Vipers History
Our Story
Junior B hockey has a long, storied history in Red Deer. The Vipers, first known as the Red Deer Cowboys, are founding members of the Heritage Junior Hockey League, beginning the league in 1986-87. The team wasted little time establishing itself, capturing the HJHL tile in just its third year in 1988-89. The Cowboys then became known as the Terroco (Terroco Oil Field) Knights. The first year under the new name was again a success, winning the HJHL title as well in 1989-90. After a change in title sponsorship in the early 90s, the team became know as the Red Deer Stars of Destiny (Destiny Bus Lines) before in 1996-97 becoming the Dick’s Auto Red Deer Vipers, then dropping the corporate sponsorship from the name in 97-98 to become the Red Deer Vipers. The Vipers name came into instant success as they once again captured the HJHL title in 1998-99. In 2003-04, the Vipers once again reached the summit of the Heritage League, but this time also captured their first of two Provincial Championships, accomplishing this feat again in 2005-06. In that 05-06 season, the Vipers reached the true Jr B mountaintop as well, winning the Western Canadian Championship, the Keystone Cup. The Vipers would twice more ascend to the HJHL’s pinnacle in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
The Vipers are proud to have this storied history and a tradition of excellence. They are model Junior B franchise in the province of Alberta.
SEASON BY SEASON RECORDS
SEASON, RECORD ,W-L-T-OTL, PLACE
1998-1999 33-3-1-0, 65pts, 1st, HJHL CHAMPIONS
1999-2000 33-2-1-1, 68pts, 1st
2000-2001 30-4-3-0, 63pts, 1st
2001-2002 24-10-3-1, 52pts, 2nd
2002-2003 20-12-2-2, 44pts, 2nd
2003-2004 24-12-0-0, 48pts, 2nd, HJHL CHAMPIONS, PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS
2004-2005 32-4-1-3, 68pts, 1st
2005-2006 37-0-0-1, 68pts, 1st, PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS, KEYSTONE CUP CHAMPIONS
2006-2007 24-7-3-2, 53pts, 2nd
2007-2008 20-9-6-1, 47pts, 4th
2008-2009 18-14-3-1, 40pts, 4th
2009-2010 24-9-1-2, 51pts, 2nd
2010-2011 25-9-2-0, 52pts, 2nd
2011-2012 26-9-0-3, 55pts, 1st
2012-2013 24-5-6-3, 57pts, 2nd, NORTH DIVISION CHAMPIONS
2013-2014 18-17-1, 37pts, 4th
2014-2015 18-18-2, 38pts, 4th
2015-2016 25-9-4, 54pts, 3rd
2016-2017 25-12-1, 51pts, 3rd HJHL CHAMPIONS
2017-2018 30-5-1, 61pts, 1st, HJHL CHAMPIONS
2018-2019 29-8-1, 59pts, 2nd
2019-2020 24-13-1, 49pts, 2nd
2020-2021 4-0-0, 8pts, 1st, SEASON CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
2021-2022 25-8-3, 2nd
VIPERS INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Regular Season
POINTS
Single season:
1. 86, Ryan Kure 2005-2006
2. 68, Drew Todd 2008-2009
3. 67, Mack Differenz 2017-2018
4. 66, Colin Christensen 2005-2006
5. 66, David Foord 2011-2012
All-time:
1. 206, Cole deGraaf
2. 186, Ryan Kure
3. 169, Mack Differenz
4. 166, Kolton Gillett
5. 165, Kale Lapointe
GOALS
Single season:
1. 39, Cole deGraaf 2014-2015
2. 37, Colin Christensen 2005-2006
3. 36, Ryan Kure 2005-2006
4. 31, Mack Differenz 2017-2018
5. 30, David Foord 2011-2012
All-time:
1. 106, Cole deGraaf
2. 82, Ryan Kure
3. 78, Kolton Gillett
4. 71, Mack Differenz
5. 66, David Foord
ASSISTS
Single season:
1. 50, Ryan Kure 2005-2006
2. 42, Drew Todd 2008-2009
3. 41, Maverick Blair 2009-2010
4. 40, Brody Kalinowski 2018-2019
5. 39, Dave Dow 2005-2006
All-time:
1. 111, Brody Kalinowski
2. 102, Ryan Kure
3. 101, Kale Lapointe
4. 101, JD Morrical
5. 100, Cole deGraaf
PENALTY MINUTES
Single season:
1. 332, Dave Jenkins 2002-2003
2. 294, Dave Jenkins 2003-2004
3. 197, Dave Butts 2003-2004
4. 184, Matt Belich 2008-2009
5. 180, Matt Belich 2009-2010
All-time:
1. 626, Dave Jenkins
2. 518, Matt Belich
3. 433, Tristyn Zarubiak
4. 325, Mack Differenz
5. 314, Kolton Gillett
GAMES PLAYED
1. 147, Brody Kalinowski
2. 146, Cole deGraaf
3. 143, Kale Lapointe
4. 143, David Foord
5. 141 Justin Corbett
Playoffs
POINTS
Single season:
1. 35, Kale Lapointe 2017
2. 30, Logan Linnell 2017
3. 28, Logan Linnell 2018
4. 23, Jeff Kohut 2013
5. 23, Cole deGraff 2013
All-time:
1. 58, Logan Linnell
2. 50, Kale Lapointe
3. 48, Mack Differenz
4. 45, JD Morrical
5. 43, Kolton Gillett
GOALS
Single season:
1. 18, Logan Linnell 2018
2. 14, Kale Lapointe 2017
3. 14, Logan Linnell 2017
4. 13, Spencer Yeats 2017
5. 11, Kolton Gillett 2013
All-time:
1. 32, Logan Linnell
2. 20, Mack Differenz
3. 20, JD Morrical
4. 19, Kale Lapointe
5. 19, Kolton Gillett
ASSISTS
Single season:
1. 21, Kale Lapointe 2017
2. 16, Logan Linnell 2017
3. 14, Cole deGraaf 2013
4. 13, Jeff Kohut 2013
5. 13, Kolton Gillett 2011
GAMES PLAYED
1. 49, Braden Corbett
2. 47, Brody Kalinowski
3. 46, Connor Sullivan
4. 45, Jordan Koopmans
5. 45, Tristyn Zarubiak
Playoff History
2004
Russ Barnes Trophy Provincial Championship - Lloydminster, SK
April 5
Red Deer 2 @ Edmonton 2
April 6
Red Deer 4 @ Calgary 3
April 7
Vermillion 1 @ Red Deer 14
Semi-final
Okotoks 2 @ Red Deer 3
Championship
Calgary 1 @ Red Deer 6
RUSS BARNES TROPHY CHAMPIONS
Keystone Cup - Schreiber, ON
Red Deer 3 @ Richmond 4
Regina 3 @ Red Deer 4
Norway House 4 @ Red Deer 5
Red Deer 10 @ Aguasabon 1
Red Deer 1 @ Thunder Bay 3
Bronze Medal Game
Thunder Bay 5 @ Red Deer 7
KEYSTONE CUP BRONZE MEDALISTS
2006
HJHL Playoffs
Lost to Okotoks in semi-final 2-0
Russ Barnes Trophy Provincial Championship - Grande Prairie, AB
April 6
Saddle Lake 5 @ Red Deer 5
April 7
Edmonton 6 @ Red Deer 3
April 8
Red Deer 5 @ Ft. St. John 4
Semi-final
Red Deer 3 @ Okotoks 2
Championship
Red Deer 3 @ Edmonton 2
RUSS BARNES TROPHY CHAMPIONS
Keystone Cup - Campbell River, BC
Red Deer 6 @ Saskatoon 2
Campbell River 3 @ Red Deer 2
Delta 0 @ Red Deer 4
Red Deer 6 @ Thunder Bay 0
North Winnipeg 0 @ Red Deer 0
Championship
Red Deer 3 @ Campbell River 2 OT
2007
HJHL Playoffs
Lost to Lacombe in div. finals 4-0
2008
HJHL Playoffs
Lost to Lacombe in div. finals 3-1
2009
HJHL Playoffs
Lost to Lacombe in div. finals 3-2
2010
HJHL Playoffs
Lost to Blackfalds in HJHL finals 2-0
Russ Barnes Trophy Provincial Championship - Peace River, AB
April 1
North Peace 3 @ Red Deer 3
April 2
Red Deer 2 @ Lloydminster 5
April 3
Red Deer 0 @ Beaumont 1
Vipers do not qualify for semi-final
2011
HJHL Playoffs
Lost to Okotoks in semi-finals 3-1
2012
HJHL Playoffs
Lost to Mountainview in quarter-finals 4-1
2013
HJHL Playoffs
Defeated Blackfalds in div. finals 4-3
Lost to Okotoks in HJHL finals 3-0
Russ Barnes Trophy Provincial Championship - Wainwright, AB
April 4
Red Deer 6 @ Grande Prairie 4
April 5
Cold Lake 5 @ Red Deer 4
April 6
Red Deer 6 @ Wetaskiwin 2
Semi-final
Okotoks 7 @ Red Deer 2
Bronze Medal Game
Cold Lake 5 @ Red Deer 3
2014
HJHL Playoffs
Lost to Three Hills in survivor series 2-1
2015
HJHL Playoffs
Defeated Three Hills in survivor series 2-1
Lost to Blackfalds in div. semi-finals 4-0
2016
HJHL Playoffs
Defeated Ponoka in survivor series 2-0
Lost to Airdrie in div. semi-finals 4-3
Russ Barnes Trophy Provincial Championship - Red Deer, AB
North Peace 3 @ Red Deer 0
Red Deer 4 @ North Edmonton 2
Red Deer 3 @ Killam 2
Semi-final
Red Deer 1 @ Wainwright 3
Bronze Medal Game
Red Deer 2 @ Wetaskiwin 3 2OT