Vipers' owner really cares

DUNCAN WRAY is one owner who really cares.
Of course, it always helps when the turnstiles issues a healthy profit, but this personable man wants to see his Vernon Vipers succeed, not only on the ice, but in the schooling department.
That's readin' and writin' and whatever educational advantages he can give his boys that are recruited on a regular basis by a scouting staff that beats the 'bushes.'
"I'm very passionate about this league (the British Columbia Hockey League) and this level of hockey," he told me midway through the first exhibition game against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at the modern and comfortable Multiplex.
"My objective in getting involved was seeing kids move to the next level -- which in our case is the big carrot at the end of the stick -- scholarship to college."
Dr. Wray, who when out of the arena, has a bundle of degrees behind his name, and specializes in oral and maxillofacial surgery in Vernon, meaning he extracts teeth, deals with jaw cysts and things like tumors (ouch, ouch), practises what he preaches. "I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for an education. If we can help kids get an education through their ability to play hockey, more power to them."
The Good Doctor is not a hands-off owner, he's definitely one who steps out and makes certain would-be Vipers get the full treatment.
And what's that, Doc?
"As far as recruiting is concern. they will come here, I don't necessarily go to them ... but for someone that's considered a good prospect we might invite them here for a weekend sometimes in either the spring or the summer. I will meet them and sell them our program."
So what is the program he's selling?
"It's the facility (the Multiplex) and also the track record we have in getting scholarships. We probably have 70 scholarships in eight or nine years, total ride scholarships to U.S. schools." Those NCAA Division One schools include North Dakota and Boston University.
He was quick to point out the differences between the BCHL Junior A level, which encompasses 17 teams, and the Major Junior Western League (which includes teams such as Kelowna Rockets and the Kamloops Blazers). "I think more mistakes are made at this level and that tends to lead to scoring opportunities ... leading to goals. I'm not saying that in a negative way in the terms of mistakes. Like any kid they are finding their way and learning the ropes. We give them the opportunity to be a little more creative."
With head coach and general manager Troy Mick, with his run-and-gun style of hockey, Dr. Wray sees a difference between this year's edition of the Vipers than last season.
"It's a little too early to tell right now, but certainly last year and the last few years, it has been a very defensive-minded team. I think our coach (Mike Vandekamp) at the time was happier to win a game 1-0 than he was to win 6-1 and that was his style. He liked the defensive style. With Troy (Mick) it's going to be more of an offensive-minded team and we'll win a lot of games with high scores."
The Doc discussed the hiring of Mick this way.
"This is our present coach's second run here with me ... he had left to go to the Western League. He had a few health issues there and had to step down. He was living back here after that, and when the opportunity came to re-hire him, I jumped (at the chance)."
For Dr. Wray, this is his 14th season as owner/He has lived in Vernon for almost 20 years.
"I was doing some work for the team prior to buying it," he told me. "I would do some of the facial injuries that they would run into during the course of the game ... and at the time the owner (Mel Lis) was looking to get out. At one time, he requested a leave of absence from the league. The league turned him down. He was getting a little tired of running it. He had been running it for five or six years.
"So I sort of approached him and said I would be interested in investing in it, figuring I'd be a part-owner with him or something, but it turned out he wanted to divest himself of the whole team, so here I am."
As for his aspirations for the Vipers, he said: "My hope every year is that we win the whole thing. That's the objective every year. I don't go into a season to have a so-so record, I go in to win."
And he's here for the long term.
"You couldn't drag me out of here with a team of Clydesdales right now."
THAT'S ICE: The second annual Ice Breaker night will be held Thursday, Sept. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. It's for season ticket holders and corporate sponsors ... The next night, Friday, Sept. 9, at 7, the Vipers open their season against the Williams Lake Timberwolves ... Since I have a schedule in front of me, here are the other teams in the BCHL besides the Vipers -- Williams Lake, Prince George Spruce Kings, Merritt Centennials, Cowichan Valley Capitals, Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Burnaby Express, Trail Smoke Eaters, Penticton Vees, Powell River Kings, Quesnel Millionaires, South Surrey Eagles, Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Chilliwack Chiefs, Victoria Salsa, Langley Hornets, Nanaimo Clippers. Whew!