vees:blog

Check out Denver Manderson’s player profile with Bernie Pascall.

Denver - in his 3rd year with the Vees - has been in the spotlight after a sensational start to his 20-year-old season. The captain is on pace for 129 points and is in the thick of the scoring race with Salmon Arm’s Mark Zengerle.

If coaching doesn’t work out for Vees Head Coach and GM Fred Harbinson a career as a head-hunter or importer would seem like a natural fit. Not that the bench boss of the Vees should be thinking about a career change, but in this productive off-season, he has proven he excels in the field of recruiting and bringing talent from all over North America to the Okanagan.

Along with the previously discussed Beau Bennett, Ben Sexton, Luke Curadi (among others), Harbinson has also added Jeff Johnson - a maritime product who played US Prep School Hockey last year at Holderness Academy and was mentioned on the early season Draft Watch list last winter.

Here’s a great piece on Johnson from a fish-wrap from New Brunswick called the Daily Gleaner.

In an off season of USHL defections, the Penticton Vees have won the Beau Bennett Sweepstakes.

Pursued by the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL and the Tri-City Storm of the USHL the coveted forward will make Penticton his home this Fall.

One of the top Midget Players in the States last year Beau racked up 105 points in 75 all purpose games with the Jr. Kings en route to a Pacific Regional Championship and a trip to the National Championships in Pittsburgh.

Bennett lead the Kings in scoring and is listed as a top prospect for the 2010 Entry Draft and will be a focal point for scouts following Junior in Western Canada.

He may hail from the Beach Boy state, but the California kid is more that comfy on ice.

“There’s big, and then there’s football big.”

That’s Head Coach and GM Fred Harbinson describing incoming rear-guard Luke Cuardi.

Curadi’s measurements are like stories of Sasquatch sightings, as the details can change depending who is telling the story. Luke’s reported height varies from 6′4 to 6′6, and he tips the scales in the 245 - 260 pound range. No matter what exactly the numbers are, the kid is ‘football big’.

After a season with the Hartford Jr. Wolf Pack of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League, Curadi got a chance to showcase his skill set at the New York Rangers prospects camp at the end of June.

Curadi had a scholarship lined up with U Mass, but has backed off from the decision to explore his options further as he develops in the BCHL.

Curadi is a physical force that likely needs a season or two in Canada’s top Jr. ‘A’ league to work on his craft. Comparisons to Kyle Bigos of the Vernon Vipers - who was drafted by the Oilers after a sound 19-year-old season - make a lot of sense with Curadi being perhaps a touch bigger, and more polished than Bigos when he entered the league. Being selected as an overage player in upcoming drafts wouldn’t be shocking, as players of Luke’s size are rare.

Any questions about the kid’s toughness (not the same as size) can be laid to rest with a few viewings of this piece of YouTube gold.

Not that impressed?? Well, that was an All-Star Game.

There may be a new sheriff in town.

Already the youngest team in the league, the Vees will add 16-year-old ‘AP’ defender Isaac MacLoed to the line-up on Friday Night.

The younger brother of former Vees Forward Alex MacLoed (who is playing at Michigan Tech this year), has suited up once with the Vees earlier this year and recorded an assist on November 21st in an 8-2 beating of the Trail Smoke Eaters.

MacLoed’s KIJHL team - the Nelson Leafs - has been running away from the field in the regular season. The Leafs have just 6 losses in 44 games… Impressive!

Isaac could be a big (6′4 and 185 lbs!) part of the Vees future should he choose to play Junior ‘A’ in Penticton next season.

Here’s a player profile with Brodie Reid that was done prior to his arrival in Penticton.

Half Man, Half Bull, All World - Vees 17-year-old Forward Curtis McKenzie has been named to the CJHL Prospects Game in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

To say Curtis has had a successful season to this point, may be the understatement of the year. McKenzie currently leads the Vees in goals (13), and points (28) in just 22 games played, earned a ‘full-ride’ scholarship to Miami of Ohio earlier this season, won a Silver Medal with Team Canada West at the World Jr. ‘A’ Challenge, has been named an ‘A’lternate Captain of the Vees, leads all ‘91 born players in BCHL scoring, is tied for the league lead with 4 Short-Handed Goals, and is currently on the NHL watch list as a ‘B’-Grade Prospect for the ‘09 Entry Draft.

Add the CJHL Prospects Game to his long list of accomplishments this season, and expect a BCHL All-Star appearance in Vernon as well!

Way back in the Pre-Season I was expecting big things from C-Mac, and he has obliterated even my lofty expectations.

He should have ran for Prime Minister!

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The quality of the audio is not great, my apologies.

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