The Vees line-up will reflect a few changes from sick-bay. Bonar is out with SWINE FLU while Ben Sexton will return to the line-up tonight after getting injured on October 25th in Port Alberni.
These are turbulent times!
Let’s wish Sean Bonar the speediest of recoveries from the swine flu, and hope that nobody else (he billets with Logan Johnston’s family) catches the extra vicious bug.
I caught up with Fred Harbinson prior to Wednesday’s morning skate to discuss the news and the ramifications on the team for the remainder of the week.
Murray is back in studio as we are posed with the dilemma of what to do on the heels of two losses to the Westside Warriors. The Vees had won 10-in-a-row heading into Friday’s action and have now lost two straight for the first time this season.
Baseball enthusiast and Salmon Arm Silverback voice Patrick Haas helps us tee up Wednesday’s tilt between the Vees and ‘backs, and pumps the tires of Jason Bay.
Also on the program we hear from Westside Warriors Prez/GM/Managing Partner (read: CZAR) Gary Gelinas on desparity between rich and poor in the BCHL, a new chapter in the history of the Warriors, and the growing South Okanagan rivalry.
The staples (Interior Conference Power Rankings, Murray’s Answering Machine & Highlights) are also in the mix, as well as some great news for Joey Holka and Logan Johnston and the usual tomfoolery.
It’s our last show for a couple weeks, so get your fill of Vees chatter before a brief hiatus.
More on the Adam Zamec trade, the Vees winning streak reaching 10 games, and the Vees new alternate captain tonight at the Kettle Valley Station Pub as Fred Harbinson gathers with the local media from 6 ’til 7. Also we’ll talk about the Westside Warriors club the Vees will play twice this weekend and the 5 members of the Vees and Warriors that were on Team Canada West at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge.
A pair of tickets for Friday’s game with the Warrriors is on the line to the best question from the audience.
SOEC PROMOTIONS… CHEAP BEER & MORE!
The folks at the SOEC have put together all the ingredients for a zany night come November 27th. All that’s left is to fill the building. On that brave Friday night the Vees face the lowly Williams Lake Timberwolves who are on to their third coach prior to the midway point of their reincarnation. The T-wolves have won just 5 games this season and have allowed 31 goals in 5 blowout losses in November.
The Vees and their potent offensive skills should make for lots to cheer about at the SOEC on the 27th… and if that isn’t enough to entice you to the rink, well… Then there is the $2 BEER.
Yes, you read that right. $2 BEER. WOW. We may have to cancel the broadcast.
Like Unicorns and the ‘pot of gold’ at the end of the rainbow, $2 Beer is talked about often, but is believed to be a mythical entity. Not on the night of the 27th my friends… See you there!
Other special offers at the SOEC this month include…
NOV 13 vs. WESTSIDE - Seniors Night - $6 tix, $1 coffee. No need to hang out at A&W and Timmy’s all day.
NOV 18 vs. SALMON ARM - $1 Hot dogs & Season Ticket Exchange - Redeem unused season tix for a $6 ticket then gorge yourself on dollar dogs.
NOV 28 vs. PRINCE GEORGE - Teddy Bear Toss & Toonie Night at the Concession. Lots more on this as the date approaches.
Vees Head Coach and General Manager Fred Harbinson has traded Adam Zamec to the Wellington Dukes of the CCHL (Central Canadian Hockey League) for future considerations.
The second year, 20-year-old forward had a goal and two assists in 11 games this season after a late start due to off season surgery. Named an alternate captain last year, Zamec’s best year of junior was in ‘07/’08 when he scored 17 goals for the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL after being traded from Kitchener.
TRUPP TERIFFIC
Evan Trupp has been named a WCHA Player of the Week after recording three goals in two weekend games.
SMITH NAMED TOP RAIDER
Austin Smith was named the Colgate Raiders Male Athlete of the Week after a three goal weekend. Smith was a member of the ‘07/’08 BCHL Champions, and is the only Dallas born hockey player to be drafted by the Stars.
One third of the way into the 2009/2010 campaign, the Penticton Vees are on pace for their highest output since being renamed the Vees in 2004.
The Vees wait on the bench for another flood at practice
In fact since junior hockey arrived in Penticton in the 1961 no team has never eclipsed 100 points, though through a third of the season the Vees are ahead of that mystical century mark as 17-2-0-1 is a pace for a 105 point season. While that is just a projection, there are reasons to believe that maybe, just maybe, the Vees can continue to roll at their current pace.
For budding historians in the crowd 52 wins is the BCHL record set by the New Westminster Royals in 89-90 and the Vernon Vipers of 98-99. That New-West club also had 108 points, which stands as the BCHL record. The Royals beat Fred Harbinson (the player) and the Calgary Canucks that year in the Doyle Cup… Crazy.
Clearly this club is deep and talented. Clearly they are among the best teams in Junior ‘A’ in Canada. Clearly there are players who will be selected in the NHL Entry Draft this coming June in LA (Beau Bennett, Luke Curadi, Joey LaLeggia, Sean Bonar, and Isaac MacLeod are on scouting radars). The rest is still to be determined.
With the first 20 games in the history books, let’s pour a scotch, light the fireplace, and take a closer look at how the season has gone to this point. (more…)
Hayden Trupp has been designated an ‘Affiliated Player’ and has been assigned to the Penticton Lakers of the KIJHL (Jr. B).
With BC Hockey reversing their decision, and deeming Trupp an import, the Vees were forced to make a move with their roster already sitting at the league maximum of 8 imports. Trupp will play for the Vees this weekend, after which he will be allowed 10 games for the big club in the remainder of the regular season. Once the Lakers season has ended Trupp would be free to play with the Vees with no restriction. The Vees now have an open roster spot.
The 17-year-old forward has no shortage of skill but has been physically outmatched in his rookie season. Trupp has recorded a goal and an assist in 16 BCHL games after playing Midget hockey in Alaska last season.
Hayden was born in Penticton in 1992, his father and older brother both played their Junior hockey in Penticton.
I spoke with Vees HC/GM Fred Harbinson after Tuesday’s Practice…
Amid the usual conversation at the KVS Pub regarding the week that was, the upcoming match-ups, and the storylines of the week in the BCHL was something that seemed to strike a nerve with the Vees Head Coach and GM.
On the heels of their recently released 2010 Watch List, Fred Harbinson was awfully vocal about his displeasure with NHL Central Scouting and their lack of exposure for the BCHL. Fred seemed particularly disappointed with Isaac MacLeod’s absence from the list, and I suppose you can see his point. If a 6′5 17-year-old defender who skates well isn’t a prospect, what is!?
Other topic broached include the team’s precautionary measures regarding the H1N1 flu epidemic (pandemic?!). Fred’s son Freddy (who lives in Wisconsin) is among the growing number of young athletes that have caught the Swine Flu.
Also, Fred walks us through the acquisition of Taylor Peters a big 17-year-old kid who played a full season with the Portland Winterhawks last year. The timing couldn’t be better as the Vees are facing short bench for the next two weeks with the World Jr. ‘A’ Challenge going on in PEI.
With the Burnaby Express in town featuring four former Vees, the home side missing four regulars, and the expected debut of newcomer Taylor Peters there are all sorts of reasons to be at the SOEC tomorrow.
