Many have asked me what my plans are for the future after stepping away from my position with the Vees after four great years in Penticton, and I finally have an answer for those inquiring. I'm moving from the 'Peach City' to 'Canada's Raspberry Capital'.
I have accepted a job with the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL to be their play-by-play broadcaster. I'm thrilled to be working with recently hired CEO & President Ryan Walter - who is an immensely respected leader in hockey and business circles - and the rest of the Heat's enthusiastic staff. I'm looking forward to the enormous opportunity that is working for a professional hockey team, and can't wait to make Abbotsford my new home and the Heat my new focus.
Despite moving away from the Okanagan, with the Canucks' Young Stars Tournament being hosted at the SOEC in mid-September and much of the Heat's prospective roster in attendance, I'll be back in Penticton soon. Also, the Okanagan remains a short drive away, and will always hold a place in my heart, not to mention future vacations and excursions.
Meanwhile, from the land of peaches, beaches, and sun; Fraser Rodgers has been doing a great job taking over my old position and has created a new blog following the Vees called The Three V's. Give it a read.
With the addition of Michael Garteig, Fred Harbinson has added another big part to a squad that's got people talking around junior hockey. I wish the team the best of luck this season and am planning on catching up with the '11-'12 edition of the Vees at points throughout the season. It's promising to be another great season of Vees hockey at the SOEC.
Finally, a thank-you is in order to all the staff, volunteers, fans, season ticket holders, local businesses, and media types who have helped me so much over the past four years. There is no way I would be where I am today without your support and friendship.
It's been a fantastic four years in Penticton. I won't soon forget the amazing times, friendships forged, and the warmth of this fantastic community. There are hundreds of people to whom I owe a debt of gratitude, so I'll be sure to do my best to thank each of you personally not on the interwebs.
While I have yet to determine my next destination, we do know where Fraser Rodgers will be this season... Calling Vees games at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Let's meet the new 'Voice of the Vees', or Pinder 2.0 (the newer and better model, complete with superior moustache skills) as he's starting to be called! We sat down in EZ Rock control today.
Joey LaLeggia's dream week with the Canucks didn't disappoint. After getting a free agent invite to his favorite NHL team's prospect camp, LaLeggia won the team's 3-on-3 tournament and was in the group that climbed Grouse Mountain the fastest. This is what Charlie Sheen calls "Winning".
LaLeggia (right) has some pointers in the gym
Joey joined the Vees:Blog on the phone line yesterday.
For the second year in a row Kyle Mountain was extended an invitation to his hometown Philadelphia Flyers Prospect Camp. Surprisingly paintball and paddle-boarding were part of the festivities.
Mountain's team won the 'tri-thalon' of sorts
We caught up for the skinny on the week that was for the future University of Vermont Catamount forward earlier today.
Add Steven Fogarty to the list of impressive recruits that Fred Harbinson has heading to the Okanagan this Fall.
Drafted in the 3rd round (72nd overall) by the New York Rangers, Fogarty isn't just a part of a suddenly dynamic offensive arsenal in Penticton, he looks to be a major weapon. Fogarty scored 23 goals and added 17 helpers in just 24 games of high school hockey for the Edina Hornets, and was a finalist for the 'Mr. Hockey Award' given annually to the top high school player int he state.
The centre who was born in Pennsylvania, but calls Edina, Minnesota home was last measured 6'2 and 194, meaning the Vees have suddenly gotten bigger upfront, and even deeper at centre. On the dot the Vees already boasted Travis St. Denis (though he played mostly on the wing last season), and Ryan Reilly to attempt to fill the void left up the middle by departing centers Mark MacMillan, Brendan O'Donnell, and Kyle Mountain. Fred Harbinson now has numerous options for his top-six fowards.
With Fogarty, Mario Lucia, and Mike Reilly; the Vees have now committed 3 of the top 4 drafted high-school players from the State of Minnesota, and three of the top 100 draft picks selected. This impressive feat that certainly will have the USHL abuzz as all three players had the option to play in the top American junior league, but chose Penticton of the BCHL.
The Flames, Jets, Oilers and Sharks will join the Canucks prospects for the second annual Young Stars tournament at the SOEC from the 11th to the 15th of September.
Mario Lucia visited Penticton early in June to get a sense of what the city and the team are like. He must have liked what he saw, as he's committed to the Vees for 2011/2012. The Minnesota Wild draft pick (#60 overall), who played at Wayzata was the first high schooler taken in the draft.
Lucia had narrowed down his options for the coming season to the USHL's Des Moines Buccaneers and the Vees. Having his good pals - the Reilly's - coming to Penticton didn't hurt, neither does the fact that the Vees have a huge stable of Minnesota kids who have come to the Okanagan to play hockey including Joey Benik, Chad Bannor, (the aforementioned Reilly trio) and numerous other newcomers.
The Vees are getting one of the top players eligible to be drafted in St. Paul in June. The Hockey News had Lucia rated as the 7th best LW in the draft, and when the Minnesota Wild traded up to #60, he felt he might have been the player they were targeting.
Mario's brother Tony plays in San Jose's system, while his father Don is the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Hockey runs in the family. Welcome aboard Super Mario.
Travis St. Denis is one of those guys. You hate to play against him, you love to have him on your team. St. Denis will now transition from public enemy to fan favorite in the South Okanagan Events Centre after Vees Head Coach and GM Fred Harbinson moved out Mike Betz and Steve Iacobellis to acquire the Trail product.
St. Denis in red at Team Canada West Tryout
Half-pest and full sniper, 'Saint-D' is heading into his 19-year-old season, yet has already compiled 137 points in 149 BCHL games over three superb seasons. Even more impressive is that the Kootenay kid - and younger brother of notorious Kelowna Rocket Kyle St. Denis - happens to be what you would call under-sized at 5'8 & 166 lbs.
St. Denis was a member of Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge last season, and has always played the Vees tough as a member of his home-town Smoke Eaters. St. Denis was part of arguably the most dangerous line in the BCHL last season (when assembled), working with centre Scott Jacklin and fellow trigger-man Sam Mellor - who are both off to College this season.
Speaking of College, St. Denis did entertain thoughts of heading to Quinnipiac to play for the Bobcats this Fall, but another campaign of BCHL seasoning seems to be best for his development. After being shipped to Cowichan Valley from Trail for three players, St. Denis was hesitant to go to the Island, and thus was available for the Vees to acquire.
To land St. Denis, the Vees are saying goodbye to centre Steve Iacobellis who oozed potential during stretches of his rookie season (at 17 years of age), and well traveled Mike Betz who embraced a blue-collar role with the Vees this season, but struggled to create scoring chances consistently.
Iacobellis should thrive in a larger role with the Capitals and another off-season of adding muscle, while Betz's rights were sent to the Markam Waxers (OJHL) for Brandon Tanev, the younger brother of former RIT Tiger and current Vancouver Canuck rear-guard Chris Tanev. Tanev was included in the package for St. Denis. Best of luck to both Steve and Mike who are not just solid hockey players, but great guys off the ice.
One of the most prolific offensive defensemen the BCHL has seen in years (if not decades) has caught the eyes of his favorite NHL team. The Vancouver Canucks have invited Joey LaLeggia to their Prospect Camp in July, much to the delight of the Burnaby product.
LaLeggia recorded 82 points in 58 games this season, equaling Duncan Keith's mark as an 18-year-old (while scoring more goals, and playing fewer games), and is committed to Denver University next season after two years of leading all BCHL blueliners in points.
We grabbed Joey for an interview prior to his afternoon skate today. Needless to say, he's pretty pumped.
Saturday was a big day for incoming Vees defender Mikey Reilly.
The youngest of the three Penticton bound brothers heard his name called in the 4th round where Columbus made him the club's 3rd selection of the 2011 Entry Draft from St. Paul, Minnesota. By the way, Mario Lucia was selected with the 60th pick by the home-town Minnesota Wild... Here's to hoping he'll be joining the Reilly's in Penticton next season.
Mike joined us on the phone line today to recap a great weekend.
