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Vees acquire Silye, Crozier from Nanaimo for Mitchell

Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees would like to announce they’ve acquired 1999-born forward David Silye and 2000-born defenceman Max Crozier from the Nanaimo Clippers in exchange for 1998-born forward Marcus Mitchell.

Silye will join the Vees while Crozier has previously committed to the USHL for the 2018-19 season.

Silye, from Arnprior, Ontario, finished his second season in Nanaimo by blowing away his rookie season point totals. In 54 games, the 5’9’’, 170-pound forward scored 10 goals and 31 assists after posting eight goals and 10 assists in 52 games in 2016-17. He then scored three times and added an assist in six playoff games. He is committed to Clarkson University for the 2019-20 season.

“The addition of David Silye gives us stability through the middle,” Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said. “In addition to being a gritty centre who can kill penalties, David hit his stride 

offensively scoring 36 points in the last 34 games of the season. He’s secured a scholarship to Clarkson where many former Vees have gone on to play.”

Crozier, from Calgary, wrapped up his rookie season in the BCHL with six goals and 23 assists in 49 games. He is committed to Providence for the 2019-20 season.

“Max Crozier is an elite two-way defenceman who had a strong rookie season in Nanaimo,” Harbinson said. “We were made aware prior to the transaction that Max was looking to go to the USHL prior to moving on to Providence. We are hopeful Max will take time to re-evaluate his decision, nobody would blame him now that we’ve obtained his rights. This would give him an opportunity to play for Team Canada at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge and follow in the footsteps of some of the outstanding defenceman we have developed in the past such as Jonny Tychonick, Gabe Bast, Dante Fabbro Troy Stecher, Joey Laleggia and Mike Reilly, just to name a few.”

Mitchell, from Kelowna, was acquired at the trade deadline last season from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. In 24 regular season games he scored four goals with six assists before six goals and five assists in 11 playoff games.

“Marcus is an outstanding kid who will add leadership and toughness to Nanaimo,” said Harbinson. “We with him the best of luck moving forward.”

The Vees would like to welcome David and Max to the team.