Vipers' Ferner has code for success

MARK E. FERNER, who has taken over the reins of the BCHL Vernon Vipers, has a definitive code which he lives by. "It's honesty, integrity and character," he emphasized prior to Vernon's final exhibition contest.
While the Vipers lost 6-1 to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the Multiplex Saturday night, there was a definite reason for the defeat, for the Vipers were hurting with a tired first-year goalie Bryce Christianson "resting" due to back pain. In addition, veterans Scott Zurevinski (blisters), Travis Brisebois (ankle) and Rob Short (tendon) were on the ailing list.
Sitting in the empty Multiplex stands before the night's clash, Ferner emphasized the definite need for more able bodies before the Vipers opened the regular BCHL season against the Smoke Eaters in Trail Friday night. The Vipers take on the Westside Warriors in the home opener Friday, Sept. 14.
For Ferner, the past few weeks has been a roller-coaster ride since becoming general manager and head coach of the Vipers. It was a task he hadn't expected to fill after being fired by a former teammate and present GM-head coach Dean Clark of the WHL's struggling Kamloops Blazers.
Ferner, who will turn 42 tomorrow, was quick to point out he and Clark, seemingly, were not on the same page concerning that personal code of honour.
At Christmas time, the axe fell on Ferner and with the dismissal he decided to "drop out" out of the hockey wars and pursue a small venture, which would complement his wife Jody's interior design business.
However, fate intervened. Or at least, a minor-league game that involved his young son, Mackenzie.
After that contest, he had a chance to talk with Vipers' then general manager Troy Mick, who had been with the Blazers during the 2002-03 season, and it was then that Mick informed him he might be moving on from the Vipers. Mick has since joined a real-estate organization in Mexico.
Ferner, at first, was emphatic about taking time away from hockey, however, meetings with Mick and Vipers' owner Dr. Duncan Wray changed his mind.
"(Duncan) emphasized my own code of honesty, integrity and character during our meetings and that's what convinced me in joining the Vipers," said Ferner.
In addition to Mick's departure, Mark Holick decided to leave as well and take over the WHL's Kootenay Ice, replacing Cory Clouston, who had just been named head coach of the AHL's Binghamton Senators.
Earlier, the Vipers' associate coach Bernie Pimm joined Kal Tire's management team.
So the brain trust of Mick, Holick and Pimm were gone and Ferner took over Vipers' destiny, along with assistant coach, Colin O'Hara, who has had BCHL coaching experience with the Quesnel Millionaires, and Jason Williamson.
While pointing out a bevy of "rookies" in which to finalize his roster for the opening game in Trail, Ferner was impressed by their work ethic with these words: "I can honestly say, this bunch as a whole is the best bunch (I've worked with). Their mentality and their focus has been on winning."
He said the Jones Boys -- Connor and Kellen -- and tireless Hunter Bishop, who will join Ohio State next season, were exceptional. In addition he was impressed with returnees such as Kevin Koopman, Ryan Kakoske, Jon Smith, Chris Crowell and Short.
THAT'S ICE: Coach-GM Ferner, who was a standout junior defenceman with Kamloops, was drafted No. 194 by Buffalo Sabres in the 1983 NHL entry draft. He went on to play in the Bigs for 94 games with the Sabres, Washington, Anaheim and Detroit. During a 16-year career, he also toiled in the AHL, IHL and in Germany. His father, Ed, was a WHL scout with Kamloops while two brothers, Darryl and Kelly, were also minor-league players ... In the four pre-season games, Vernon split with Westside, winning 3-2 while losing 4-3. Although Salmon Arm belted the Vipers 6-1, they did manage a 1-1 draw with the 'Backs ... During the Sept. 14 home opener, Dr. Wray and assistant coach O'Hara will be part of "The Great Canadian Head Shave."