Vipers sign Ontario pair
by Kevin Mitchell – Vernon Morning Star
Aug 15, 2014
Anthony Latina of the Carleton Place Canadians so liked the medical attention he got during the Royal Bank Cup, he’s moving to Vernon.
Rocked by Viper d-man Josh Bryan in the neutral zone in preliminary national Junior A hockey tournament play in May, Latina survived the check and will spend his 20-year-old season with the Vipers.
“He got up and he was in the final (against Yorkton Terriers),” said Viper head coach/GM Jason Williamson, who closed the deal for the 5-foot-10 winger/centre Thursday.
“He’s definitely a top-six forward and is a veteran guy which we needed to add because we are so young,” said Williamson. “He’s played Major Junior and he wants one good last season of Junior hockey.”
Latina, a Scarborough, Ont. product, wore No. 12 in the RBC, earning one goal. He rang up six goals and 15 points in just 10 games with Carleton Place after earning 2-2-4 with the Major Junior Quebec Remparts in 26 games. He added 3-6-9 for the Canadians in the playoffs.
He began his Junior career with the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, who were also in the RBC in Vernon. Latina was a teammate of d-man Luke Shiplo in the 2011-12 season.
Shiplo is also joining the Vipers’ den after being acquired in a deal which saw veteran blueliner Michael Stachuk head to the Battleford North Stars of the Saskatchewan League.
Shiplo, 19, of Oakville, Ont., garnered 1-6-7 with the Lincoln Stars of the U.S. League last season. A left shot, he had 3-7-10 with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL two years ago.
“I watched video of him and he’s a guy who can come in and run the powerplay,” said Williamson. “He’s a good puck mover.”
Williamson said Statchuk requested a move closer to his hometown of Wadena, Sask.