The Vernon Vipers leading scorer is Island-bound after a trade announced Monday (Feb. 10) by the Victoria Grizzlies.
The West Shore-based hockey club snagged 2004-born forward Will Schumacher and BCHL playing rights to 2005-born forward Georgios Stavrianeas as well as future considerations. Ryan Watt, 20, and rookie forward Finn Kallay are headed to Vernon.
The Grizzlies team is adding a proven veteran presence and dangerous offensive option as they attempt to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run, the organization said in a news release.
Schumacher hails from Prior Lake, Minn., where he tore apart the Minnesota High School league playing for Prior Lake High, according to a Grizzlies news release.
He captained the team in 2021-22 and had 23 goals and 55 points in 31 games. Schumacher spent time in the NAHL where he captained the Wisconsin Windigo last year and in 129 games in the NAHL he scored 54 goals and added 118 points. So far this year he has 14 goals and 35 points in 37 games with Vernon, both of which lead the team.
Watt heads to Vernon after 140 games in a Grizzlies jersey from 2022-25. He amassed 22 goals and 52 points in that span and served as an alternate captain for the Grizzlies this year. Kallay is in the midst of his rookie season with the Grizzlies where he has five goals and 10 points in 37 games.
“The Grizzlies organization would like to thank both Ryan and Finn for their contributions, especially Ryan whose passion for the game and dedication to the team did not go unnoticed for three years,” the team release reads.
By trade deadline Feb. 10, the Grizzlies also acquired Max Silver from the Cranbrook Bucks in exchange for future considerations. The 17-year-old forward is committed to Colgate University from California and has a goal and three points in 23 games.
The Grizzlies continued to stay busy late into the afternoon by flipping the playing rights for Georgios Stavrianeas – which they had just acquired from Vernon – to Penticton in exchange for the playing rights to 2005-born defenceman Julian Wasmer. Wasmer is currently playing for Chicoutimi of the QMJHL and is committed to play at Maine University.
The team gears up on the West Shore Saturday (Feb. 15) facing the Powell River Kings. Puck drops at 6 p.m. at The Q Centre in Colwood. Get tickets online at victoriagrizzlies.com.
