Thursday, June 28, 2012 - Submitted by Fraser Rodgers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 28th
VEES SIGN TWO; NAME CAPTAIN PENTICTON, BC– The Penticton Vees Hockey Club is pleased to announce the commitments of forwards Bradley McClure (93) and Mike Rebry (93). Both come from the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
18 year-old McClure spent the past three seasons playing for his hometown Stratford Cullitons. McClure led the Cullitons in scoring this past season, fashioning together 78 points in 51 games, including finishing second in league goal-scoring with 45 tallies. In 144 career games in the GOJHL, McClure amassed 95 goals and 162 points. McClure had 12 points in 13 playoff games this past spring, pushing the Cullitons to the Mid-Western Conference Final.
Rebry also 18 just completed a successful rookie season with the Brantford Golden Eagles. The Clear Creek, Ontario product led the Eagles in scoring, putting together 28 goals and 58 points in 48 games last season. Rebry had a breakout performance in the playoffs, leading the Eagles to the Ontario Jr. ‘B’ Championship Final. In 29 post-season games, Rebry racked up 14 goals and 24 points on his way to being named one of three Ontario Hockey Association Top Prospects award recipients.
Vees Head Coach & GM Fred Harbinson says the two signings address a need for the upcoming season, “We knew we had to address the departure of a great deal of offense out of our lineup.Both Brad and Mike are players who will bring a high skill set to our program. Brad has a track record of scoring goals something that is not easy to find. Mike is a player that exhibits high end speed along with a desire to play in the trenches.”
The Vees also announced Troy Stecher as their Captain for the 2012-2013 season. Stecher, 18, will return for his third season for the Vees, before heading to the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2013.
The Richmond native was an Assistant Captain for the Vees last season, which was a banner year for the rear-guard. Stecher registered career highs in both regular season and playoff scoring. Stecher picked up 42 points in 53 and won a gold medal with Team Canada West at the WJAC. He had a memorable post-season as well, chipping in 15 points in 26 playoff games, and was named the top defenseman at the RBC Cup in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.
Stecher says its humbling knowing the company he’s joining by being named Captain, “It truly is an honour to have the ‘C’ on my jersey this upcoming season, knowing the tradition and history involved with the Vees.” “This is one of the reasons why I came back, to be a leader both on and off the ice. It’s a big step but one I look forward to.”
Harbinson says the decision was simple, “Troy has grown leaps and bounds as not only a hockey player but as a young man. Given the fact he is only 18 years-old speaks for his maturity and leadership capabilities.”
The Vees organization would like to welcome both Mike and Brad to the team and congratulate Troy on his captaincy.
CONTACT: FRASER RODGERS Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations Penticton Vees Hockey Club FraserRodgers@gmail.com (250) 809-1390
