vees:blog

The man who may have saved Penticton Junior Hockey from extinction a half decade ago, is stepping down as Managing Partner of the Vees.

“I will be a part-time scout for the Anahiem Ducks and be a minority partner in the Vees so it will allow me to stay in touch with the hockey world, but I have some personal goals to commit more time to moving forward” said Carter today of his duties moving forward.

Local businessman Neil Jamieson (current Vees Governer) will add Managing Partner to his list of duties taking over for Scott.

I caught up with Neil today, to reflect on the legacy Scott Carter has left behind.

After last season’s Fred Page Cup Championship, Scott bows out on top - a fitting place for man who saved (and brought back) the Vees.

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Vees Head Coach Fred Harbinson following Monday’s practice.

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Friday afternoon saw the Vees last scrimmage of training camp, the Vees Blog was there to catch up with the Vees staff and scout some of the new recruits.

In order of appearance we talk with…

Murray Maxwell, Equipment Manager

David Small, Asistant Coach

Alana Dyrland, Athletic Therapist

Fred Harbinson, Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operation

Tom Hengen, Lower Mainland Scout (father of Michael Hengen)

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After four scrimmages in 48 hours, the tone in Vees Training Camp has become more competitive, and physical. After a opening scrimmage that felt more like an All-Star Game than a Playoff Game, the Coaching staff placed an emphasis on intensity, and have liked the response they’ve seen from their troops.

Forwards

The only scrap of camp thus far featured returning forward Anthony Perdicaro and newcomer Brent Vandenberg (also a forward). Vandenberg played in the OPJHL (Ontario Jr. ‘A’) last season and has designs on making what should be a grittier roster in 08-09.

Goaltenders

The coaching staff has been pleased with all four goalies present in Training Camp. While Bonar and Borelli could be considered favorites to crack the squad, the coaching staff has iterated the competition to make the team is still wide open.

Defence

Matt Paltridge’s play on the back end has been one of the highlights of Vees Camp. Paltridge played in Tecomseh, ON last year at the Jr. ‘B’ level, and has impressed with his mobility and decision making. Also raising eyebrows has been ‘Mr. Versatility’ Eli Grossmann. The Alaskan tough-guy spent the majority of 07-08 up front but has been very sound on the blue-line, earning praise from the Vees brass.

Training Camp’s final scrimmage runs 4-6 this afternoon in Osoyoos.

On a dark and wet Wednesday in the Okanagan, the Penticton Vees hit the ice for day one of the 2008-2009 Training Camp in normally desert-like Osoyoos, BC (home to Canada’s hottest climate).

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The 43 players vying for a roster spot are divided into two teams (black and white) who will scrimmage once today, twice Thursday and twice Friday (among other on and off-ice activities) before returning back to Penticton on Saturday and heading into the Mountains for team building on Sunday (bear hunting?!).

The Vees open their four game exhibition schedule Tuesday in Merritt, and open the regular season on September 5th in Westside.

The Vees playing roster must be widdled down from 43 to 23 by the beginning of the regular season.

Just two days after losing James Bettauer to the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL, the Vees got a big confirmation from a fellow ‘91 skater from last years’ championship squad. Golden, BC’s favorite wrecking ball, Curtis MacKenzie, will be back in Penticton for the 08-09 Season, electing to play in the BCHL (and thus likely the NCAA) rather than in Red Deer of the Western League.

Also, last years’ Vees will welcome a Doyle Cup enemy to the locker room this season as the Vees have completed another deal with the Camrose Kodiaks. Forward David Andreassen, a Camrose Kid, has been acquired for the rights to two 20-year-old players in Western Hockey League. Andreassen has played in the last two Royal Bank Cup Tournaments with the Kodiaks.

For all the details the Vees Blog found Head Coach and VP of Hockey Operations Fred Harbinson.

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The Jr. ‘A’ hockey season came to a close today with the Humbolt Broncos of the SJHL crowned as Canada’s finest.

The Saskatchewan powerhouse won their 2nd National Championship in club history with a 1-0 blanking of the Camrose Kodiaks.

An early Power Play Goal from Edward Gale (Cousin of Gary Leaman) stood as the lone tally, and Broncos Goalie Taylor Nelson make a spectacular save in the final moments of the game to earn the shutout and deny the Camrose Kodiaks their 2nd RBC Cup.

RBC Cup Headquarters

Jacques Lemaire and Lou Lamoriello would have liked this game, as both teams played very defensively concious hockey (remember the Doyle Cup?).

Not exactly the style of play one loves to see in a showcase game for Jr. ‘A’ hockey in Canada, but a winning is winning, and as this year has displayed the BCHL seems to rewards a different style of play than the RBC Qualifiers and Tournament.

As for the Vees:Blog, this should do it for the 07-08 year. It’s been fun working on the Blog and I’ve had a great response from Vees Fans and Junior ‘A’ fans from around the world. Hits have come from as far as Japan, Honduras, Germany, Finland, Australia and Russia, as well as the steady flow from across North America.

So while the Vees themselves are now gettting back into their workout regimes, or forging a new direction in life after a hockey career this Summer, I’ll be home in Calgary enjoying time with family and friends.

All the best until Fall. Vees:Blog (v2.0) is coming!

One last time this season…

“Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere’s Fred”

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The Vees are proud to announce the commitment of Goaltender Sean Bonar to the 08-09 team.

Bonar was born in 1991 and played for the Greater Vancouver Canadians in the BC Major Midget League.

Stats

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The Vees season has come to an end as the Camrose Kodiaks have defeated the Vees in Game 5 of the Doyle Cup.

Boris Rybalka and his troops showed their experience and were a poised group throughout the series.

For the Vees, it’s a bitter end to a fantastic season of achievement.

Congrats to the Vees on the 1st Fred Page Cup win for Penitcton since 1986 and best of luck to the Kodiaks at the RBC.

As for the Blog, I’ll be posting more interviews as the boys pack up their gear and head home… stay tuned!