The Penticton Vees Jr A Hockey Club is pleased to announce the hiring of Jason Becker as the club’s new assistant coach for the 2016-2017 season.
The hiring of Becker was necessitated by the unexpected resignation of Nick Fuher early last week. After 2 season’s with the club, Fuher has joined an academy in Winnipeg.
Becker joins the Vees from the Okanagan Hockey Academy, where he spent the past two seasons. Prior to that, Becker was an assistant coach for the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars.
After a five year Western Hockey League career as a defenceman, Becker would join the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for 5 seasons, before embarking on a 9 year professional career that would see him suit up in nearly 450 games, mostly over sea’s.
“When Nick decided to leave the club, we immediately focused on Jason.” said Vees President, General Manager & Head Coach Fred Harbinson. “Ownership afford me the opportunity to hire an experienced coach, and we didn’t feel the need to search elsewhere, or publicly state we were looking for someone, I felt right from the get go that Jason would be a tremendous fit for us.”
Becker, who calls Penticton home with his wife, and two children couldn’t be more excited to join Harbinson and the Vees staff. “I’m very honoured and excited to be joining the Vees organization. It’s a team filled with a rich history, and this is a very important season as we host the Western Canada Cup, I can’t wait to get started and meet the players.” said Becker.
Harbinson, Becker, and the rest of the Vees staff will welcome the newest crop of Vees back to Penticton in the coming weeks, with training camp opening on August 22nd at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
