Bigos Gets Scholarship:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Thunderbirds welcome Kakoske to UBC By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning StarPublished: July 10, 2008 6:00 PMWhen Ryan Kakoske was first called up to the Vernon Vipers as an 18-year-old affiliate in the 2005-06 season, current captain Chris Crowell remembers wondering whether he would ever fit the mold of a B.C. Hockey League defenceman.After three years of playing alongside Kakoske and witnessing his transformation into a rock-steady blueliner, there’s no doubt in Crowell’s mind.“He’s gone from barely being able to hold his own in junior hockey to becoming our most reliable defenceman,” said Crowell. “It’s not a fluke to see how he progressed, it was through hard work. There’s not a lot of flash, but he’s a strong, shutdown defenceman, and he’s a great guy to play with.”The Vipers started last season with a rookie-laden blueline, and if it weren’t for Kakoske’s veteran presence, opposing teams would have had an easy time picking the Snakes apart.Kakoske’s no-nonsense style grabbed the attention of the UBC Thunderbirds head coach Milan Dragicevic, who offered the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Vernon minor hockey product a scholarship to play with them this fall.“We are happy to add Ryan to our team at UBC,” said Dragicevic. “He will bring character, size and a winning attitude to our team. Anytime you can add a player of Ryan’s stature, it makes your team that much tougher to play against.”Added Crowell: “It’s good to see him get something. With UBC’s hockey program, their academics, the Olympics coming to Vancouver… it’s a good decision.”In 60 games last season, Kakoske fired two goals and supplied 16 helpers with 64 penalty minutes. He recorded 27 points and 132 PIM in 151 BCHL games.He played in all situations and did many little things that often don’t show up on the score sheet. When Crowell had to miss games due to a suspension, Kakoske was the logical choice to wear the ‘C’.Kakoske recently received the Mark Nelson Memorial Award, which is annually presented to a local athlete who shows perseverence and excellence.“Marty Stein (Detroit Red Wings scout) got my name out there for them (UBC) to see,” said Kakoske, who visited the UBC campus in May before reaching his decision last month. “In the end, I felt the quality if hockey was better in the CIS than NCAA Division 3, and there aren’t many schools better than UBC academically.“I’m looking forward to testing myself against the Western (Hockey) League guys.”There’ll be at least one familiar face on the T-Birds’ roster since his cousin, Jordan Inglis of 100 Mile Ranch, will play with UBC. Inglis, who played for Prince George Spruce Kings and Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL, played with the Wayne State University Warriors last season, but their hockey program folded.Kakoske, who will live in residence this fall, plans to start an economics program and then switch into business.Meanwhile, he’s spending the summer working as a landscaper and, as always, putting his time in at the gym. He’ll also be lending his defensive expertise to the next generation of would-be Vipers at Vernon minor hockey’s summer camps.








July 2 2008 at 12:06 PM
This is on the Vipers web site:Bigos gets scholarship by viper staff Added 2008-07-02The Vernon Vipers are pleased to announce that Kyle Bigos has accepted a scholarship to Merrimack College for the 2010-2011 season. The 6'5 defenseman from California improved a lot this season winning the Vipers Most Improved Player award. He will be a huge part of the Vipers defense core for the upcoming two seasons. Merrimack College is located in North Andover, Mass. Just a short drive from downtown Boston. They play out of the storied Hockey East conference. The Vipers would like to congratulate Kyle on this accomplishment. It is well deserved.








July 4 2008, 7:18 PM

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Bigos gets scholarship

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star - July 03, 2008

Vernon Vipers’ defenceman Kyle Bigos has played hockey all over North America. He can add another destination to the list now he’s accepted a scholarship to play with the Merrimack College Warriors for the 2010-2011 season.In 58 B.C. Hockey League games last season, the Upland, Calif. import earned two goals and 15 assists while piling up 152 penalty minutes. As the season progressed, he learned to become an effective enforcer while providing a steady presence on the blueline. Bigos also worked diligently on his foot speed, often staying after practice with the other Viper d-men to take part in extra skating drills. The organization recognized his hard work by naming him Most Improved Player.“He worked hard at it, and he really improved,” said head coach Mark Ferner. “He’s such a big body, and he has a presence on the ice, but he’s also got good hands and vision. That’s not something you would normally see in a player of his size.”Bigos is also paying closer attention to conditioning this season. He struggled a bit coming into last year’s camp at around 250 pounds. With the help of a new off-season conditioning program, Bigos is working towards a six percent body fat index, which would put him at around 225 pounds.“I started cutting weight up there last year, and things became easier,” said Bigos, who turned 19 in May.Before coming to Vernon, Bigos played Midget AAA with the Notre Dame Hounds of Wilcox, Sask., so being away from home is nothing new to the big man. Although, he does admit to missing Mexican food while he’s away.“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” said Bigos. “I’ve been away for a while now, and it’s just another chance to play hockey and get more education.”The Warriors, who play Division 1 NCAA hockey out North Andover, Mass., just a short drive from downtown Boston, finished last in the Hockey East Conference with 6-18-3.“Knowing that it was a small, private Catholic school was a huge plus for me,” said Bigos.Added Ferner: “He had some offers from other schools, but Kyle felt this one was his best option.”With Viper defensive grads Ryan Kakoske and Isaac Smeltzer moving on, Bigos is looking forward to carrying more responsibility on his considerable shoulders. Ferner plans to play him more often and in all situations over the next two seasons.“Smeltzer and Kakoske were huge leaders for us on the backend, and I’m looking forward to stepping into that role this year,” said Bigos. “I’m looking forward to making a big impact on the D this year, and trying to take us to the RBC (Royal Bank Cup),” Bigos will return to Vernon at the end of July, where the Jones twins, Connor and Kellen, Braden Pimm and Rob Short will join him for some additional training before the Vipers’ main camp, which goes Aug. 19.