vees:blog

Highlights from the weekend that was include a massive explosion of goals from Vees Alumni. Steve Cameron (Mercyhurst) , Travis Ouellette (Ferris State), and Evan Trupp (North Dakota) all had three goal weekends, while Austin Smith (Colgate) led the way with four points. Notching the first goals of their NCAA careers were former line-mates Eric Kroshus (Harvard) and Cory Schneider (Ohio State) from the 2008 Fred Page Champion Vees.

Vees Alums combined for 16 goals this weekend! Not too shabby.

Cory Schneider who is shown here jockeying for position with former member of the Vees TJ Miller.

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

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

Steve Cameron F (JR, Mercyhurst) - 10GP 7-3-10 6PIM

Cody Collins F (SR, Mercyhurst) - 10GP 2-2-4 0PIM

Deron Cousens D (JR, Michigan Tech) - 8GP 1-1-2 6PIM

Zac Dalpe F (SO, Ohio State) - 9GP 3-4-7 0PIM

Alex Evin G (SO, Colgate) - 5GP (1-1-2) 3.45 .883

Brett Hextall F (SO, North Dakota) - 7GP 2-0-2 18PIM

Tanner House F (JR, Maine) - 4GP 2-1-3 2PIM

Zack Josepher D (FR, Michigan State) - 8GP 2-2-4 10PIM

Devon Krogh D (FR, Ohio State) - 7GP 0-2-2 2PIM

Eric Kroshus F (SO, Harvard) - 1 Goal - Stats unavailable?!

Justin Krueger D (SR, Cornell) - 3GP 0-0-0 4PIM

Brian Lebler F (SR, Michigan) - 8GP 1-3-4 10PIM

Alex MacLeod F (SO, Michigan Tech) - 7GP 2-2-4 10PIM

Bryant Molle D (JR, Alaska-Fairbanks) - 8GP 0-1-1 4PIM

Curtis McKenzie F (FR, Miami-Ohio) - 10GP 3-5-8 24PIM

Cory Milan G (JR, Union) - 8GP (3-2-3) 2.63 .903

TJ Miller D (SR, Northern Michigan) - 6GP 0-1-1 4PIM

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) - 7GP 0-2-2 2PIM

Travis Ouellette F (FR, Ferris State) - 9GP 5-1-6 4PIM

Cory Schneider F (SO, Ohio State)- 9GP 1-2-3 0PIM

Austin Smith F (SO, Colgate) - 9GP 6-6-12 8PIM

Evan Trupp F (JR, North Dakota) - 8GP 4-4-8 2PIM

Brent Vandenberg F (FR, Niagara) - 6GP 1-1-2 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.

* The Vees and the Vipers are 1-2 in today’s release of the CJHL national rankings. Vernon has been sitting in top spot all season (and beyond), while the Vees got an honourable mention in week one, were moved up to 6th in week two, continued to rise to 3rd in week 3 and now are one back of their hated rivals. The Okanagan rivals will play on Friday in Penticton at the SOEC. If you like hockey, I trust you’ll be in attendance. This is an early candidate for game of the year. ValleyFirstTix.com or the SOEC box office for tickets.

* Goaltender Josh Watson (90) of the Powell River Kings has been named the BCHL ‘Player of the Week. The import net-minder was spectacular this week going (4-0-0) with two clean sheets, helping the Kings claim sole possession of first place in the Coastal Conference.

Week two ‘P.O.W.’ F - Mark Zengerle (89) had another monster weekend, this time posting 4 goals, 9 assists, and 13 points in 3 games played. That’s over 4 points a game! Zengerle now sits just 2 points back of Denver Manderson in the BCHL scoring race.

* The Nanaimo Clippers aren’t the power house they once were. After four consecutive seasons with the BCHL’s best record in the regular season (from 04/05 until 07/08) the Clippers finished ninth overall last year and are struggling early this year in a wide open Coastal Conference. The Clippers were shutout on Friday and Saturday and now sit in the basement of the Coastal Conference. To add salt to the wound on Friday Night former Clippers assistant Nolan Graham bested Bill Bestwick’s Clippers in a classic case of the student beating his professor.

The Clippers have not won at home yet this year, they are the only BCHL team that hasn’t. It’s not that Nanaimo is a bad club, it’s just that they haven’t been able to win close games. The Clippers have lost six one goal games this year, three of those in OT. The Clippers goal differential is just minus - 4.

* The Penticton Vees accomplished something that hadn’t been done since April 10th on Saturday, as the Blue Black and White handed Vernon their first loss in 22 games. The Vipers were previously unbeaten in seven regular season contests, four pre-season matches, didn’t lose at the RBC Cup (National Championship round robin and playoffs) in Victoria, swept the AJHL champion Grande Prairie Storm, and then of course won game six of the BCHL final against Powell River (wow).

The Vipers were not shutout once last year. Sean Bonar is the first net-minder to hold Vernon off the score sheet since former Vees puckstopper Alex Evin (seen above facing Vernon in Memorial Arena) did it on March 8th of 2008, in the second round of the playoffs (the Vees won the Fred Page Cup that season).

For more game reaction from Saturday’s game as well as all other Vipers news head to the Vipers Die Hard Fan Blog.

* The Merritt Centennials suffered a late heart break on Sunday in West Kelowna as the team watched the Warriors bury two goals in the last five minutes of play to the the game, and then another in OT to steal a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Musical goalies continue in Merritt as well as they’ve added a WHL cut to their squad. Also the club shipped Tyler Miller to his home town of Prince George after being dropped by the WHL’s Cougars ($10 say he never even left town). Brian Wiebe has the latest and thinks there’s more in the works as well.

* After opening the season undefeated in regulation through their first six games, the Burnaby Express have found out how difficult wins are to earn in the Interior. After a 7-2 spanking in Salmon Arm on Friday, the pain train’s next stop was Trail were the Smokies earned just their second win of the year in a 5-4 OT triumph. Making matters worse was a 4-2 Sunday loss in Vernon for the club’s third defeat in 48 hours. With just a single point earned from a possible six, the Express have been dumped off their throne and are now right back in the pack in the Coastal Conference.

Burnaby broadcaster and blogger Eddie Gregory may have seen this this coming.

* A couple great games with ramifications on Interior Conference standings go down Tuesday night in the BCHL. In the Caribou the Quesnel Millionaires visit the Prince George Spruce Kings for the second time this year. Quesnel won round one by a 4-1 score, and are a single point up on their rivals from PG for fifth in the Interior Conference.

Also, Trail visits Merritt for the second time this year (the sight of their season-opening loss), with both clubs playing much better hockey than they were just two weeks ago. The Smokies have points in 3 of 4 games, while the Cents beat Penticton last week and nearly beat Westside on Sunday. Seeds five through nine are looking pretty jumbled right now in the Interior, but we may have a clearer picture come Wednesday.

* 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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The man with the ‘C’ on his chest for the Penticton Vees this season is 20-year-old Denver Manderson.

The gifted play-maker from Furgus, ON was a huge part the Vees ‘07/’08 BCHL Championship, and was anointed captain after a late arrival to the Okanagan last season.

Always dynamic and dangerous, Mandy was his productive self with five points in his pre-season debut last night.

With his last two campaigns shortened by injury, Denver is focused on making this last season of Junior his best.

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Fan favorite and captain of the 2008 BCHL Champion Vees, Brett Hextall was in Penticton for a few days. After skating with the troops at prep camp Sunday and today, Brett caught up with some old pals for a round of mini golf on his final night in the Okanagan.

I caught up with Vees Assistant Coach Dave Small, local icon Murray Maxwell and Brett on the 5th hole of Loco Landing’s 18 holes.

Sideline reporting, talking hockey, and catching up with Hexy… Enjoy!

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Centennials Sale Goes ‘THUD’

Lots of news surrounding the Merritt Centennials and the latest failed sale.

John Grisdale doesn’t seem too worried (Shawn Mullin spoke with him).

Cents Governor and Director of Hockey Operations Brian Barrett sounds much more concerned about the future of the Cents in the Nicola Valley (he spoke with Cents Blogger Brian Weibe).

Vipers Are All Stars

The BCHL finally tweaked the All-Star Game, though I don’t know it will increase the profile of the event among fans or scouts.

Fans in Nanaimo will serve as a the guinea pigs for the new format that pits the defending champions against the best of the rest of the league. While this format was used for decades in the NHL, the intent of putting the best team in the BCHL against the rest will likely be off the mark as teams traditionally lose loads of talent following Championship years.

To illustrate the point, the Vipers will be without #1 Goalie Andrew Hammond, at least four of their top 6 Defenders (Bigos, Leidl, Brodie, Ikkala), Captain Chris Crowell, and top line winger Sahir Gill… not quite the same team that won the National Championship.

I don’t like the odds of a Vernon win, although the Game certainly will be more palatable that the mockery of the sport witnessed in Vernon last January.

Trail Preseason Tournament Update

The BCHL finally got around to announcing the Trail Smoke Eaters preseason tournament.

As mentioned weeks ago around the BCHL Blogosphere - the tournament will feature the home town Smokies, the Vees, the Powell River Kings and the Brooks Bandits of the AJHL.

Sounds like this may become a preseason staple in the Kootenays as it allows NCAA programs to scout players before the collegiate season gets going.

Former Penticton Vees forward Zac Dalpe garnered some media attention in Raleigh earlier this week.

The 2008 second round pick of the Hurricanes has the Carolina brass pleased with his development and maturation through his first year of college.

Dalpe recorded 13 goals in 37 games in his freshman season with Ohio State, where he battled injury late in the season.

* Shawn Mullin tees up the four-team pre-season exhibition tournament going down in the Kootenays with Smokies head coach and GM Jim Ingram. The Vees and Smokies will be joined by the Coastal Conference champs in the Powell River Kings, and the Brooks Bandits who had last season’s top record in the South Division of the AJHL.

* Former BCHLer Don Nachbaur has been hired as Head Coach of Bingingham Senators (Making Cents has the scoop). Fellow BCHL product Cory Clouston who was promoted to the big club during last season’s mess in the nation’s capital.

Nachbaur played his minor hockey in Prince George as Ron Gallo tells us.

* Former Vees Sniper Austin Smith has the quote of the week:

“British Columbia was like a tropical island compared to Upstate New York. Spring and fall are very nice, but the winter is a little cold.”

The Dallas born and Dallas drafted forward (he’s been playing centre at Colgate) tells Andrew’s Dallas Stars Page he is raising his goals for his Sophomore season. Smitty had 17 bingos and 31 points in 37 freshman appearances with the Raiders. The Texas kid had 67 points in his lone BCHL season and scored the first goal of each game of the BCHL Final in Nanaimo, raising his game in the second season.

* Teams for the BC Hockey Hall of Fame Charity Game will be announced tonight (stay tuned to the blog at around 9PM PST). Dennis Walker and Andre Martin will be selecting team Quinn while Sun FM/EZ Rock boys Randy Farmer, Allan Gee and Jon Ferebee will be joined by Crystal Nohr in selecting Team Renney. If the anticipation of the first pick is distracting you from work today, you aren’t alone. Agonizing over the top pick is common place.

* The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have pulled the trigger on a deal to acquire a 20-year-old tough guy from the AJHL. Alberni will most certainly be better this year, but are they a playoff team? Ask the magic eight ball!

* Curtis McKenzie was in town last weekend and I managed to get him in-studio for a quick chat. The power forward is off to Miami of Ohio this season and was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 6th round of the Entry Draft. I started off by congratulating C-Mac on being drafted…

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