Roger retires:Thank you Roger

Roger Legault

Roger coached the Legal Vipers for three years and led them to the play-off for each of those three years. Under his leadership, the Vipers have continually improved year after year. In their first year in the league, the Vipers reached the play-off but were unable to go beyond the first round. For the second year the team was much more challenging and threathening but again failed to go beyond the first round of the play-off. That year Roger and his assistent Ray DeChamplain were recognized as coaches of the year.

Roger is a tireless, determined and persistent worker and rightfully so, he expected his players to be the same. He is a strong motivator who leads by example. His tenacious approach to the task, and his relentless dedication reflected on his players and produced very positive results.

Roger has been involved in hockey for a long time. At first as a coach in the minor ranks and later as a scout for the Bonnyville Pontiacs along with a short stint with New Mexico. Roger coached the Westlock Bantam when his son Shawn was playing there and won provincials once, during that period. He is a man of hockey who knows the game well and he taught it with savvy. Roger announced his retirement from hockey last month and even though the Vipers and the vipers organization will miss him immensely, everyone is please to see that Roger will now have more time for himself but most importantly for his children and grand children who are so dear to him. Roger we thank you and best of luck!

Ray deChamplain

Ray, like Roger has been involved with hockey for a long time. As a kid he went through all the minor ranks and proved to be an excellent player. As a father, he went through the same process all over again but this time as a coach. He presently has two sons playing for the Vipers and again he is behind the bench in a coaching capacity.

Ray is a calm individual who plays a very essential role in the club. He has a remarquable ability to appease and simmer down tempers when things get rough on the ice and keep things under control. He is a very supportive person and always find a way to encourage his players. He loves hockey, reads the game very well and can bring forth the necessary adjustments when needed.

Ray is taking over the reigns this year as head coach of the Vipers but coaching is not new to him. As mentioned above, he coached minor hockey for many years and has also shown his abilities as a coach with the Vipers over the last three years as well.

Ray's assitent this year is his brother Yvon. Yvon is another hockey man who doesn't need a long introduction in this community. Like his brother Ray he has hockey in his blood and played a lot of hockey in the area. More on him later. Good luck Ray.

Yvon DeChamplain

Yvon DeChamplain is well known in this community even though he played most of his hockey away from Legal. While playing hockey Yvon pursued his education and was granted a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Calgary in 1987. From 1979 to 1982 Yvon played for the Barrhead Junior Elks and won the Alberta Provincial and League Championship in 1979. In 1982 he won the leading scorer honours and was selected as the team MVP.

From 1982 to 1984 Yvon attended the Camrose Lutheran College and built up impressive hockey stats for himself while performing for the Vikings. You be the judge:

Stats for Yvon-Camrose Lutheran College Vikings 1982 to 1984

ACAC Second Team All-Star - 1983
ACAC First Team All-Star and Team MVP, 1984
ACAC Scoring Champion 1984
Male Athlete of the Year, CLC 1984.

Following his stay in Camrose Yvon attended the University of Calgary where his hockey prowess continued.

University of Calgary Dinosaurs 1984 -1987

And it goes on ...

Shellbrook Senior Elks - Saskatchewan Provincial Champions 1989
Lloydminster Border Kings Senior Hockey Team 1992 to 1996
Saskatchewan Senior AAA Provincial Champions 1996

Coaching Career:

Minor Hockey Coach for over 20 years in Lloydminster, Alberta, Regina, Saskatchewan and Ottawa, Ontario.

George Prefontaine

George is a very important cog in the larger Viper wheel. In all well structured organizations there is always someone who sits in the shade, goes unnoticed by the general public but performs very essential tasks for the overall well being of the organization. George is one of those. Sure you see him on the ice ever so often, to make a presentation, or presiding at some Vipers' social event but that is only part of George's involvement. Firstly George shows up to most of the Vipers' games at home and away and stays right on top of things. He is the Vipers' unsurpassed promoter of the hockey club both at the team and executive levels. Secondly, George maintains close contact with the players, the coaching staff and whoever else is involved with the Vipers' organization offering advice or suggestions. He is a very active member of the Vipers' executive and has served as President and General Manager of the Vipers since their inception in the league 3 years ago.

George played very litte hockey in his younger days but his love of hockey is very clearly reflected in his work with the Vipers Hockey Team today. Thanks George for a job well done.

Shawn Machiskimic

Shawn was born in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, the youngest of a family of eight children. Shawn came to Legal to start pre-school and continued on to grade nine. Following grade nine Shawn attended High School in MCHS where he graduated two years ago.

Shawn became involved with the Vipers right from the outset thanks to Roger Legault who extended him an invitation to become equipment manager. Shawn is a very likeable young man and the Vipers organization is pleased to have him in the group.

Shawn,other than being a hockey man, is also a very proud fireman on the Legal Fire Departement. But as active as he may be with the L.F.D., he does find time to follow his beloved Rough Riders and cheer them on to yet (he hopes) another Grey Cup. Wishful thinking Shawn!!