Tomorrow night in Westside the Penticton Vees open the BCHL season as the defending Champions (for the first time in 22 years). While last season was one of great achievement, this year’s Vees are a very different looking club. Here’s an early look at the squad that will try to go back-to-back with just 8 returning players.
DEFENCE
RETURNEES: Devon Krogh has elected to play one more season in the BCHL before joining Cory Schneider and Zac Dalpe at Ohio State University. Last year Brett Hextall made great strides in his development by delaying his college career by a season, and with more time on the ice (and on the Power-Play) Krogh should too. Zack Josepher was awfully close to nabbing a college commitment last season. If he builds on a strong rookie season last year, he could have his pick of a few colleges looking to secure his rocket of a point shot. Zack was leading the BCHL in goals by among defenders mid-way through last season. Tough-as-nails Eli Grossmann has been moved back to the blue-line for the upcoming season and will provide grit and physicality.
LOSSES: Defencemen and childhood pals Nic Knudsen and Michael Hengen are both ineligable to play junior as they are both 21 this season. The Beast (Knudsen) will suit up for Concordia University in Montreal (how do you say beast in French??), while Hengen is playing Pro in Germany with Bremerhaven (Division 2). Also gone from the back end is James Bettauer, who was used sparingly as a 16-year-old after the mid-season additions of Knudsen and Westover. Bettsy has elected to play in Chilliwack who have his rights in the WHL, and thus has burned his NCAA eligibility. Last year’s Alternate Captain, Ryan Wagner, will be missed. The Weyburn Warrior provided steady play (perhaps the most consistant on the team) and a veteran presence.
ADDITIONS: Matt Paltridge adds all kind of skill to the Vees blue-line. Partridge played parts of the last two seasons with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, but played the bulk of last year with the Tecumseh Chiefs (Ontario Jr. ‘B’). Paltridge is ultra mobile and makes smart decisions with the puck. Rajan Sidhu was recruited from the Richmond Sockeyes of the PIJHL (BC Jr. ‘B’) where he recorded 2 goals and 19 assists in 37 games. One of two 16-year-old on the club is Colton Jobke of Trail, BC, who I am told is related to Canadian Slugger Jason Bay of the Boston Red Sox.
FORWARDS
RETURNEES: Curtis MacKenzie, Anthony Perdicaro, Vinny Muchalla and Mitch Labreche are the only regulars returning from last year. C-Mac has looked unbelievable in pre-season and Perdicaro is in better shape now than he was all last season, making him a stride or two quicker this year. Mitch Lebreche is 18 this season and is looking very comfortable and as quick as ever, while Vinny Muchalla will be looked to for experience and toughness as he has played in a Doyle Cup and RBC Cup in the last two seasons.
LOSSES: Yikes, this is a long list! Gone are Guzzo (Curry College), Hextall (North Dakota), Dalpe (OSU), Schneider (OSU), Smith (Colgate), Nill (Michigan State), Kroshus (Harvard) and McMurphy (21 this year). While moving on to the OHL is Denver Manderson, who was penciled in as the top centre for this season at the end of last year. Tons of offense here that will be missed (top 8 forwards in points last season). What a graduating class though!
ADDITIONS: Let’s Start with the Ontario Posse. Travis Ouellette and Ryan Viselli will be team-mates again this year. The duo played in Tecumseh, ON for the Chiefs (with Matt Paltridge) and helped win a Western Ontario Junior ‘B’ Championship there last season. Also from Upper Canada is Brent Vandenberg who notched 35 goals in the OPJHL (Ontario Jr. ‘A’) last season with the Burlington Cougars (insert scoring with Cougars joke here). These three will be relied upon for scoring, grit and importing maple syrup. Also new upfront are Americans Matt Tinordi (yes he is the son of Mark, who spent the majority of his career wearing antique jerseys (North Stars and eagle-less Capitals)) and Joey Holka. Both remain a bit of a mystery to me at this point but will line up in the 3rd and 4th trios upfront. Trading the pompoms for a roster spot is local power forward Logan Johnston. The 17-year-old was added to the Vees expanded roster last year in the playoffs, and practiced with the team down the stretch, but wasn’t used in the post-season. Also new upfront are former Doyle Cup foe and Camrose native David Andreassen (who has played in the RBC Cup in each of the last 2 seasons), Brad Reid who was acquired from Victoria (where younger brother Cam remains), diminutive Midget phenom Garrett Milan, and lanky 16-year-old Ryan Johansen.
GOALTENDING
RETURNEES: None. The only constant will be affiliated keeper Andrew Walton in Castlegar.
LOSSES: Off to Colgate with Austin Smith is BCHL goalie of the year Alex Evin. He was dominant in his 20-year-old season and should shine at the NCAA level. Bryan Mountain and his tidy numbers as the Vees back-up last season were moved to the Portage Terriers of the MJHL (Manitoba Jr. ‘A’).
ADDITIONS: Midget Stud Sean Bonar committed to being the Vees Goalie of the future last season on a visit late in the season. The 17-year-old is as hardworking, talented and professional as you will find. That being said, the jump from Major Midget to Junior ‘A’ is a large one. Also new to the club is Anthony Borelli who is 19-years-old this season and played at Salisbury Prep last year in the States. The two have both played well in the pre-season, but neither has separated himself as the go to guy as of yet. The two rookies will likely split time for the first months of the season.
Here’s Fred Harbinson after Thursday’s practice
