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Ex-Viper Meek signs with Michigan Tech

Former Vernon Viper defenceman Mitch Meek has committed with the NCAA Division 1 Michigan Tech Huskies for next fall.
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Mitch Meek

Black Press Sports

Former Vernon Viper defenceman Mitch Meek has committed with the NCAA Division 1 Michigan Tech Huskies for next fall.

Meek, an alternate captain with the Penticton Vees, is the 14th player on the Vees’ roster wth a NCAA Division 1 scholarship.

The Victoria product will face future Huskie teammate Jagger Williamson and the Vernon Vipers tonight in B.C. Hockey League play at Kal Tire Place (7 p.m.). Viper d-man Cooper Watson also has a schollie with Michigan Tech, but is injured and may not play versus the No. 5-nationally ranked Vees.

Meek is in his fifth and final season of junior hockey but his first with the 13-2 Vees. Through 15 games, the he has a goal and eight points.

“It feels great to have reached a goal of mine after all the work I put into my offseason and I’m excited to go to a program with a great history,” said Meek. “I’m going to have a good opportunity to step in and play right away next year and I can’t wait.”

Meek hit the 200-game milestone earlier this season and has split his time in the BCHL between Penticton, Cowichan Valley, Vernon and Victoria.  He has collected 16 goals and 80 points and 174 penalty minutes in 208 regular-season games. He also has appeared in 38 Fred Page Cup playoff games and went to the league final and RBC Cup in 2014 with Vernon.

Meek was acquired from the Cowichan Valley Capitals this summer in an off-season trade. He was traded by the Vipers to the West Kelowna Warriors a year ago for d-man Mac Ferner. The Warriors immediately dealt Meek to the Prince George Kings.

Michigan Tech University is located in Houghton, Mich. and plays in the 10-team Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA).

Watson and fellow d-man Connor Clouston are on the Vipers’ injured reserve list but head coach/GM Mark Ferner expects one of them to play against the Vees. The Vipers entertain the Merritt Centennials Saturday at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, Vernon product Cole Woodliffe scored the shootout winner Wednesday night as the Weyburn Red Wings edged the host La Ronge Ice Wolves 5-4 in Saskatchewan Junior League play before 400 fans at Mel Hegland Arena.

Woodliffe, a 19-year-old centre, leads the Red Wings with eight goals and 15 points, putting him 15th in the 12-team league. It was his second shootout winner in October.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder is in his second season in Weyburn. The 11-5-0-1 Wings share first place in the Viterra Division with the Estevan Bruins.