Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees are pleased to announce they’ve appointed 1998-born defenceman James Miller as an assistant captain for the 2018-19 season. He joins Cassidy Bowes and Ryan Sandelin as assistants along with Massimo Rizzo as team captain.
Miller, from Spruce Grove, Alberta, enters his third season as a member of the Penticton Vees after returning from the NCAA ranks last season. 2018-19 will mark his fifth season of junior hockey.
Last season Miller scored twice and added eight assists in 20 games. In 2016-17 he scored six goals with 12 assists in 37 games before adding seven assists in all 21 playoff games, helping the Vees secure the Fred Page Cup.
“Being that we are a young team, it’s important to have veteran leadership that understands what it takes to be successful in the BCHL,” Vees head coach, general manager and president Fred Harbinson said. “James was an integral part of our 2017 championship. He has worked extremely hard this offseason to prepare for his final year in Penticton and will be a great influence in our room.”
Combining his two years with the Olds Grizzlys of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Miller has suited up for 147 regular season Junior ‘A’ games recording 15 goals and 45 assists.
Miller and his teammates open the season Friday when they travel to Langley to play the Rivermen at 7:15.
