vees:blog

Zac Dalpe was named the CCHA rookie of the week for his efforts last week against Michigan State.

P.S. check the following link for a bonus skimboarding video featuring ZD!

Follow the adventures of Curtis McKenzie and Denver Manderson as they return home from the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge. Zoom In, Zoom Out, have fun with this interactive map!

Click ‘View Larger Map’ if the ‘lil guy is bothering you!

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For the 1st time in the history of the World Jr ‘A’ Challenge, the USA has won gold. No doubt about this contest, the USHL charges thouroughly dismantled Canada West winning 7-1.

International Junior ‘A’ Hockey will be in the spotlight tonight.

TSN 2 has coverage of the Gold Medal Game of the World Jr. A Challenge live from Camrose starting at 5PM (PST).

Canada West looks for their 3rd consecutive Gold Medal and will face an American team comprised of USHL players. The Penticton Vees are well represented at the showcase event with Denver Manderson and Curtis McKenzie on the team a year after Brett Hextall (UND), Zac Dalpe (Ohio St.) and Trevor Nill (Michigan St.) struck gold with Canada West in Trail, BC.

Manderson leads Canada West in points with 2 goals and 3 assists, while McKenzie has a goal.

Check your local listings for TSN 2 coverage of the event (it was TSN last year).

Former Vees Captain Brett Hextall scored his 1st career NCAA goal last night, as the North Dakota Fighting Sioux beat the top ranked Colorado College Tigers.

Hextall captained the 2008 BCHL Champions, was drafted in the 6th round by Phoenix at the NHL Entry Draft, and has his mug all over the BCHL’s marketing efforts (yep, that’s him hoisting the Cup on the BCHL’s homepage).

(While the beard is gone, he’s still rocking a serious mop that would even make Devon Krogh proud)

Way to go Bretter!

The Russians and Germans have been eliminated from medal contention at the World Jr. A Challenge.

The Russians were blown out 8-2 by the Americans and the Germans fell to Belarus 7-5 in double-header action yesterday in Camrose. The pair will face off on Saturday in the 5th place game.

C-Mac, Mandy & Canada West will face Belarus, while Canada East sees the USA Saturday’s Semi-Finals action in Camrose.

Cam Tait has more from Alberta (and he’s hip to YouTube kids)!

Curtis McKenzie and Denver Manderson each had a point as Canada West beat Russia 5-2 last night to earn their first win at the WJAC.

McKenzie scored on the Power Play and was set up by Justin Schultz (Westside Warriors D-man) and Denver Manderson in the 2nd period.

Derek Grant of the Langley Chiefs notched a pair for Canada West in the win that sees the club take over top spot in Group A with 4 points (turns out they did award a point for Canada West’s OTL to Belarus).

Tonight Canada East and the USA battle in Group B action and the final game of the Preliminary Round of play.

Cam Tait has been following the WJAC and says things got ugly after the game last night.

After being shocked 4-3 in a shootout against Belarus on Sunday, Team Canada West faces Russia tonight. All 3 teams both groups (A & B) will advance to the elimination round, but the top seeded team move to the semi-final, rather than play in the quarterfinals.

A win for Canada West Tonight would put the club in a 3 way tie for first in Group A, while a loss or tie would result in the team ranked 3rd (A3). I imagine the tie-breaking formula would involve goals for and against (email me if you know). Mysteriously there is no point awarded for a Shoot-Out Loss in the tournament, which seems silly to me.

Denver Manderson scored shorthanded in the first game of the preliminary round after posting 3 assists in exhibition play, Curtis McKenzie is yet to hit the score sheet.

Here the skinny on the ‘WJAC‘.

The BCHL announced the 7 league players ranked for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by Central Scouting. Curtis McKenzie is forcasted as a mid-round pick.

McKenzie is currently in Camrose for the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge with Denver Manderson.

The Vees Blog caught up with last year’s Assistant Coach Aaron Wilbur as the blue, black and white practiced at UBC’s Campus.

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