The LaSalle Vipers have
reacquired Belle River native Brett Primeau, head coach and general manager Bill Bowler announced today.

by Rob Benneian

Vipers 2014-15 co-winner Rookie of the Year, Brett Primeau is back alongside current Vipers leading scorer Manny Silverio, posting 27 goals and 46 points.

“We hope Brett can build off what he did with our hockey club last year,” Bowler says. “He’s a year older, stronger and more mature.”

The 5’11”, 180 pound right winger was selected to the 2014-15 GOJHL Top Prospects Game and has played three games for the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs, who selected him in the 8th round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

“Brett has a knack for scoring goals, he’s around the net a lot, and that’s something you’re always looking for on hockey teams,” Bowler says. “He enjoys scoring, he seems to put himself in areas to score goals. Brett knows our team, we know him, and we’re excited that he’s back with the Vipers.”

The Windsor Spitfires recently acquired his OHL playing rights from Kingston. He can be recalled by the Spitfires for up to 10 games this season.

“When I got the call saying ‘we’re making another run for it’, it was very exciting,” Primeau says. “I know the guys from last year and we acquired some key guys too, so it’s going to be a lot of fun and very exciting.”

Primeau had previously been playing in the CCHL, a Jr. A hockey league in eastern Ontario, for the Pembroke Lumber Kings. The Vipers reacquired his Jr. B rights from Pembroke.

“(That experience) is going to help me a lot. They were really good leagues, fast paced hockey,” he says. “I’d love to finish strong, get into some games with the Spits and prove to them that I can play at the OHL level, and with the Vipers go all the way to the finals like we did last year.”

In related moves, the Vipers have released forwards Dalton Langlois and James Brooks to the Essex 73’s and Amherstburg Admirals, of the Great Lakes Jr. C Hockey League, respectively.

Primeau is expected to be in the lineup, wearing jersey number 90, when the Vipers take on the St. Marys Lincolns Wednesday night at the Vollmer Centre.