vees:blog

Not too many players of note have emerged from the Arizona desert in the history of hockey, but that may be starting to change. Joey Holka is a 6′3, 191 lbs Phoenix product with designs on changing what people think of hockey in Arizona. Much like Dallas Stars prospect and former Vees forward Austin Smith, Holka has come to the ‘Great White North’ from the heat of the ‘American South’ to further his hockey development.

Primed for his sophomore season, Joey Holka talked with the Vees Blog after Thursday’s practice, which was the last skate prior to the season opener in Williams Lake.

The fleet of foot forward has enjoyed a productive pre-season, and is set to take on a bigger role with the Vees this campaign.

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Ryan Viselli took a moment to chat with me after Wednesday’s practice.

The 20-year-old forward is coming off a strong rookie campaign where he recorded 20 goals and 52 points, good enough to place him in the the top 40 in the BCHL. Yet, it took Viselli awhile to find his feet in Junior ‘A’ as he went pointless in his first five games (afterwhich he propmtly went on a six game point streak) adjusting to the BCHL pace. Ryan and I talk about being a rookie last year, goals for this year (his last in Junior), and his new line-mates (seen below).

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Brian Wiebe of Radio NL and ‘Making Cents’ (the Merritt Centennials blog) was kind enough to make time for an interview today.

Obviously it’s been a crazy month in Merritt where everything has suddenly been turned upside down. The future of the franchise is once again the buzz of the BCHL.

A long-time fan, and former member of board of directors of the club, Brian shares some perspective on the current issues facing the longest running club in BCHL history.

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HC/GM Fred Harbinson and I kick around some news items regarding the team and the league, as training camp starts in exactly a week.

On Johansen

His 08/09 regular season numbers don’t jump at you off the screen, but don’t understate the offensive tools Ryan has. Johansen was 3rd in playoff scoring for the Vees and was worlds better in March than he was in the Fall in his first months of Junior. Crafty. Big. Skilled. He may be on TV one day.

Roger Tepper. Edge Photography. edgephoto@telus.net

I envision Ryan in a top 6 role in Portland this season and an NHL team to announce his name come the NHL Entry Draft in late June. [On a side note the Entry Draft was slated to take place in Phoenix, but could be relocated due to the Coyotes bankruptcy chaos.] Best of luck to the kid!

Szczerchura Added to Equation

Szczerchura = “Shuh-here-a”

Big Brother Paul = Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ohio State = Dalpe + Schneider + Krogh + Szczechura = Vees

Enough Math.

Here’s big brother Paul

More Mayhem in Merritt

Shawn and Brian have been following Merritt’s off-season with much more detail that I have, but if what Fred says in our interview below, is true, Merritt is entering a world of pain.

The Cents were nearly bought by more stable ownership months ago, before the deal fell through just weeks ago. Now the team may be without a Head Coach & GM, and is most certainly in a precarious financial situation.

You have to feel for the fans, players and people of Merritt as they’ve had a real rough 2+ years with rumours of sales, relocation and management changes. Never mind the 82 loses in the past 2 season. This will be an interesting situation to follow in the next few weeks.

**** UPDATE ****

Brian Wiebe at ‘Making Cents’ has confirmed Bouchard has resigned as head coach and GM.

Gonzo

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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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* 2007/2008 BCHL Rookie of the Year Zac Dalpe has been listed as one of the top 5 prospects in the Carolina Hurricanes system by NHL.com in their league wide summer check-ups.

* Weird to say it but ‘ALUMNI’ Curtis McKenzie has been the talk of many hockey people over the last few days. Apparently the Red Deer Rebels are still intent on luring C-Mac to play in the WHL this season (see the bottom of Greg Drinnan’s Wednesday posting). Despite mulling over his options last summer (BCHL vs. WHL) and choosing Penticton and the fact C-Mac earned a full-ride to Miami of Ohio in the pre-season, the Rebels are still chasing the power forward. Here’s a good scouting profile on the Golden (BC) boy, if you need a refresher on his sensational seventeen-year-old season.

I spoke with Curtis today on the phone and he said he’s still intent on going to college, but wasn’t going to shut down any dialogue with the Rebels. If Curtis gets a chance to talk to Brent Sutter, maybe he can ask why the Flames drafted Spencer Bennett of the Surrey Eagles over him in June’s Entry Draft, as that seemed to boggle some minds in BCHL circles.

In other hockey news…

* Colorado draft pick Matt Duchene must be out of soap… don’t believe me? Check out his dirty hands caught on film at the World Junior Camp in Calgary Saskatoon. If he’s not in Colorado I’d be shocked, but dang, if he’s in Saskatchewan over X-mas Holidays that would be quite a gift for Canadian hockey fans.

* In Garrett Milan sized news, Darren Dregger of TSN is reporting that 41-year-old Theo Fleury is planning a return to the NHL. Fleury claims he’s been sober for four years. He must have been inspired by Claude Lemieux’s comeback last season. One day Theo’s jersey will be in the rafters of the SutterSaddledome, but until then he could certainly sell tickets in Abbotsford and maybe even help the Flames who are lacking offensive weapons after losing Bertuzzi and Cammalleri from last season’s squad… hmmmm.

The new athletic therapist for the Penticton Vees, Geoff Carter, arrived in town this week.

Geoff was the Head Coach of the top Minor Midget team in Southern Alberta last year and will brings an extensive hockey knowledge to the Vees. While out-going A.T. Alana Dyrland will be missed, Geoff will be a huge asset to the team moving forward.

I caught up with Geoff earlier today.

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* The Vernon Vipers’ Jones Twins are athletes, not just hockey players. Don’t believe me? Ask the Coure D’Alene Lumbermen who got it good from the Kootenay kids!

Is that KELLEN OR CONNOR?! I can never tell.

* Local Vees power forward Logan Johnston impressed his hometown crowd on Saturday as he potted a pair of goals at the BC HHOF Summer Classic (more than Jarome Iginla). Dave Crompton of the Herald tells us Logan has his sights set on a jump in offensive production this season.

* Kristi Patton of the Penticton Western News gives us the background on Justin Pogge’s rags to riches story (it’s expensive being a goalie). Justin played in the Summer Classic on Saturday and was smiling from ear-to-ear with mother Annet in attendance. Justin was thrilled at the opportunity to give back to minor hockey given his humble roots.

[Insert joke about taking the shirt of his back for charity HERE]

* Brian Weibe has some background on Assistant Coach Luke Pierce of the new and improved Merritt Centennials coaching staff. Don’t expect to see either Port Alberni or Merritt in the basement of their Conference standings this season (where they’ve both been found the past two seasons).

* Somehow I forgot to mention the hockey operations shuffle in Salmon Arm, as Rylan Ferster will now be the full time GM as Matt Hughes takes over the bench duties. Here’s the release from the Silverbacks.

* The Trail Smoke Eaters have officially inked Wade Bennett for the upcoming campaign. Wade is the older brother of Vees recruit Beau Bennett. Both played for the LA Jr. Kings last season.

* A former Alberni Bulldog has been inked by the Vancouver Canucks… But, don’t get too excited Kellan Tochkin apparently played just a single game in the BCHL. Hammer has the follow up.

Kellan in Everett

* Former Salmon Arm Silverback Kris Chucko has re-upped with the Calgary Flames, and will likely play in Abbotsford this season. He scored 28 goals and 51 points last season in the AHL, but he’s no Travis Zajac. Eddie Gregory has more.

Tomorrow’s Summer Classic at the SOEC is just one of the big events Garrett Milan has lined up for the Summer of ‘09.

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Vees Assistant Coach David Small and I talk about the Vees upcoming Junior Prep Camp, Osoyoos and Dave’s lack of a tan.

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