Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers are pleased to announce that defenceman Etienne Lessard has committed to Union College for the 2025-2026 season.
“Etienne took a risk coming to a bit of the unknown with a different team and a league and it has worked out very well for both sides,” says Head Coach and GM of the Vipers Jason McKee. “He has brought a dynamic to our team that we didn’t have before his arrival and we’re extremely happy we were able to help him in his journey to college hockey. We look forward to rounding out Etienne’s game over the next year and a half to have him ready to step in and compete at the college level.”
Lessard, from Blainville, Quebec, has one goal in five games with the Vipers and plays a ton of big minutes on the Viper blueline.
“I’m very excited and honoured to have the opportunity to play for Union,” says Lessard. “I would like to thank everyone that helped me and supported me. Playing here in Vernon will prepare me for that next step and bring my game to the next level.”
Union College rebranded to the Garnet Chargers this season. They are a NCAA Division 1 program that plays out of the Frank L. Messa Rink at Achilles Center in Schenectady, New York. They won a NCAA championship back in 2014. The most recent notable Viper to have played with that program was goaltender Darion Hanson.
Please join us in congratulating Etienne and his family on this accomplishment.
