Jim Parker reports on Vipers and Sharks.
LaSalle kicks off junior B season with the aim of doing some post-season ‘damage’
It has not been the frenzied off-season that it was a year ago for LaSalle Vipers general manager and head coach John Nelson.
After Bill Bowler stepped down to take on a full-time role with the Windsor Spitfires, Nelson took charge in July 2017 and had just over a month to put things together.
The club finished in third place in the Western Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League before losing in seven games in the opening round of the playoffs.
“We knew we had a very young team, but as a coach you always want more and I would have liked the guys to have had the experience of getting by the first round,” Nelson said. “The goal this year is to do some damage in the playoffs. I think we have the right crew to do it.”
LaSalle opens the season Wednesday at the Vollmer Complex against the London Nationals. The Vipers have 11 players back from a year ago.
“We were young, but we turned a lot of heads,” Vipers second-year defenceman Gianluca Pizzuto said of last season. “I don’t think anyone expected us to be third in the league. I expect that to be the expectation at least this year, if not better. The majority of us are back. The core is there and I think that’ll be one of our strengths.” Dershahn Stewart has moved on to junior A in Cobourg, but secondyear goalie James Walker, who posted a 10-4 record last season, will get the chance to be No. 1. “Walker did well,” Nelson said. “This year, we’re expecting a lot from him. He has the opportunity to be No. 1 and play a lot and he’s got the ability to do it.” Defence will be the strength of the Vipers with Pizzuto returning along with former Spitfires draft choice Stefan Dobrich, Abdul Abouzeeni and Bradley Vincent. The club picked up Spitfires thirdround pick Dylan Robinson along with Danny Skinner, who won a Sutherland Cup title with Listowel and is now going to school in the area.
“The majority of us are back,” said Pizzuto, who will serve as an alternate captain. “The core is there and I think that’ll be one of our strengths. Defence wins championships.”
Where the club might struggle is up front, where three of the team’s top four scorers have gradated. “Everyone’s going to have to chip in and dig down a little bit more,” said Vipers captain Brett Vorshuk, who was third in team scoring last season. “I am and I know a few of the other guys are (ready for a bigger role). Everyone knows they have to do their job rather than watch Manny (Silverio, who led the team in scoring last season) go end to end every shift.” The club will look for Jack Bowler, Evan Ferguson, Kory Silverio, Max Sieberer, Aaron Shaw and A.J. Ryan to take on bigger roles this season.
“We’re expecting a lot from Kory, and Vorshuk’s our sniper,” Nelson said. “A.J. could be one of the fastest guys in our division and Evan has unreal upside. We’re looking for Jack to step up and Shaw could be a breakout guy.” LaSalle added Cody Schneider in a trade. He had 23 goals with Leamington last season and 22 goals the year before that with Strathroy. Rookies Colton Krzeminski, Matt Carvalho and Spencer Paradis will also get a chance to contribute.
“This year we’re going to do a lot more things by committee,” Nelson said.