PHOTO: Jack Murray
PENTICTON, BC. –The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club are pleased to announce forward Matteo Costantini (’02) has been added to the team’s leadership group ahead of the 2020/21 season as an assistant captain.
Costantini, 17, is set to begin his first season in Penticton after a stellar year with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). The 6’0”, 174-pound forward produced 36 goals and 32 assists for 68 points in just 50 games over the 2019/20 campaign while adding 2 goals and 8 assists for 10 points in 6 playoff games.
The St. Catharines, Ontario earned many accolades in his first season of junior hockey, winning the OJHL’s Rookie of the Year and Top Prospect Award while being selected to the OJHL’s Second All-Star team. Costantini is also eligible for this year’s NHL Entry Draft, ranking 96thamongst North American skaters from the NHL’s Central Scouting department.
Costantini has shown his natural scoring ability all throughout his hockey career, scoring 34 goals and 35 assists for 69 points with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres U16 AAA squad before making the leap to Junior hockey. Costantini also secured his collegiate future, committing to the University of North Dakota a week ago.
“The more days that have gone by, it became very apparent that Matteo is deserving of wearing a letter here in Penticton,” stated President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson, “We have a strong leadership group each having their own attributes; starting tomorrow, it’s their team to lead.”
The Vees hit the ice for the first time to begin their 12-game Okanagan Cup exhibition tournament, kicking off Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans will not be permitted to be in attendance but the game will be streamed with a FREE audio link at mixlr.com/pentictonvees as well as on HockeyTV.com.
