The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce forward Mitch Newsome (97) has committed to Michigan Tech University for the fall of 2016.
Newsome, 17, is off to a good start in his rookie campaign with two goals and 12 points in 17 games.; his 10 assists is fourth best on the team. The Surrey, BC product came to the Vees this season via the Valley West Hawks of the BC Major Midget League (BCMML). Last year the gritty forward had 22 goals and 45 points and 98 penalty-minutes in 40 regular season games with the Hawks. In the playoffs Newsome added another five goals and nine points in five games. His Hawks lost to the Okanagan Rockets in a three-game semi-final series. Newsome actually scored his first BCHL goal last season with the Vees as an Affiliate Player in a game against Chilliwack.
Newsome is the thirteenth committed player on the Vees roster and joins teammate Demico Hannoun as future Huskies. Michigan Tech is off to a great start as they’re 6-0-0-0 overall and 4-0-0-0 in WCHA conference play; they’re coming off a sweep of Michigan last weekend.
The Vees also made a roster move Thursday, as they’ve signed forward Zach Funk (96) ahead of their Island Division road trip this weekend. Funk, despite being only 18 is in his third BCHL season. The Nanaimo, BC, product was with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for parts of three seasons, accumulating 15 goals and 35 points in 119 games. Last year the energy forward had a career high 10 goals in 58 games. Funk will wear number 67 and make his Vees debut Friday night, when they face the Victoria Grizzlies at the ‘Q’ centre.
Fans can tune into Friday’s contest on EZ Rock AM 800 starting twenty-minutes prior to face-off with the pre-game show. The game is also available via pay-per-view on www.fasthockey.com
