A Yukon hockey player signed the papers to become affiliated with the Vernon Vipers Junior ‘A’ hockey team this week.

Jonas Leas, a 5’10’’ leftie forward has been playing hockey in B.C. since 2013. He currently lives in Vancouver.

“I was pretty excited,” said Leas. “It was good to hear.”

He got his start with the local Mustang hockey program and currently plays for the Valley West Hawks in B.C.’s Major Midget league.

Earlier this year, Leas was a member of the historical silver-medal winning Team North at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

Last year in Midget AAA hockey, Leas played for the North Shore Winter Club. In 44 games, he scored 16 goals and had 28 assists with 38 penalty minutes, according to eliteprospects.com.

As an affiliate player, Leas, who turns 17 at the end of December, can be called up for a maximum of 10 games during his Major Midget team’s regular season. Once his current team’s season is done, he can participate in an unlimited number of games with the Vipers, said Vernon assistant coach Kevin Kraus.

Leas has attended Vipers camps in the past and his work ethic impressed the coaching staff.

“He’s a smaller forward that works really hard,” said Kraus.

“Jonas is a great kid off the ice. He’s got great character.”

The Vipers currently have eight affiliate players that they can call up at any time for games. The affiliates are able to skate during team practices and are usually called up to fill in the roster when there are injured players, or to help change the team chemistry.

Leas continues his season with the Valley West Hawks at home against the Greater Vancouver Canadians on Oct. 23. 

The Hawks remain undefeated this season.