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Bast is Back: Veteran Defenceman Returns for 16-17; Named Assistant Captain

The Penticton Vees confirmed Wednesday that veteran defenceman Gabe Bast (96) will return for the 2016-17 season. The University of North Dakota commitment registered six points in eight games this season, as he missed the majority of the year with a lower-body injury.

The Red Deer, Alberta, product had 40 points in 49 regular season games in 2014-15, en route to being named the Vees’ Top Defenceman. Bast had another 13 points in 22 BCHL playoff games, helping the Vees capture the 2015 Fred Page Cup and 2015 Western Canada Cup.

Bast will also wear a letter next season, as the team named him an Assistant Captain, joining Nic Jones (96) as part of the Vees’ leadership group. Jones was anointed the team’s Captain back in April.

The Vees’ annual Spring Camp kicks-off tomorrow with fitness testing and runs right through Sunday at the SOEC. Six teams of prospects will play two games a day in front of the Vees’ brass. President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson told the Penticton Western News it’s a chance for younger players to make an impression.

“There are opportunities to get an invite to our main camp in August,” Harbinson said. “But we’re really looking to build our affiliate list for next year. Over the past few years, probably 85 per cent of the players who have played for the Vees attended our spring camp.”

Follow the Vees Twitter account @PentictonVees for coverage of this year’s installment of Spring Camp.