vees:blog

Highlights from the NCAA this weekend include:

Steve Cameron posting a three point game for the Mercyhurst Lakers in a 6-4 win over the Bentley Falcolns on Saturday.

Austin Smith potted a pair on Saturday and had a four point weekend to take over the team lead in scoring as the Colgate Raiders tied the Army Black Knights and beat the Ferris State Bulldogs.

Also, it appears Curtis McKenzie hasn’t forgotten how to play the body since his graduation from the BCHL.

Brennan Barker D (SR, Alabama-Huntsville) - 8GP 0-3-3 8PIM

Anthony Borelli G (FR, Brown) - Has Not Played

Steve Cameron F (JR, Mercyhurst) - 8GP 4-3-7 4PIM

Cody Collins F (SR, Mercyhurst) - 8GP 1-2-3 0PIM

Deron Cousens D (JR, Michigan Tech) - 6GP 1-1-2 6PIM

Zac Dalpe F (SO, Ohio State) - 7GP 2-4-6 0PIM

Alex Evin G (SO, Colgate) - 4GP (1-1-2) 2.92 .896

Brett Hextall F (SO, North Dakota) - 6GP 2-0-2 18PIM

Tanner House F (JR, Maine) - 3GP 2-0-2 2PIM

Zack Josepher D (FR, Michigan State) - 7GP 2-2-4 4PIM

Devon Krogh D (FR, Ohio State) - 6GP 0-2-2 0PIM

Eric Kroshus F (SO, Harvard) - Has Not Played

Justin Krueger D (SR, Cornell) - 1GP 0-0-0 0PIM

Brian Lebler F (SR, Michigan) - 6GP 1-3-4 8PIM

Alex MacLeod F (SO, Michigan Tech) - 6GP 2-2-4 4PIM

Bryant Molle D (JR, Alaska-Fairbanks) - 6GP 0-1-1 2PIM

Curtis McKenzie F (FR, Miami-Ohio) - 6GP 2-3-5 12PIM

Cory Milan G (JR, Union) - 6GP (3-2-1) 2.57 .907

TJ Miller D (SR, Northern Michigan) - 4GP 0-0-0 2PIM

Trevor Nill F (SO, Michigan State) - 6GP 0-0-0 8PIM

Bryan Mountain G (FR, Northeastern) - Has Not Played

Kaare Odegard D (FR, Alaska-Fairbanks) - 5GP 0-1-1 2PIM

Travis Ouellette F (FR, Ferris State) - 5GP 2-0-2 2PIM

Cory Schneider F (SO, Ohio State)- 7GP 0-2-2 0PIM

Austin Smith F (SO, Colgate) - 7GP 4-3-7 8PIM

Evan Trupp F (JR, North Dakota) - 6GP 1-4-5 2PIM

Brent Vandenberg F (FR, Niagara) - 5GP 1-1-2 2PIM

Weekend NCAA highlights include Cory Schneider posting his first two-point NCAA game for Ohio State, Maine captain Tanner House notching a pair in his first weekend back from injury, Steve Cameron and Cody Collins leading Mercyhurst to a pair of wins, and a monster 3-point game from Alex MacLeod for Michigan Tech.

Tanner House crashes the net for the Maine Black Bears

Brennan Barker D (SR, Alabama-Huntsville) - 6GP 0-2-2 6PIM

Anthony Borelli G (FR, Brown) - Season Not Underway

Steve Cameron F (JR, Mercyhurst) - 6GP 3-1-4 2PIM

Cody Collins F (SR, Mercyhurst) - 6GP 1-1-2 0PIM

Deron Cousens D (JR, Michigan Tech) - 4GP 1-1-2 6PIM

Zac Dalpe F (SO, Ohio State) - 5GP 1-3-4 0PIM

Alex Evin G (SO, Colgate) - 3GP (1-1-1) 2.64 .911

Brett Hextall F (SO, North Dakota) - 6GP 2-0-2 18PIM

Tanner House F (JR, Maine) - 2GP 2-0-2 2PIM

Zack Josepher D (FR, Michigan State) - 6GP 2-2-4 2PIM

Devon Krogh D (FR, Ohio State) - 4GP 0-1-1 0PIM

Eric Kroshus F (SO, Harvard) - Season Not Underway

Justin Krueger D (SR, Cornell) - Season Not Underway

Brian Lebler F (SR, Michigan) - 4GP 1-1-2 6PIM

Alex MacLeod F (SO, Michigan Tech) - 4GP 1-2-3 2PIM

Bryant Molle D (JR, Alaska-Fairbanks) - 4GP 0-1-1 2PIM

Curtis McKenzie F (FR, Miami-Ohio) - 6GP 2-3-5 12PIM

Cory Milan G (JR, Union) - 5GP (3-1-1) 2.29 .920

TJ Miller D (SR, Northern Michigan) - 4GP 0-0-0 2PIM

Trevor Nill F (SO, Michigan State) - 5GP 0-0-0 8PIM

Bryan Mountain G (FR, Northeastern) - NO STARTS

Kaare Odegard D (FR, Alaska-Fairbanks) - 3GP 0-1-1 2PIM

Travis Ouellette F (FR, Ferris State) - 5GP 2-0-2 2PIM

Cory Schneider F (SO, Ohio State)- 5GP 0-2-2 0PIM

Austin Smith F (SO, Colgate) - 5GP 2-1-3 4PIM

Evan Trupp F (JR, North Dakota) - 6GP 1-4-5 2PIM

Brent Vandenberg F (FR, Niagara) - 3GP 1-0-1 2PIM

TOP LINE TERRIFIC

Another game, another 6 points from the top line of the Penticton Vees. The Vees top unit has piled up 19 points in the teams last three games and have combined for 34 goals and 55 assists this season through 16 games played (Holy Toledo!). Manderson leads the league in scoring, Bennett sits in third spot, and despite missing three games (suspension for a line brawl, and WJAC evaluation camp) Garrett Milan sits in 17th spot in league scoring (he’s 7th in points per game).

STIFLING DEFENSE

The Vees have been particularly scrooge-like in the month of October. While the club has been filling the net all season, the goals against have plummeted since the turn of the calendar. in seven games in October the Vees have allowed just seven goals. The goal against totals since their 5-4 loss in Merritt in late September: 2, 0 , 1, 2 (OT), 1, 1, 0. That’s airtight defense. Sean Bonar has been especially dialed in as he has allowed just four goals in his last five games, two of which were shutouts.

CLIPPERS VS. VEES

Bill Bestwick’s presence behind the bench for the Clippers is not a given tonight in Nanaimo. The long time GM & Head Coach was less than impressed with the officials in last night’s OT loss to his former assistant Nolan Graham’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs, and threw a waterbottle in an officials direction after the game winner was scored last night. The Clippers were issued a Game Misconduct at the conclusion of the match and Bestwick could be suspended. The Vees early successes aren’t lost on Coach Bestwick as the Nanaimo Bulletin discovered.

“We know they’re real good, we know they’re real deep, we know they’re real skilled… They have excellent puck possession and puck management.”

~ Bill Bestwick

MIDGET GIANTS

The Penticton Vees have in recent years been the Junior home some of the top talent to emerge from the Vancouver Major Midget Giants program. Burnaby Now takes a look at the recent captains of the oxymoronic lower mainland club (how can a Midget be a Giant?!) and their hockey futures.

NANAIMO MEMORIES

The last time the Vees were in Nanaimo, they hoisted the 2008 Fred Page Cup after a clean four game sweep of the Clippers. Just Denver Manderson remains from that championship roster. Fred Harbinson (Head Coach), David Small (Assistant Coach), Murray Maxwell (Asst. Equipment Manager), Al Formo (Broadcaster) , Tom Jones (Bus Driver) and I were there too. It’s incredible how quickly BCHLers move on.

Here’s a look at where the players that comprised that championship club of 2008 are today:

GOALIES:

ALEX EVIN - The Castlegar product is making a push for the starting job with the COLGATE RAIDERS (NCAA - ECAC) as a Sophomore, though a 5-3 loss last night won’t help the cause.

BRYAN MOUNTAIN - An accomplished martial artist, Mountain’s intense focus earned him a spot on the NORTHEASTERN HUSKIES (NCAA - HOCKEY EAST) roster after posting some impressive numbers in the MJHL last season. Mountain is yet step on the ice for the Huskies.

DEFENSE:

JAMES BETTAUER - A raw 16-year-old defender, ‘Bettsy’ didn’t play much in the post-season for the Vees, and elected to play in the WHL with the CHILLIWACK BRUINS (CHL - WHL) last season where he recorded seven points and was minus 25 on one of the weaker teams in Major Junior Hockey. Bettauer has yet to play a game this season after being dropped by the Bruins this off-season and suffering a broken jaw this Fall.

MICHAEL HENGEN - A four year Western League defender before arriving in Penticton Mike is now playing his second season in Germany, this year he’s in the third division with the HERN EV (GERMANY - OBERLIGA) where he is averaging about a point a game. Michael father Tom Hengen is a Lower Mainland scout for the Vees.

ZACK JOSEPHER - A cannon of a shot from the point, Josepher was a mainstay on PP in his two years with the Vees. Zack is a Freshman at MICHIGAN STATE (NCAA - CCHA) where he had 4 points in his first NCAA game two weeks ago.

NIC KNUDSEN - Affectionately know as ‘The Beast’, Nic played last season with the CONCORDIA STINGERS (CIS - OUA) in Montreal. The hulking defender known as much for his heavy hits as ear to ear grin, isn’t listed on the Stingers 09/10 roster.

DEVON KROGH - Devon Krogh is now a freshamn for OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (NCAA - CCHA) and has a single assist in the early going. Krogh was known for his ‘flow’ (hockey hair), and his presence in the community with the SPCA dog walks and his role with the Read to Succeed program.

RYAN WAGNER - Ryan had all sorts of offers to continue to further his hockey career South of the border but the 20-year-old defender returned to Saskatchewan to work on the farm. Quiet, dependable, sturdy… he was voted the Vees top D-man in 2008.

NATHAN WESTOVER - ‘Westy’ was a well rounded defender with a knack for scoring against his former clubs (of which there were a few) and a love of blue sweat pants on the bus! Nathan spent most of the 08/09 season with the Burnaby Express. Much like his Junior eligibility, Westover’s hockey career appears to be over.

FORWARDS:

ZAC DALPE - MVP of the WJAC gold medal game, Dalpe was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes and is a current member of the OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (NCAA - CCHA). As a Sophomore ‘Z-D’ has 2 points in 3 games this season.

ELI GROSSMANN - Eli’s Junior career ended on a sour note (just YouTube ‘Grossmann loses it’) with the Grande Prairie Storm, as they got swept by the Vernon Vipers in the Doyle Cup, but his adventurous spirit lives on. The Alaskan suited up in the AIHL (Australian Ice Hockey League) this summer (their Winter), and at last check was still enjoying life down-under.

MICHAEL GUZZO - One of Al Formo’s all-time penalty killers through the years, Guzzo is playing with CURRY COLLEGE COLONELS (NCAA DIV III - ECAC NORTHEAST) who still haven’t started their 09/10 season. Michael had 23 points in 27 games as a Freshman.

BRETT HEXTALL - One of the greatest captains I’ve seen lead a team, Hextall was drafted by Phoenix and now plays for the NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING SIOUX (NCAA - WCHA) where he has 2 points in 4 games as a Sophomore on the 2nd ranked team in the nation.

ERIC KROSHUS - A great hockey player and a better student (that’s saying something!) Kroshus is a Sophomore with the HARVARD CRIMSON (NCAA - ECAC) who have yet to start their season. Kroshus was selected an ECAC Hockey All Academic last season.

MITCH LEBRECHE - Traded after training camp this season (there was a glut of centres) Mitch is now playing for the POWELL RIVER KINGS who are off to a great start of the season. Mitch has 5 goals and 5 assists in 19 games with his new club.

DENVER MANDERSON - The lone member that remains from the 2008 squad, Denver is a reminder of how quickly BCHL rosters turnover. Head to the top of this post for more on Denver.

CURTIS McKENZIE - C-Mac is having a sensational start to his freshman season with the MIAMI REDHAWKS (NCAA - CCHA) as he recorded 5 points in his first two weekends. Just 16 in 2008 Curtis was in a fourth line role with the club and threw his fists and checks with surprising success for a rook.

KYLE McMURPHY - A special teams wizard for the 2008 club, ‘McPowerPlay’ scored 13 of his 22 goals on the man-advantage. Kyle was playing poker in Vancouver at last check, and hung up the blades after the 2008 Championship.

VINNY MUCHALLA - A trade deadline pick up, Vinny was a physical force on the 4th line, who is taking business classes at UNBC and at last check was mulling over the option of suiting up for the FORT ST. JOHN FLYERS (SR. ‘AAA’ - NPHL) who will host the Allan Cup this Spring (Canadian National Sr. AAA Championship).

TREVOR NILL - Trevor is playing hockey in his home state for the MiCHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (NCAA - CCHA). Nill has 8 PIM and 0 points in 4 games. Nill was used in a checking role on the 08 Championship squad.

ANTHONY PERDICARO - Fresh off his 4 game stint in the AHL, Perdicaro will be back in the line-up of the COWICHAN VALLEY CAPITALS on Sunday when the Caps host the Warriors. Peridicaro was given a Gross Misconduct in his first game back with the Caps.

CORY SCHNEIDER - Cory Schneider suffered a mid-season injury with the OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (NCAA - CCHA) last year and had a tough time cracking the line-up on his return to full health. This year Schneider has played 4 of 5 games in his Sophomore season.

AUSTIN SMITH - Smitty and his patented glass diving were at their finest during the Fred Page Cup Finals in 2008, where he scored the first goal of each of the 4 game sweep of the Clippers. Smith is a Dallas Stars draft pick playing his Sophomore season for the COLGATE RAIDERS (NCAA - ECAC). Austin had 31 points in 37 games as a Freshman.

Weekend highlights from south of the border included defenders Devon Krogh and Kaare Odegard each recording their first NCAA point. Curtis McKenzie continues to look sharp as a Redhawk with a four point weekend for Miami at New Hampshire. Also, 2008 Fred Page Cup winner Alex Evin continues to make a case for the starting job in net at Colgate.

Hextall mixes it up!

Brennan Barker D (SR, Alabama-Huntsville) - 4GP 0-2-2 4PIM

Anthony Borelli G (FR, Brown) - Season Not Underway

Steve Cameron F (JR, Mercyhurst) - 4GP 1-1-2 2PIM

Cody Collins F (SR, Mercyhurst) - 4GP 0-1-1 0PIM

Deron Cousens D (JR, Michigan Tech) - 2GP 0-1-1 0PIM

Zac Dalpe F (SO, Ohio State) - 4GP 1-1-2 0PIM

Alex Evin G (SO, Colgate) - 2GP (1-0-1) 1.44 .945

Brett Hextall F (SO, North Dakota) - 4GP 2-0-2 18PIM

Tanner House F (JR, Maine) - 0GP - INJURY

Zack Josepher D (FR, Michigan State) - 4GP 2-2-4 2PIM

Devon Krogh D (FR, Ohio State) - 3GP 0-1-1 0PIM

Eric Kroshus F (SO, Harvard) - Season Not Underway

Justin Krueger D (SR, Cornell) - Season Not Underway

Brian Lebler F (SR, Michigan) - 2GP 1-0-1 4PIM

Alex MacLeod F (SO, Michigan Tech) - 2GP 0-0-0 2PIM

Bryant Molle D (JR, Alaska-Fairbanks) - 4GP 0-1-1 2PIM

Curtis McKenzie F (FR, Miami-Ohio) - 4GP 2-3-5 6PIM

Cory Milan G (JR, Union) - 3GP (2-0-1) 2.28 .925

TJ Miller D (SR, Northern Michigan) - 2GP 0-0-0 2PIM

Trevor Nill F (SO, Michigan State) - 4GP 0-0-0 2PIM

Bryan Mountain G (FR, Northeastern) - NO STARTS

Kaare Odegard D (FR, Alaska-Fairbanks) - 3GP 0-1-1 2PIM

Travis Ouellette F (FR, Ferris State) - 4GP 2-0-2 2PIM

Cory Schneider F (SO, Ohio State)- 3GP 0-0-0 0PIM

Austin Smith F (SO, Colgate) - 4GP 2-0-2 4PIM

Evan Trupp F (JR, North Dakota) - 4GP 0-3-3 2PIM

Brent Vandenberg F (FR, Niagara) - 2GP 1-0-1 2PIM

QUITE AN IMPRESSIVE LIST OF ACTIVE NCAA PLAYERS!

Brennan Barker D (Alabama-Huntsville) - 2GP 0-1-1 4PIM

Steve Cameron F (Mercyhurst) 2GP 0-0-0 0PIM

Cody Collins F (Mercyhurst) 2GP 1-0-1 0PIM

Deron Cousens D (Michigan Tech) - 2GP 0-1-1 0PIM

Zac Dalpe F (Ohio State) - 2GP 0-1-1 0PIM

Alex Evin G (Colgate) - 1GP (1-0-0) 2.00 .935

Brett Hextall F (North Dakota) - 2GP 2-0-2 0PIM

Tanner House F (Maine) - 0GP - INJURY

Zack Josepher D (Michigan State) - 2GP 2-2-4 2PIM

Devon Krogh D (Ohio State) - 1GP 0-0-0 0PIM

Eric Kroshus F (Harvard) - Season Not Underway

Justin Krueger D (Cornell) - Season Not Underway

Brian Lebler F (Michigan) - 2GP 1-0-1 4PIM

Alex MacLeod F (Michigan Tech) - 2GP 0-0-0 2PIM

Bryant Molle D (Alaksa Fairbanks) - 2GP 0-1-1 2PIM

Curtis McKenzie F (Miami-Ohio) - 2GP 1-0-1 4PIM

Cory Milan G (Union) - 2GP (2-0-0) 2.00 .930

TJ Miller D (Northern Michigan) - 2GP 0-0-0 2PIM

Trevor Nill F (Michigan State) 0-0-0 2PIM 2PIM

Bryan Mountain G (Northeastern) - NO STARTS

Kaare Odegard D (Alaska-Fairbanks) - 1GP 0-0-0

Travis Ouellette F (Ferris State) - 2GP 1-0-1 0PIM

Cory Schneider F (Ohio State)- 1GP 0-0-0 0PIM

Austin Smith F (Colgate) - 2GP 2-0-2 2PIM

Evan Trupp F (North Dakota) - 2GP 0-1-1 0PIM

Brent Vandenberg F (Niagara) - 1GP 1-0-1 2PIM

I spoke with Miami Redhawks 18-year-old freshman Curtis McKenzie on Monday.

The new guy is fitting in quite nicely in Ohio as he potted his first goal in his first game against. Curtis is back to the books and getting used to his new club in the CCHA.

Curtis lead the Vees in Goals, Points, GWG, PPG, SHG and PIM last season as a 17-year-old. Curtis was a member of the Canada West World Jr. A Challenge silver medal team, Team West of the CJHL Prospects Game, a BCHL All-Star, was named Captain of the Vees when Denver Manderson was injured in January, and was drafted by the Dallas Stars in June.

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Happy Turkey Day!

While you were watching Monday Night Football or perhaps a 5-goal colapse from the Calgary Flames on Monday night, Murray Maxwell and I were in the EZ Rock studios for the weekly show.

On the program tonight, Interior Conference Power Rankings, Vees Thanksgiving traditions, golf tips with Evan Hammond of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, an alumni NCAA update, a look back at the history of Jr. hockey in Penticton with Al Formo, and highlights of the week that was.

Enjoy your last show for a few weeks, as there won’t be a show next Monday.

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* Randy Sexton (father of Ben) has finally had the interim tag dropped and been named the new GM of the Florida Panthers. Here’s the press conference from earlier today in Helsinki.

* The Ohio State Buckeyes are a team full of Vees Alumni. Zac Dalpe & Cory Schneider are entering their sophomore season, Devon Krogh is a freshman this year, and down the road current Vees Forward Alex Szczechura will be attending OSU. Other BCHL grads on the Buckeyes include Juniors Hunter Bishop (Vernon) & Erick Belanger (Nanaimo), as well as Sophomore Taylor Stephishen (Langley).

Here’s Zac on the expectation for the Buckeyes this season:

…And a season preview

* Another NCAA team laden with BCHLers is the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Junior Evan Trupp (older brother of current Vees forward Hayden) and Sophomore Brett Hextall - the captain of the 2007/2008 Fred Page Cup Champions - play with Seniors Chay Genoway (Vernon) and Darcy Zajac (Salmon Arm).

Here’s a season preview for the highly touted Fighting Sioux squad, who head into the season with

* If you missed Tuesday Night’s loss in Merritt, Emanuel Sequiera has the recap in the Penticton Western News.

* Trail is not a team to be taken lightly by the Vees tonight. The Smokies offense has finally woken up after scoring just 10 goals in their first six games of the year. The Orange & Black beat Williams Lake on Sunday and tied Salmon Arm on Tuesday Night and scored 12 goals in the two games.

* Adam Zamec appears to be close to a return in the Vees line-up. Though I doubt he’ll hit the ice this weekend, I wouldn’t be shocked if he made his debut on Wednesday at home against Cowichan.

* Al Formo is back on the broadcast tonight, and we’ll be joined by Chad Campbell in the pre-game show and 2nd intermission. Puck hits ice at 7:05 and the pre-game show on EZ Rock starts at 6:45 (PST… for you long distance fans). If you aren’t listening on EZ Rock in the South Okanagan or Similkameen, you can hop online to MyEZRock.com or swing by the BCHL’s audio scoreboard at BCHL.ca. Finally, if you are in the SOEC at the game you can tune into 105.5 FM to catch the braodcast.

Lots on the program this week. Murray Maxwell joined me in studio on a busy week in Vees-land.

We had highlights from the week that was, Caught up with WJAC Team Canada West Coach Rylan Ferster, as well as Joey LaLeggia and Garrett Milan. Also Beau Bennett tells us how excited he is to line up accross from his teammates as he dawns the Red, White, and Blue for team USA.

LaLeggia, Bonar, and Milan are in Okotoks, AB today

Zac Dalpe drops by to give us an update on Devon Krogh’s ‘flow’ at Ohio State, The Interior Conference Power Rankings are altered with Trail’s 1st win of the year, and Brian Wiebe helps us tee up Tuesday’s game in Merritt.

Boston Pizza Vees this week airs Monday’s on EZ Rock AM 800 and at MyEZRock.com from 6-7 (after the news). Also the show will be posted to the Blog before 8PM PST on Monday’s.

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Father of Vees D-man Derik Johnson - Jim Johnson has been named the Associate Coach of the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL (Tampa Bay’s Farm Team).

Jim played over 800 games in the NHL and has been working with Tampa’s organization for a few years now.

The Western College Blog has noticed the quick start the Vees have gotten off to and their talented roster.

Ron Vincent, who ripped apart the BCHL in the late 70’s with the Penticton Vees, is the Managing Partner of the club this year. Emanuel Sequiera of the Penticton Western News gives us more on his new role with the club.

Former Vees Defender Deron Cousens was at the Washington Capitals development camp earlier this Fall. The Georgetown Independant & Free Press has more on the Michigan Tech Junior’s brush with the NHL.

Brett Hextall talks about his role for the Fighting Sioux in his sophomore season in North Dakota.