The number two-rated team in the Canadian Junior A Hockey League has added another familiar speedster to their ultra-talented forward crop.
Sahir Gill, a 17-year-old roadrunner who helped the Vernon Vipers win the Royal Bank Cup last year before bolting for the USHL's Chicago Steel, was back at Wesbild Centre Monday afternoon wearing a yellow practice jersey along with former linemates Connor and Kellen Jones.
The Vipers completed a cash deal with the Steel late Sunday afternoon to re-acquire Gill, who rackded up 18 goals and 39 points as a BCHL rookie, and added 17 points in the playoffs. Last week, the Vipers signed three-year WHL veteran and one-time Viper David Robinson after he left the Chilliwack Bruins.
“It was great, guys were really understanding,” said Gill, who drove up from his family home in Penticton to re-join the Vipers’ den. “Obviously, it’s a different situation. I’ve kind of made my way around the room a little bit and kind of talked to the guys. I’ll probably talk to them as a group at some point, and kind of explain things.”
Gill was the third-leading scorer in Chicago, with eight goals and 26 points in 26 games. He and the Jones twins posted 54 points in 17 playoff games last season.
“It’s a bit of relief,” said Gill, who got his familiar No. 17 jersey back. “It’s a last-minute kind of thing and obviously, it’s great to be back. It’s a great city, a great team and I’m lucky enough to get a second chance here, and I’m hoping to take advantage of that.”
Connor Jones said the Vipers have no hard feelings toward Gill, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound winger.
“We’ve welcomed him back to the team as one of our own,” said Jones. “He makes our team way better and everybody knows that. He made a mistake. He thought it would be better for him (in Chicago) and it didn’t work out, and I think we’re all pretty understanding about it.”
Viper head coach/GM Mark Ferner said the team has put Gill’s decision to leave Vernon behind them.
“I had a good talk with him and told him that people make mistakes,” said Ferner. “He was 16 years old and it probably wasn’t all his decision. We’re bringing back what we feel is a pretty good player. I told him `you need to go in there and regain the trust of your teammates.'”
