After a one years leave of absence the franchise adopted a new name, the Vernon Lakers, for the 1980-81 season. They kept that name till the end of 1994-95 season.

Hank Aarsen Sr., (Vern Dye?), Sheldon Bloomer, Ray Williment Sr.

The previous Vernon Canadians ownership group continued with the new 'Vernon Lakers Junior 'A' Team in the 1980-81 season.

Hank Aarsen Sr. would be the General Manager. Coaching the 1980-81 team were Russ Newton who was replaced sometime during the season by Gary Criss with a combined record of R.S. 56GP-8W-48L-0T

For the first time since 1978, and only the second time for the franchise, the team did not make the playoffs.

From Rays Obituary...Ray Williment had been actively involved in Vernon Minor Hockey culminating in his ownership of the Vernon Lakers Junior 'A' Team in the 1981-82 season.

The 1981-82 Coach was Gord MacBeth(1981-82), R.S. 47GP-10W-36L-1T and for the second year in-a-row the team did not make the playoffs. Up until this point in time, this was the only instance of the franchise failing to make the playoffs in two consecutive years.

The next year Vern Dye would be appointed General Manager who found a new Coach in Murray Lawrence(1982-83), R.S. 56GP-35W-20L-1T -- P.O. 7GP-3W-4L

The team was sold following the playoffs to Carl & Ivy Ememark and Bud Russel.

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Carl & Ivy Enemark & Bud Russell

Carl Enemark of Enemark & Campbell Realty along with his wife Ivy & Bud Russell (he is named co-owner in the 1983-84 program but, not in the 1984-85 program) purchase the Lakers from Ray Williment and Group after the 1981-82 season.

Bud Russell was co-owner, secretary and treasurer. The General Manager was former Trainer Wayne Sorrci.

The first Coach for the new owners was Chuck Tapp(1983-84), R.S. 3GP-2W-1L-0T, who was replaced very quickly with a former player and son of one of the owners, Mike Enemark(1983-84), R.S. 57GP-43W-14L-0T -- P.O. 6GP-2W-4L.

The next season '84-'85 saw Wayne Sorci again as GM but, was replaced with Vern Dye, at some point. Two Coaches were again employed for this season as, Mike Enemark(1984-85), R.S. 22GP-10W-10L-1T, stepped down citing to much pressure involved in coaching but, remained as consultant to Don Moores(1984-85), R.S. 29GP-18W-11L-1T -- P.O. 7GP-3W-4L.

For the '85-'86 season Vern Dye remained as General Manager and Coaching the team would remain in the hands of Don Moores(1985-86), R.S. 52GP-28W-21L-3T -- P.O. 7GP-3W-4L

Enemark would sell the Vernon Lakers to Mel Lis after the 1985-86 season.

After being involved with the franchise, during it's three different decades of excistence, Vern Dye would no longer be a part of it. If it were not for Vern Dye, I beleive, this team would not have lasted to this point in time. He put his heart, soul and money into the club to keep it going, Thanks Vern!!!
BURNABY, BC - February 11th, 2009 - British Columbia Hockey League founder Vern Dye will be recognized for his many years of service to Junior A hockey in British Columbia by having the league's Most Valuable Player trophy named in his honour. Article can be found here .

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Mel Lis

Mel Lis of Lis Equipment Rental Ltd., purchased the Lakers from the Enemarks and Bud Russell after the 1985-86 season.

Mel Lis would take on the role of Owner, President and General Manager for the next seven years.

It was this edition of the franchise, with Mel Lis at the helm, that started what was to become a dominate player in junior 'A' hockey, in the league, regional and national levels.

For the first three plus seasons Mel Lis would have as his Coach Ernie Gare(1986-89), R.S. 164GP-115W-46L-3T -- P.O. 34GP-24W-10L

In his first season Ernie Gare(1986-87), R.S. 52GP-33W-17L-2T -- P.O. 10GP-6W-4L, managed to get the team to the league semifinals. In his second year Ernie Gare(1987-88), R.S. 52GP-42W-10L-0T -- P.O. 19GP-14W-5L, won a League championship and Provincial championship. For his third year Ernie Gare(1988-89), R.S. 60GP-40W-19L-1T -- P.O. 31GP-22W-9L, lead the team to a League, Provincial , BC v AB and Western Canadian championship for a berth in the 1989 National Tournament.

Ernie Gare would be replaced shortly before the Vernon Lakers were to host the 1990 National Tournament. Former NHLer Eddie Johnstone was his replacement, combined the two coaches had a regular season(1989-90), that year of, R.S. 58GP-33W-20L-5T.

Eddie Johnston(1989-90), P.O. 19GP-12W-7L, would go on to finish the season. As hosts, of the National Tournament, the Vernon Lakers captured their first national title with a come-from-behind win in overtime.

Another National Championship was aquired by Eddie Johnston(1990-91), R.S. 58GP-33W-20L-5T -- P.O. 19GP-12W-7L, and his Vernon Lakers in 1991.

Repeating what he accomplished the previous season Eddie Johnston(1991-92), R.S. 60GP-34W-23L-3T -- P.O. 31GP-22W-9L, he came up just short of his third National Title. He ended his career as Coach of the Lakers after the 1991-92 season.

The Vernon Lakers accomplishment of four consecutive National Tournament appearances (1989, 1990, 1991, & 1992) remains a Canadian Junior "A" Hockey record to this day.

With two National Championship rings, banners and trophies to call his own Mel Lis would sell the club to Duncan Wray in 1992.

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Duncan Wray

Dr. James Duncan Wray an oral and maxillofacial surgeon bought the team from Mel Lis after the 1991-92 season.

Duncan Wray would hire a sports journalist as General Manager in his first year of ownership named Al Paterson. Al Paterson would get a coach that would stay with the Lakers for the next three seasons, Rob Bremner(1992-95), R.S. 180GP-94W-84L-0T -- P.O. 25GP-10W-13L. Rob Bremner would replace Al Paterson as General Manager during his first season with the club.

During his three year tenur with the Lakers GM/Coach Rob Bremner made the playoffs each season.

By the end of the 1994-95 season the Vernon Lakers brought the franchise from the negative side to the positive side of the wins versus losses column. They achieved this with both the regular season and playoffs statistics.

1995 was the last season as the Vernon Lakers because, Duncan Wray would rebrand the club as the Vernon Vipers for the 1995-96 season.

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In its 14 years (1980-81 to 1982-83 and 1984-85 to 1994-95), as the Lakers, the franchise has achieved the following highlights:

• 1 - League Pennant
• 1988
• 5 - Interior Division Pennants
• 1988 1989 1990 1991
• 5 - Interior Division Championships
• 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
• 4 - Nat Bailey Cups - League Championships
• 1988 1989 1991 1992
• Runners-up: 1990
• 4 - Mowat Cups - BC Championship
• 1988 1989 1991 1992
• 3 - Doyle Cups - BC vs AB Championship
• 1989 1991 1992
• Runners up: 1988
• 3 - Abbott Cups - Western Canadian Championship
• 1989 1991 1992
• 2 - Centennial Cups - National Championship
• 1990 1991
• Semi-Finalist: 1992
  Appearance: 1989

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