Vigier Commits to USHL

I guess you could call it one of those good news/bad news things if you're the Swan Valley Stampeders.

Good, because you advance a great player to another level, which is always a great recruiting tool.

Bad, because you lose your top scorer from a year ago, a guy who in all likelihood would have put up 100+ points in 2008-09.

Stephan Vigier is now OFFICIALLY joining the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers in the fall, ending his time as a Swan Valley Stampeder after one (very productive) season.

Steph took my call at his Notre Dame, MB home today (THU).

CS: Steph, I think a lot of people have known or have had a good feeling about what you're doing this fall, but now for sure it looks like you're off to Sioux City in the USHL?

Steph Vigier: Yeah, I just got my VISA worked out and talked to the coach, and everything's good to go so I'll be heading down there the start of September.

CS: I talked to you before you left for camp, and on the phone off the record after camp, and it sounded like you had a slow start but came on strong and are now the last import remaining after cuts.

SV: Yeah I had a slow start in camp for sure. But towards the end, the last few games I started getting goals, a few points. For imports I believe there were 5 or 6 in camp, and by the end there was me and a kid from the Netherlands, but they ended up sending him back so as of right now I'm the only import.

CS: And they can have 2 right?

SV: Yeah, USHL teams can have 2 non-Americans, so I guess there's a chance another one could come in, you never know.

CS: Was this a slam dunk decision? As soon as you made the team were there any thoughts of turning them down and returning to Swan, of was this a situation where you had to take the opportunity when it came?

SV: Obviously it'd be nice to be back in Swan, Sioux City's a little further from home, but at the same time it's a great league, tons of guys get scholarships, there's NHL draft picks and whatnot. Overall it's just a great league and from the beginning I pretty well figured I'd be sticking there if I made the team.

CS: And I know you've already been checking out some schools, can you talk about where that's been?

SV: I've been in contact with a few college teams and I've kind of narrowed it down to a few. Recently I was down in Northern Michigan. My cousin played there and ended up signing pro (J.P. Vigier played 4 years at NMU before signing with the Atlanta Thrashers), so there's a connection there, and I've been talking to Bemidji a little bit, so there's a couple options out there and we'll just wait and see what happens.

CS: You said your #1 goal is to make pro after school, and we just saw Sean Collins, hasn't even gone to school yet and just got drafted by Columbus. Does that show you can come from Manitoba, from a small market team and eventually get to where you want to go?

SV: For sure. I know (Collins) a little bit, and if he can do it and other guys can do it, as long as I keep working hard I think I can too.

CS: Talk about your time in Swan, I know it was just one year, but obviously it was a great building block for your career, you got over 80 points, made the All-Star team, won MJHL Rookie of the Year, so I'm sure there are a lot of great memories.

SV: Yeah definitely, playing in Swan was great. We struggled a bit off the start, but Guy made some trades and by the end we had a heck of a team. Obviously playoffs against Portage, that was a huge series, it was great for the team. Guy was great, he gave me every opportunity to excel. Yeah, it's going to be tough to leave that place, but at the same time, I'm going to a great place in Sioux City, it's going to be good.

CS: I lost my voice for about a week in the playoffs and I blamed it all on you because of that short-handed breakaway goal in overtime in Game 1 in Portage, then you get another one in overtime in Game 6 to force a Game 7. I'm sure as far as personal memories go, that's right up there.

SV: Yeah for sure. Scoring an overtime winner's always huge. They go a long way, I'm probably never going to forget that, especially Game 6 at home, the fans were going crazy, it was a great time.

CS: You played with Chris Reimer with the Stamps and in "AAA" Midget in Pembina Valley. Is he one of the guys you're least looking forward to leaving?

SV: Yeah, I grew up playing against "Arnie", and ended up living with him in Swan and playing on the same line. He's a great guy, we keep in touch. Yeah, it's going to be tough leaving stuff like that but at some point you just have to leave and it came a bit early for me I guess.

CS: I'm sure you'll be one of their biggest supporters, keeping tabs on-line and whatnot?

SV: Definitely. I'm going to keep in touch with some or most of the guys for sure. I'll be checking the stats and standings for sure. They'll have a good team, Myles Stevens I think will be top five in league scoring, (Reimer) will put up more points, Darcy Riddell will probably be second line centre and get a chance on the powerplay, they'll be good.

CS: And again, when do you head to Sioux City and what's the time table look like once you get there.

SV: We have a team meeting September 7th. The coach recommended we get there a few days or a week in advance. We've got a couple exhibition games in mid-September, and we host a pre-season tournament, kind of like a Showcase in late September, a lot of college scouts come watch so it's a pretty big deal. Then in October the regular season starts.

CS: Well Steph it was certainly fun to watch you last season, and best of luck to you down south.

SV: Thanks a lot.
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In 60 games in 2007-08, Vigier had 37-49-86, as well as 3-6-9 in 6 playoff games. (He missed Game 3 due to sickness). Two of those 3 goals were overtime winners (Games 1 and 6)