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NEWS: Vees Acquire Stankowski & Ho In Pair Of Trades

PHOTO: Candace Ward/Calgary Hitmen

PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the acquisitions of goaltender Carl Stankowski (’00) and forward Tyler Ho (’00) in a pair of trades.

In the first transaction, the Vees acquired Stankowski from the Vernon Vipers in exchange for future considerations as part of a three-team trade. Goaltender Derek Krall (’99) heads from Penticton to the Powell River Kings in exchange for future considerations.

Stankowski, 19, comes to the Vees from the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League, where he played in three games to begin the 2019/20 season, posting a 3.30 goals against average and a .884 save percentage. The 5’9”, 169-pound netminder has played in 34 total WHL games between the Hitmen and Seattle Thunderbirds.

The Calgary, AB native burst onto the scene during the 2016/17 season with Seattle, playing in 7 regular season games before leading the Thunderbirds to a WHL Championship later that spring, posting a 2.50 GAA and .911 SV% in 20 playoff games. Stankowski also represented Canada at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2016 with Team Red with the tournament taking place in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

“These moves are more about a long-term plan rather than a reaction of a few losses,” said Vees Head Coach, General Manager and President Fred Harbinson, “Adding Carl Stankowski has many prongs; this allows us to give Derek Krall an opportunity to be a #1 goalie in the BCHL, in turn we open an overage spot and add a goaltender that has championship experience, which obviously will be important to us this year and next year in hosting the Centennial Cup.”

PHOTO: Doug Wescott

In the second transaction, the Vees acquired Ho from the Kanata Lasers of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) in exchange for future considerations.

Ho, 19, began the 2019/20 season with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL, playing in four games. The North Vancouver, BC native is a veteran of 80 WHL games split between the Blades and Vancouver Giants and is no stranger to the BCHL, scoring 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points in 33 games with the Vernon Vipers last season.

“Tyler Ho will give us depth and experience up front,” Harbinson continued, “Tyler played in the BCHL Final last April.”

The Vees would like to welcome Carl, Tyler and their families to the organization and the South Okanagan and would like to thank Derek for his time and contributions to the Vees and the City of Penticton.

The Vees cap off their three-game home stand with the first Wicked Wednesday of the season as the Trail Smoke Eaters come to Penticton. Puck drop at the South Okanagan Events Centre is set for 6:30 PM with tickets priced for just $5 and available for purchase at the SOEC Box Office or online at ValleyFirstTix.com.