 Second-year forward Vern Cooper is featured in this edition of “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature showcases different Whalers so we can get to know them.
Selected by Plymouth in the 1st round (13th overall) in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, Cooper capped off his rookie season with an OHL Championship. A speedy forward with great hands, he was the second youngest player in the OHL last season. The Waswanipi, Quebec, native, who is a member of the Waswanipi Cree First Nation, took a few minutes after practice to help us break the ice and chat about his family support, adjusting to life away from his reservation, and why he wears #9. » On the best advice he has been given… “Knowing that everyone looks up to me – since my parents always talk about how all the kids look up to me on my reserve – it really motivates me to become a better person and a better hockey player.” » On how he started playing hockey… “I started skating when I was around three since I grew up watching my brothers and started playing when I was about five.” » On his youth hockey highlight… “Winning the All-Ontario’s in Major Atom with my AA team in Sudbury.”  » On the championships he has won…
“I’ve been to the All-Ontario’s a few times, but only succeeded once.” » On his most embarrassing hockey moment… “My midget year, I walked out onto the ice with my skate guards on at the Big Nickel Tournament.” » On who has influenced him in hockey… “My brothers and my mom and dad.” » On his most memorable goal… “My first OHL goal. It was against London (October 14, 2006). It wasn’t very exciting since we were losing 5-1. It was a rebound out in front. (Leo) Jenner took the shot and I put it in the net to score.” » On if he has played with any of the guys before… “I played with Kaine Geldart and his twin brother in summer hockey.” » On his most memorable moment as a Whaler… “Winning the OHL Championship and going to the Memorial Cup.”  » On playing against Sudbury in the finals…
“It was pretty exciting. I had a lot of family and friends that came and it was really great to have them there. They didn’t have to travel far since Sudbury is probably the closest OHL team to them, so it was nice that we played there.” » On getting the championship rings… “They’re really nice. I was really happy to get them along with the other guys. I was pretty excited and told my parents and they’re excited to see it. It’s exciting for everyone.” » On this year's team… “We have a lot of young guys, so the guys from last year have to step up. Jenksy (AJ Jenks) and I have to really step up even though we're still young and show them the way.” » On who he tries to model his game after… “I’d probably say Derek Roy or Martin St. Louis, since they are small and speedy guys.” » On what he should bring to the team… “Speedy guy with a lot of energy and hopefully chipping in a few goals.” » On the toughest player he has played against… “Marc Staal because he’s so big and can move really well for a big guy. He has a long reach, so it’s tough to get around and tough to play against.” » On his family support… “We live in Waswanipi, Quebec, which is about 16 hours away. It shows me that I have a lot of support and they care so much about my career. I’m really happy when my family comes down. It means a lot and I appreciate it.” » On adjusting to Plymouth… “I lived in the city for about 5 years when I was in Sudbury, so it wasn’t much of a difference to come to Plymouth since I had already been away from home. When I first went to Sudbury it was a change. I didn’t really speak English because I would speak my language, so that was difficult to me. I was away from home and that move was more of a culture shock for me than coming to Plymouth.” » On his rookie year adjustments… “I guess I was kind of homesick last year, but I got over it. Knowing that my family would travel the distance to come down and show their support for me meant a lot. It was an adjustment, but I would say I’ve matured a lot.” » On living with with another player… “It’s always better to have a roommate because you always have someone to talk to about the game and stuff. You can just talk about different things and situations and it’s nice to have someone who knows what you’re going through. Army (John Armstrong) helped me out and now I’m trying to help (Tom) Kane out since it’s his rookie year.”  » On if he has any superstitions…
“No.” » On if he has any nicknames… “Coop, just a shortened version of my name.” » On his typical day… “I get up in the morning around 8:30, get showered up, and go to school around a quarter to 9. Vally (Brett Valliquette) picks me up and we go to school, come to practice, and then hang out with the guys afterwards.” » On his pre-game routine… “I usually sleep in until 12, eat pre-game around 2, go back to sleep for a little bit, and then get ready to play.” » On his dream goal… “It would be in the OHL Finals against the London Knights back in 2005 when they had all those great players and set the records. I’d just take a clapper and go cheese (slapshot top shelf).” » On if there is anything behind his jersey number 9… “I grew up wearing #19, but my cousin passed away a few years ago and he was a big hockey fan. I talked to him a lot. He was older, so we weren’t as close, but he was really close to my brothers, so it’s just in memory of him.” » On what he'd be doing if he didn't play hockey… “I’d probably be a chief or something.” » On the craziest thing that has happened on the road… “The fans in Sudbury during the final game were so loud and crazy; we couldn’t hear our names being announced.”  » On what one thing he could not live without…
“Family and friends.” » On his dream vacation… “Somewhere in the south, like Mexico since I’ve never been there.” » On his funniest teammate… “Vally.” » On the person he'd most like to meet… “Sidney Crosby.” » On a rule change he'd make in hockey… ”When you get a penalty for shooting the puck over the glass in your own zone.” » On what other players he would want on the ice with him… “Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby up front because Gretzky’s in the Hall of Fame and Crosby will be. My defensemen would be Bobby Orr and Ray Bourque and goalie would be Martin Brodeur since they’re all really good players.” -Natalie Shaver, October 9th, 2007- -- Other Players' "Breaking the Ice" Features -- | 
