FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday September 21st
FIVE VEES NAMED TO TEAM CANADA WEST CAMP
PENTICTON, BC – The Penticton Vees will be well represented at next week?s Team Canada West Evaluation Camp at the SOEC in Penticton. Four current players and one member of the hockey operations have been invited to the camp that will help decide who will make the World Junior ?A? Challenge team from teams from across the four Western Provinces.
Brendan O?Donnell and Joey LaLeggia have been named to the event for the second year in a row, while Joel Rumpel and Mark MacMillan are making their Hockey Canada debuts.
MacMillan who is injured is listed on the roster despite being unavailable for the camp that runs September 27th and 28th at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The hope is that MacMillan will be back to full health for the event that runs in Penticton from November 8th to 14th.
The Vees led all BCHL clubs with four of the league?s fourteen players named to the camp. The Camrose Kodiaks who host the RBC Cup this season have five player named to the squad to lead all Western Canadian teams.
Vees Assistant Coach and Director of Hockey Operations David Small has been named to the Canada West staff. Small will serve as the Director of Hockey Operations for Team Canada West for the November event, and will assist the Canada West coaching staff with Evaluation Camp as well.
The Penticton Vees have had 9 alumni involved in the World Junior ?A? Championship in the event?s four years of existence.
Notable alumni who have participated include: Zac Dalpe, Beau Bennett, Brett Hextall, Sean Bonar, Deron Cousens, Trevor Nill, Denver Manderson, Curtis McKenzie and former bench boss Bruno Campese. Garrett Milan was invited to last season?s evaluation camp in Okotoks, AB.
Team Red and White will practice on Monday and Tuesday morning at 9:15 and 10:45 at the South Okanagan Events Centre, and the two sides will scrimmage at 7:30 PM. Practices are free to attend and the scrimmages are $5 for admission. Fans who have already purchased a 13-game, full-tournament package will receive complimentary tickets to the evaluation camp.
More information on the 2010 World Junior ?A? Challenge is available at HockeyCanada.ca
For tickets head to the SOEC box office during regular business hours or head to ValleyFirstTix.com
