The Vernon Vipers kick off 2024 with a doubleheader weekend at home, and a new defenceman in town.

The Snakes host the Cranbrook Bucks tonight (Friday, Jan. 5) at 7 p.m., and wrap up the four-game B.C. Hockey League homestand at Kal Tire Place Saturday at 6 p.m. with a match against the Trail Smoke Eaters.

Newly acquired defenceman Etienne Lessard, 19, makes his Vernon debut. Lessard was acquired from the Cornwall Colts of the Central Canada Hockey League.

害羞草研究所淓tienne is a skilled offensive defenceman that will come in and add a puck-moving dynamic to our back end,害羞草研究所� said Vipers head coach and general manager Jason McKee. 害羞草研究所淥ur staff looks forward to working with Etienne in achieving his long-term goals of becoming a Division 1 college player.害羞草研究所�

Lessard, from Blainville, QC, had six goals and 29 assists in just 22 games with the Colts. He also represented Canada East at the recent World Junior A Challenge, pocketing six points in six games.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 very excited to join the Vernon Vipers,害羞草研究所� said Lessard, five-foot-nine, 168 pounds, and a right-handed shot. 害羞草研究所淚 will give my 100 per cent to help the team win and I can害羞草研究所檛 wait to get started.害羞草研究所�

The Vipers (17-11-1) enter the weekend in fourth place in the Interior Conference, five points back of the third-place Salmon Arm Silverbacks, and three points up on fifth-place Trail (13-11-6). Cranbrook (13-17-1) is sixth with 27 points.