2 Vancouver Giants players land pro contracts

The Vancouver Giants season has come to a close. Although they lost their final game in overtime, there is still a silver lining for two players who have landed pro contracts.

The hockey team ended its playoff run on April 6, losing to the Kamloops Blazers in overtime, landing the team a spot in the league’s top ten.

Despite the disappointment of not winning, there is an up-side for two players who have now signed pro contracts.

Vancouver Giants goalie Jesper Vikman. (Courtesy Vancouver Giants/WHL)

General Manager Barclay Parneta says goalie Jesper Vikman and captain Ty Thorpe are now on new teams.

“Both of them actually debuted, so Jesper in his first debut game, he, unfortunately, suffered a loss 4-2, one was an empty net goal, but I think he played quite well. And Ty has already racked up an assist [in] his first game,” Parneta said.

Vikman joined up with the Giants after he was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights and then came to Vancouver to continue his development.

Thorpe has now signed an ECHL contract with the Washington Capitals.

“They actually were billet brothers, so they actually lived in the same house together for the past two years at the billets house out in Tsawassen. They’re like-minded individuals, they’re both extremely focused and driven, their nutrition, the way they approach the game, they’re both leaders,” he said.

The Vancouver Giants hockey team. (Courtesy Vancouver Giants/WHL)

As for the number of players that make it to the professional level, Parneta says it’s a small one.

“Really, it’s just hard work. At the end of the day it’s a small percentage of kids that will move onto the National Hockey League (NHL), like we’re talking 2 per cent of the players…in the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) that will become regular NHL players. And now mind you, the NHL is populated with primarily CHL hockey players so it’s roughly over 60 per cent of active roster NHL players are from the CHL,” he explained.

Parneta says moving up isn’t just a win for the players, it is also a win for the Vancouver Giants as an organization.

“Ultimately, our goal here is to help prepare players to move on to the next level, which is pro, or staff, for that matter. Whether you’re a coach, or a GM, or a trainer, and I think when you have success with it, it helps your program build for the future because people want to come and be a part of that when you’re recruiting players,” he said.

While the Giants season is done, both Thorpe and Vikman will get more ice time with their new teams.

Plus, the Giants will be back on the ice again in the fall.