Vipers bring size and scoring with new forward Roman Lavery
The Vernon Vipers have bolstered their roster for the 2026-27 BCHL season, announcing four new players this past week: a forward, a goalie and two defencemen. The headline signing is Roman Lavery, a 2008-born forward from Nanaimo who arrives after a standout season with Pacific Coast Academy U18 Prep.
Lavery was a dominant offensive presence at the U18 level, finishing with 32 goals and 29 assists for 61 points in 30 games. He also brings early junior experience as an affiliate player with the Oceanside Generals of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, where he played six games over the past two seasons and recorded three goals and two assists while still only 16 and 17 years old.
“Roman thrives below the dots and in the low slot, where he’s willing to go to the difficult areas to create offence,”
“He uses his size extremely well to lean on defenders, absorb contact and continue making plays in heavy traffic,”
Those observations come from Vipers head coach and general manager Matt Cooke, who emphasised Lavery’s blend of finishing ability, physical play and potential to influence pace and create space for teammates. The club lists Lavery at 6-foot-1 and 193 pounds, attributes Cooke says the Vipers expect to leverage around the net and in the corners.
New defencemen and goaltender add depth
Alongside Lavery, the Vipers announced two defencemen and a goaltender. One of the incoming blueliners is Ryan Fairbairn, a 2007-born defenceman from Minesing, Ontario. Fairbairn spent the previous season splitting time between the King Rebellion and the Haliburton County Huskies of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, where he put together a productive campaign from the blue line.
The club has not released full statistical details for the remaining acquisitions in its announcement, but the signings indicate a push to add both size and experience to the roster as the team looks to remain competitive in the British Columbia Hockey League.
- Roman Lavery — forward, Nanaimo; major junior/junior affiliate experience; 61 points in 30 U18 games.
- Ryan Fairbairn — defenceman, Minesing, Ont.; OJHL experience with King Rebellion and Haliburton County Huskies.
- Plus one goaltender and another defenceman announced as part of the four-player group.
What the moves mean for Vernon hockey
The Vipers’ additions align with a common BCHL approach: pairing skill and size while giving young prospects a chance to develop in a city where junior hockey is a central piece of the local sporting landscape. For Vernon, the team’s recruiting matters beyond the rink — it influences ticket sales, community engagement and the development pipeline for players in the Okanagan.
In his public comments, Lavery expressed eagerness to join the club and integrate into the community:
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Vernon, meeting my teammates and coaches, and getting to know the community and the fans,”he said, adding he is excited to continue developing his game and help the team succeed.
For fans and families in Vernon, the coming season will be a chance to see how these newcomers adjust to BCHL play and to the city’s passionate junior-hockey environment. The Vipers’ roster construction suggests management values players who can handle physical play and create in traffic — traits that often translate well in the league’s fast-paced style.
| Player | Position | Origin | Notable stats/details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Lavery | Forward | Nanaimo | 32 G, 29 A, 61 Pts in 30 U18 games; 6'1", 193 lb; 3 G, 2 A in 6 VIJHL games |
| Ryan Fairbairn | Defence | Minesing, Ont. | Split season between King Rebellion and Haliburton County Huskies (OJHL); described as productive from the blue line |
As training camps approach and preseason dates are announced, Vernon supporters will be watching how quickly the new players adapt to coach Cooke’s system and the physical demands of the BCHL schedule. The Vipers have a history of building rosters that mix local involvement and competitive aspirations — the newest signings will be measured by both on-ice results and community connection.
Further details on the club’s full roster, camp roster and schedule are expected from the Vipers in the coming weeks.
