PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees Hockey Club has acquired forward Dovar Tinling (‘03) and defenceman Ben Brunette (‘02) in a pair of moves, the team announced Friday.
The Vees acquired the playing rights to Tinling from the Hawkesbury Hawks in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), in exchange for future considerations. In a separate transaction, Penticton picked up Brunette from the Powell River Kings, for forward Liam Tanner (‘03) and future considerations. Tanner’s rights were acquired from the Chilliwack Chiefs to complete the Anthony Allepot (‘01) trade from January 3rd.
Tinling, 19, split last season between the University of Vermont and the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Pointe-Clair, QC, product suited up for 14 games with Vermont before finishing the 2021-22 season with the Buccaneers. In 39 games with Des Moines, Tinling posted 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points. The 5’11,” 180-pound forward is eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft and will be attending Philadelphia Flyers’ Development Camp later this summer.
“Dovar is an elite offensive talent that will be a big addition to our forward group. He’s a smart player and we feel he will play an important role in our lineup,” said Vees’ President, General Manager & Head Coach Fred Harbinson
Brunette, who turns 20 in August, played last season with the Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHL, but was limited to just 15 games due to injury. The 6’0,” 181-pound blueliner is no stranger to the BCHL, as he played the 2020-21 season with Powell River. In 20 games with the Kings, the North Bay, ON product posted four goals and six assists for 10 points. Brunette is committed to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
“Ben is a good, two-way defender that has a lot of potential now that he is fully healthy. We feel he will bolster our depth on the blueline for the upcoming season,” said Harbinson.
The Vees organization is excited to welcome Dovar and Ben to Penticton and the South Okanagan.
Season tickets are on sale for the 2022-23 season with rates as low as just $10 per game. Contact Director of Ticketing and Merchandise, Amanda Lysohirka, at amanda@pentictonvees.com for more information.
