A Vernon Vipers player winning an individual honour in the arena of one of the team's biggest rivals?
It happened to Snakes defenceman Marko Stojkov.
The 20-year-old from Mississauga, ON., won the Hardest Shot competition during the B.C. Hockey League's Skills Competition, part of All-Star weekend hosted by the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at Rogers Rink.
Stojkov was the only player to surpass 90 kilometres per hour, when he clocked a shot at 90.8 km/h to win the event.
"Winning the hardest shot was a really cool feeling," said Stojkov to . "When I saw the competition, I won't lie, I was feeling a little nervous. I went out there and just tried to hit the puck as hard as a I could, and it ended up being the fastest. I was happy and excited to found out that I won.
"It was a huge honour for me to go to Salmon Arm to represent the Vernon Vipers at All-Star weekend. Being a 20-year-old in my final year of junior, it was a really nice feeling to be recognized, selected to play, and compete with all of the top talent in the BCHL."
Stojkov beat out Calvin Beard of the Powell River Kings, Luca Primerano of the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Bryce Sookro from the Cranbrook Bucks, and Caden Tremblay of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs to win the honour.
Taking home the Hardest Shot was part of an epic weekend for Stojkov, who has three goals and 14 assists in 29 games played for the Vipers this season. He was also on Team Purple, which won the All-Star Weekend's 3-on-3 tournament.
"I definitely had a ton of fun this weekend," said Stojkov. "Team Purple had a great group of guys, and we were super excited to take home the trophy. A big thank you to the City of Salmon Arm and the Silverbacks for organizing such a great event."
Stojkov and the Vipers return to regular season action with a doubleheader at home this weekend.
Vernon will try to snap a three-game losing streak when they entertain the Okotoks Oilers (16-17-0-0) Friday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. at Kal Tire Place (KTP). The three losses have come against Alberta opposition.
The Vipers will take on the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters (23-8-2-1) Saturday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. at KTP.
Vernon (10-18-5-0) sits in 10th spot in the Interior Conference, seven points behind the Oilers for the eighth and final playoff spot with each team having 21 games left to play. The Spruce Grove Saints (14-18-2-0) are ninth with 30 points.
The Penticton Vees (26-6-2-0) have a four-point lead over the Brooks Bandits (24-6-0-2) atop the conference. The Smokies are third, one point behind Brooks.
