The B.C. Hockey League trade deadline came and went Monday, Feb. 10, and, for the Vernon Vipers, with it went the team's all-star, leading scorer, and a 2024-25 opening night original.
In three separate deals, the Vipers 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ sitting in 10th place in the Interior Conference, seven points out of a playoff spot with 15 games remaining 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ traded away a trio of 20-year-olds: team all-star Marko Stojkov, leading scorer Will Schumacher, and forward Luke Bibby who, until Monday afternoon, was one of just four Vipers left from the season's opening night game Sept. 20.
"It's not like we were trying to sell out, that's not what we're doing," said Vipers head coach Lukas Lomicky on Tuesday, Feb. 11. "Those 20-year-olds, two of them don't have scholarships (Bibby, Stojkov), so we gave them a chance for maybe a longer season. We still don't know if we're going to get into the playoffs or not."
Stojkov was dealt to the Sherwood Park Crusaders in exchange for defenceman Eddie Revenig, 19, forward Michael Munroe, 17, and future considerations.
Schumacher was traded to the Victoria Grizzlies, along with future considerations and the BCHL playing rights to former Vipers forward Georgios Stavrianeas, in exchange for 20-year-old forward Ryan Watt, and 17-year-old forward Finn Kallay.
Stavrianeas 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ who left the Vipers in December 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ was later flipped by Victoria to the Penticton Vees, in exchange for the playing rights of defenceman Julien Wasmer.
Bibby is now a member of the Brooks Bandits, dealt to the Alberta club for forward Shane Burns.
Schumacher led the Vipers with 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 37 games.
Watt, from North Vancouver, is a BCHL veteran with more than 150 games of regular season and playoff experience.
Kallay, from St. Albert, Alta., is a young forward who has had a nice start to his BCHL career with five goals and five assists.
"It was a deal that made sense," said Lomicky, of the trade with the Grizzlies. "We get another good 20-year-old (Watt) for him (Schumacher) who is going to help us this year, and we're getting Finn Kallay, who is a really good young player, and he's going to be good for us next year as well."
Stojkov had 19 points with the Vipers. He was the team's all-star representative at the league festivities in Salmon Arm in January, where he won the Hardest Shot event during the Skills Competition.
Revenig, from Edina, Minn., has two goals in 10 games this season. He is committed to Bemidji State University in his home state.
Munroe, from Hanover, Mass., just recently joined the BCHL. He suited up in five games with the Crusaders. He is committed to the University of Maine.
Bibby was fifth in Vipers' scoring with 8-11-19 in 36 games.
Burns, 19, from San Clemente, Cal., had two assists in 13 games with Brooks.
All three of Vernon's trading partners 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ four if you count Stavrianeas and the Vees 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ sit in playoff spots.
"That was something we did for them to help them out (traded Vipers) because they were really good to us," said Lomicky.
Brooks (29-8-0-2) is third in the Interior Conference, one point behind the second-place Trail Smoke Eaters, and three points back of Penticton. The Bandits are 12 points up on the Crusaders (24-16-0-0) and Salmon Arm Silverbacks (21-13-6-0), who are tied for fourth (Crusaders have three more wins).
The Grizzlies (21-11-6-0) currently sit third in the Coastal Conference, one point behind the second-place Surrey Eagles, and one point ahead of the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Coquitlam Express, who are tied for fourth. The Chilliwack Chiefs lead the Coast by eight points over Surrey.
"We had mixed emotions and different scenarios," said Lomicky of the triad of trades Monday. "I felt like things would work out for us, and we're getting back decent players and assets for next year as well. So, yes, pretty happy with the trade deadline overall."
The Vipers (12-21-6-0) continue their quest for a playoff berth with three games in four days starting Friday, Feb. 14.
Vernon hosts the 11th-place Blackfalds Bulldogs (6-31-2-0) in a 7 p.m. Valentine's Day start at Kal Tire Place.
The Snakes will entertain Stavrianeas and the conference-leading Penticton Vees (30-7-3-0) Saturday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. Vernon will head to Salmon Arm Monday, Feb. 17, for a Family Day afternoon game at Rogers Rink against the Silverbacks. The game is the final regular-season meeting between the two rivals.
Trail 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ winners of 13 in a row, and who haven't lost in the 2025 calendar year 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ visit Penticton for a sweetheart of a Valentine's Day game Friday evening.
