Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is proud to announce that three players, Massimo Rizzo, David Silye and Mason Snell, along with one staff member, equipment manager Brendon Kerr, will represent Team Canada West at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Bonnyville, Alberta December 9-16.
Rizzo, from Burnaby, is in his second season with the Vees after recording 13 goals and 26 assists in 50 games as a rookie last season. Named the Vees captain in May, Rizzo has posted three goals and 13 assists in 15 games since returning to the lineup. He missed the first 16 games of the season recovering from an offseason injury. He will attend the University of North Dakota next season.
Silye, from Arnprior, Ontario, is in his third BCHL season but first with the Vees. After scoring 61 points in 106 games as a member of the Nanaimo Clippers over the past two years, Silye currently sits second in scoring on the Vees with 40 points over the first 31 games of the season. He is committed to Clarkson University for next season.
Snell, from Clarington, Ontario, is also in his third junior season but first with the Vees. After two seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Whitby Fury and Wellington Dukes, Snell was acquired by the Vees and has been on the top defensive pairing since game one. He has two goals and 11 assists in 29 games while playing heavy minutes against opposing teams top players. He will attend Penn State University next season.
Also on the Team Canada West staff is Vees equipment manager Brendon Kerr. Kerr, from Thunder Bay, Ontario, is in his seventh season with the Vees and 10th in the BCHL after three years with the Powell River Kings.
2002-born forward Cole Shepard was also at the selection camp, but did not make the final roster.
Team Canada West is looking to win back-to-back gold medals, and their third in the last four seasons. Last year, defencemen Jonny Tychonick and Ryan O’Connell helped Canada West claim gold.
All five will miss the next four Vees games before returning in time for December 19 when Penticton hosts the Vernon Vipers.
