Vancouver Vipers
| Fort Vancouver Vipers | |
|---|---|
| City | Vancouver, Washington |
| League | NPHL |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Home arena | Mountain View Ice Arena |
| Colors |
Green, Black, & Yellow |
| Affiliates |
Tri-City Storm (USHL) Alaska Avalanche (NAHL) Coquitlam Express (BCHL) |
| Franchise history | |
| 2004–2011 | River City Jaguars |
| 2011–2012 | Vancouver Victory |
| 2012–2013 | Vancouver Vipers |
| 2013–2014 | Fort Vancouver Vipers |
The Fort Vancouver Vipers were a non-profit USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior A ice hockey team playing in the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NPHL). The league helps 16 to 20-year-old players develop hockey skills in a professional environment while maintaining their amateur status for college eligibility. The team played their home games at the Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver Washington, USA since the 2010–11 when they were known as the River City Jaguars.[1] The franchise joined the NPHL (then known as NorPac) in 2004 when it was a Jr. B league, in 2007 the league and member teams were granted Tier III Jr. A status by USA Hockey, the governing body for ice hockey in the United States.
On October 14, 2014, the Ft. Vancouver Vipers Hockey Club ceased all operations, due to an insufficient amount of players and a recent increase in player injuries.
Alumni
The Vipers franchise has had a number of alumni move on to collegiate programs and higher levels of junior ice hockey in the United States and Canada.
On November 27, 2005, the then Jaguars lost a player, Jonathan Medina from California, who was on his second season with the team, in an accident. The Jaguars/Vipers franchise, in honor of Medina, has retired his jersey and number.
On April 13, 2010, the franchise saw its first alumnus to sign with an NHL team, when Jake Newton signed a 3-year entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks.
Team affiliates
In 2011, the River City Jaguars affiliated themselves with the Tier II Alaska Avalanche of the North American Hockey League and the Tier I Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League to further player growth and development.
In 2012, the Vancouver Vipers affiliated with the Canadian Junior A Coquitlam Express of the British Columbia Hockey League[2] which they maintained until ceasing operations in 2014.
References
- ↑ "Junior hockey team moves to Vancouver". The Columbian. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
- ↑ http://www.pointstreak.com/news_story.html?id=148570
External links
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