns on all your offensive, defensive and neutral zones. So, when you get strong in the dressing room and work with one another symbolizing almost like a tight family then when you take that on the ice, then you can do anything; and that’s what they did.”
