Vipers "prepared" for season opener

The LaSalle Vipers head coach Chad Shepley feels he and his staff have picked a team ready to have a great season.

"Training camp was competitive this year." Shepley said. "We were able to fill some spots up front and on the back end to build what we feel is a deep team."

The Vipers signed forward Angelo Protopapas Monday. He played Jr. C for Innisfil last season and is one of the many players the Vipers have signed. LaSalle also welcomed Spitfire draft picks Michael Lavigne and Adrian Manzo, both defencemen. "They fit in nicely with our big defence group this year." Shepley said. "Our new signings this year are the ones that can have a big impact to our team right from game 1.

The Vipers finished 4th in the GOJHL last season with a 33-15-1-1 record winning six more games than the year before. They were ousted from the playoffs by the eventual Sutherland Cup champion Leamington Flyers.

Shepley feels confident his goaltending tandem of Tre Altiman (2nd year) and Dante Bertolin (Spits U18 draft pick 2023) will be a strong part of the roster. "Our team has a 'win by committee' attitude and we feel our 20 guys in the lineup are ready to win Wednesday night in front of our home crowd."

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