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Western Mass Vipers

The Vipers were founded in 2013 to provide our kids the opportunity to play highly competitive hockey across MA, CT, and NY with the objective of preparing them for their HS seasons and beyond. We are a player and family-focused not-for-profit organization committed to competitive hockey, strong professional coaching, the development of each player and transparency to our members.  Our teams are run as financial collaboratives and we divide expenses equally among all players. Since 2016 we have been members of the Eastern Junior Elite Prospects League.  We complement our league games with a strong independent schedule. 

2019 Try-Outs Start March 17- Register at the Try-Outs Tab Above

By Jim Watkins 03/03/2019, 9:30pm EST

Registration for try-outs for 2019 Viper teams and the try-out schedule is now available by clicking on the try-outs tab.  

Online registration (preferred): $60
Onsite registration (available): $80

Highlights of the Vipers program include:

  • Teams at the 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U levels
  • Split-Season Fall Teams Aug.-Nov., 25-30 games
  • 2 Single-Team Full-Ice Practices per Week (Sept. – Nov. at Lossone Arena)
  • Experienced Professional Coaching
  • Spring Program includes the Vipers Cup: April-June (15U-18U) player favorite, highly competitive, spring hockey
  • Vipers are not-for-profit – low costs, all ice fees are invested in our players
  • Combined Record of our 3 Midget Teams in ‘18 was 66-21-3
  • 18 Vipers are Captains or Alternate Captains of their ‘18-19 HS Teams
  • 17 Vipers were First Team All-Western Mass Selections for ‘17-18 HS Season (43% of all D3 and D3A Selections)
     

2019 Coaches
18U: Mike Rousseau and Lou Vezina
16U: Dave Foster
15U: Rob Pattison (see bio below)
14U: Kevin Stefanik and Evan Sullivan

The try-out schedule is:

14U (2005)
Tuesday,    March 19,    8:00 PM, Fitzpatrick Arena
Saturday,   March 23,   3:45 PM, Fitzpatrick Arena
Sunday,      March 24,    2:20 PM, Fitzpatrick Arena

15U (2004)
Monday,    March 18,    8:00 PM, Fitzpatrick Arena
Saturday,   March 23,    2:30 PM, Fitzpatrick Arena
Sunday,       March 24,    1:00 PM, Fitzpatrick Arena

16U (2003)
Sunday,      March 17,    9:00 AM,     Smead Arena
Sunday,      March 24,    10:20 AM,   Smead Arena
Monday,     March 25,    8:00 PM,     Fitzpatrick Arena

18U (2001 and 2002)
Sunday,            March 17,    10:20 AM,    Smead Arena
Wednesday,  March 20,     7:30 PM,      Smead Arena
Sunday,             March 24,    9:00 AM,      Smead Arena

Vipers Welcome Rob Pattison to Coach the 2019 15U (2004) Team

By Jim Watkins 03/03/2019, 8:45pm EST

The Vipers welcome Rob Pattison, who will join our organization and coach the 2019 15U (2004) team. Rob graduated from the University of Vermont where he played four years of D1 hockey.  Following UVM, Rob played 4 years of pro hockey in the ECHL, AHL and IHL with 3 of those years coming in the NJ Devils system. Rob has coached for ten years in Brattleboro as well as serving as a coach for the VT Development Camp.  Rob also coached the Deerfield Academy preseason team in 2017-2018.  We are excited to welcome Rob to the Vipers!

Congratulations to Garren Fugiel, Ben Watkins, Bryan Baumann and CJ Tenczar on 100 Career HS Points

By Jim Watkins 01/24/2019, 9:00am EST

The Vipers congratulate Garren Fugiel (Easthampton High), Ben Watkins (South Hadley High), Bryan Baumann (Greenfield High) and CJ Tenczar (Easthampton) on reaching 100 career high school points.  Well done boys!  

Viper Leaders

By Jim Watkins 01/22/2019, 2:30pm EST

18 Vipers are Captains or Alternate Captains of their ‘18-19 High School teams. (Click the Viper Leaders tab to see who.)

Playoff Time

By Jim Watkins 11/07/2018, 3:45pm EST

The Vipers 18U and 16U teams are off to the EJEPL playoffs this weekend.  Both teams go into the playoffs following very strong seasons with the 18U team posting an overall record of 18-7-0 and the 16U team posting a record of 18-4-1.  Our 15U teams sits on top of their division with a 19-1 mark in league play and an overall record of 33-11-3.  Good luck boys! Bring home some hardware. 

Did you know?

By Jim Watkins 11/07/2018, 3:45pm EST

17 Western Mass Vipers earned First Team All-Western Mass Honors for the 2017-2018 High School Season and 8 Western Mass High Schools had Vipers as team captains.  Looking to push those numbers further in 2018-2019!

Vipers ISlides are Back

By Jim Watkins 08/27/2018, 4:15pm EDT

ISlides are back. $35.00 directly from ISlide personalized in white or black.  Discount code is vipers2018. Order at: https://www.islideusa.com/products/western-mass-vipers

 

2018 Coaching Staff and Practice Schedule at Lossone

By Jim Watkins 08/21/2018, 8:45am EDT

Our 2018 Coaches:

18U: Mike Rousseau (HC Amherst HS) and Lou Vezina (HC Chicopee Comprehensive HS)

16U: Dave Foster and Matt Crutch (HC Belchertown HS)

15U: Bill Grise (HC Easthampton HS)

14U: Kevin Stefanick (Assistant HC South Hadley HS)

Here are the practice times at Lossone starting Friday 9/7:   

14U Tuesday 7:40-8:40 pm, Friday 6:00-7:00 pm

15U Monday 6:00-7:00 pm, Thursday 7:20-8:20 pm  

16U Monday 7:10-8:10 pm, Thursday 8:30-9:30 pm

18U Monday 8:20-9:20 pm, Wednesday 7:30-8:30 pm

Vipers Spring Cup Championship

By Jim Watkins 08/04/2018, 9:45am EDT

Gold Defeats White for First Vipers Spring Cup 

Jonathan Hanscomb had a shut out and Nate Pacheco, Ben Watkins and Matt Pacheco each scored as Gold defeated White 3-0 in the Vipers Cup Championship game.  Aidan McBride, Sean Doherty and Nate Pacheco had assists for Gold while Kyle Vezina stopped 39 shots for White. Both Gold and White walked away with Vipers gear for their efforts.

Thanks to all the players and families for a fun and exciting spring tournament.  

Vipers Spring Cup

By Ryan Scott 06/18/2018, 10:45am EDT

 

Our Vipers Spring Cup begins April 22.  Our 15U, 16U and 18U players will be divided into equal teams and compete in a six game round-robin tournament on Sundays at Smead, culminating in a championship game for bragging rights.  The schedule is below (no games Mother's Day Weekend or Memorial Day Weekend).   

4/22/2018                     Red 3   White 2  (OT)              Gold 7   Black 3  

4/29/2018                     Gold 4  Red 2                           Black 1  White  5

5/06/2018                     Gold 5 White 4                         Black 1  Red 1   

5/20/2018                     Red  3 White 3                          Gold 1   Black  3 

6/03/2018                     Gold 6 Red  4                            Black 3   White 3

6/10/2018                     Gold 2  White 1                         Black 2  Red  3

6/17/2018 (Semis)       Gold 7 Black 6 (3OT, SO)         Red 1   White 6

6/24/2018 (Finals)       Gold 3 vs. White 0                 

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