Article content“The Vipers have been a huge part of my life for over half my life. To lose that, it’s going to be an adjustment period. Just being selfish, it’s tough to see something that you put so much time into not there anymore.Article content“I’m not ashamed to say that I loved being part of the Vipers. It was a huge part of my identity as a person.”Article contentMove to KensingtonArticle contentThe Vipers relocated from Borden-Carleton to Kensington in the late 1990s. In the franchise’s 30-year history, the team’s accomplishments will be hard to match at any level.Article contentIn a 20-year span between the 2003-04 and 2023-24 seasons, the Vipers were crowned P.E.I. junior B hockey champions 13 times, including seven in a row from 2010 to 2016.Article content“They meant a lot back in the day whenever you were competing against five and six teams,” said Waddell.Article contentThe Vipers also won two Don Johnson Memorial Cups – the Atlantic junior B hockey championship. Additionally, the Vipers played in six Don Johnson Memorial Cup finals, and all four losses were by one goal.Article contentArticle content“It’s been quite a run,” said Waddell. “Something I’m very, very proud of is to be part of all the championships that we won.Article content“The most important part for me was the relationships we had with the players over the years. Probably what means the most to me is when I see them now, a lot of them still call me ‘Coach’ or they’ll reflect on something that happened. Something that was said in the room, or something that I didn’t even remember that stuck with them.”Article contentMcIver agreed with Waddell the Vipers’ success is not only measured on the ice.Article content“A lot of good kids have come through and been a part of it,” said McIver. “A lot of them have gone on to be very successful people. I think there was one year we had three defencemen who are now doctors.Article content“It was a good run, a lot of success and a lot of fun.”Article contentHope to returnArticle contentDespite the setback this season, McIver is hoping steps can and will be taken to provide an opportunity for the return of junior B hockey in P.E.I. for the 2026-27 campaign.Article contentArticle content“We need to get the officials at Hockey P.E.I. around the table and come up with a formula where players are playing at the right skill level,” said McIver. “Now, in the (P.E.I.) junior C league, you will have a combination of (under-18) house league players playing with junior-A-calibre hockey players and it’s wrong in my opinion.Article content“They just kept allowing the junior C league to expand more and more, and players were deciding to go there and have less travel than playing at the junior B level. It’s unfortunate and it could have been prevented, in my opinion, but I’ve been fighting it for two years now. Maybe, now, somebody will start listening.”Article contentIf the opportunity does arise for the Vipers to return, they won’t have to look far for a coach.Article content“I wouldn’t pause for a second to come back,” said Waddell.Article contentArticle contentJason Simmonds is the sports editor at The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at jsimmonds@postmedia.com and followed on X @JpsportsJason.Article content
Kensington Vipers not icing a team for 2025-26 season
