vees:blog

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.

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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.

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.

On a beautiful day in the Okanagan, we catch up with Montreal Canadiens draft pick, and soon to be member of the UND Fighting Sioux - Mark MacMillan. The local product had a roller-coaster season that saw great production, but too much time injured for anyone's liking.

Mark was in "La Belle Ville" in early May as part of the Habs' Development Camp, and is set to head to UND to prep for his first season of NCAA hockey in the WCHA.

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The fans in North Dakota won't forget Evan Trupp anytime soon. The 23-year-old has completed a dazzling four-year career in the WCHA, that saw a string of highlights not soon to be duplicated.

While fans will remember Evan's legacy with tribute videos and highlights on YouTube, Trupp is now focused on finding the right destination to launch his pro-career.

Evan joined us on the phone last night to talk about the next chapter of his hockey life, and to look back on a great four years in Grand Forks, ND.

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The Vees announced Thursday that twins Connor & Ryan Reilly, and younger brother Mike Reilly will all be suiting up in Penticton next season.

The trio played high school hockey together for two seasons and will be assembled again come Fall

I had a chance to talk with each of the three brothers today, one-by-one, over the phone. The 2011-2012 seasons can't start quick enough!

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After three great years with the UND Fighting Sioux, Vees former captain Brett Hextall signed with the Phoenix Coyotes over Easter weekend.

Hextall is the latest addition to a growing list of Vees Alumni who have signed professional contracts with NHL and AHL clubs since last Sping. Brian Lebler, Zac Dalpe, Ryan Johansen, Colton Jobke, Tanner House, Justin Kreuger, Brodie Reid and Hextall are Vees alums that have signed professional contracts since 2010 Spring. Impressive.

Vees Press Release

I caught up with 'Hexy' over the phone line to talk about 'going pro'.

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A prolific scorer over three years in the BCHL and his team's leading scorer in the USHL two seasons ago, Brodie Reid will now ply his trade in the San Jose Sharks organization after a stellar freshman campaign with the Northeastern Huskies.

I had a chance to catch up with Brodie after a week in San Jose where he soaked in the life of a Shark.

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After three years with the Vees, Derik Johnson is off to the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs - who just happen to be the reigning National Champions after winning the Frozen Four last weekend in St. Paul. Guess who was there?

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