The Penticton Vees Jr. A Hockey Club has traded defenceman David Eccles (96) to the Nanaimo Clippers for future considerations, the team announced Wednesday.
The Vees were forced to make the move with fellow 20-year-old defenceman Gabe Bast coming off the Injured Reserve; the team was sitting at seven 20-year-olds on their roster, one over the BCHL maximum.
President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson says it was a hard move to make, “This was an extremely difficult decision, but it ultimately came down to a numbers game. David is a tremendous young man, who will be missed but we’re happy we can send him to a great organization in the Clippers. I know Mike Vandekamp is thrilled to have a player of his quality and character, and I know he’ll be a key piece for them moving forward.”
Eccles, 20, played parts of two seasons in Penticton, appearing in 73 career regular season games, picking up a pair of goals and 13 points, to go along with 23 penalty-minutes, playing in a primary shutdown role; he also played in all 11 of the Vees’ playoff games last spring. The Ancaster, Ontario, product came to Penticton in September of last season, after playing with the Carleton Place Canadians in the Central Canadian Hockey League (CCHL). Eccles helped the Canadians to berth in the Final of the 2015 RBC Cup in Portage, Manitoba.
The Vees organization would like to thank David for his contributions to the team on and off the ice in the past two seasons, and wish him all the best in his future with the Clippers.
Penticton (17-3-0-0) hosts the Coquitlam Express (6-13-2-0) tonight at the SOEC at 7 PM. It’s another “Wicked Wednesday,” as tickets are just $5 for adults and seniors and draft beer is only $3.75. Fans can get their tickets at the Valley First Box Office.
