The Vernon Vipers have cleared some roster space ahead of the 2023-24 season by shipping out two veteran forwards to the Langley Rivermen.
On Wednesday the Vipers sent 2004-born forwards Maxim Borovinskiy and Thomas Tien to the Rivermen for future considerations.
Borovinskiy, from West Vancouver, played in 83 regular season games and 14 playoff games across two seasons with the Vipers. Richmond’s Tien suited up for 41 games after being acquired in November of last season.
Borovinskiy finished last season with three goals and six assists in 50 games played, while Tien notched eight goals and 12 assists in 32 games with the Vipers after playing seven games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, where he registered three assists.
“First and foremost Max and Thomas are two great kids and these deals are never easy to make for that reason,” said Vipers head coach and GM Jason McKee. “We needed to make room for some of our younger recruited players coming into the 2023-24 season. This trade allows both Max and Thomas to play close to home to finish out their junior careers in front of friends and family.”
The trade with Langley wasn’t the only transaction the Vipers made this week. On Monday the team announced the signing of forward Luke Buss, who played for the Vipers in the 2021-22 season, when he led the team in points with 16 goals and 20 assists in his rookie campaign.
Buss, from Columbus, Ohio, spent last season in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he put up seven goals and 14 assists in 54 games.
“I’m super excited to be coming back to Vernon for my final year of junior hockey,” said Buss. “I have faith in the staff and players in Vernon and believe we can make a deep playoff run.”
McKee said Buss is a proven veteran presence who he expects to use in all situations.
“He brings an infectious energy not only for himself but everyone around him,” McKee said.
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