Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees Junior ‘A’ hockey club is pleased to announce the acquisition of 1997-born centre Dakota Boutin in a three-team deal involving the Melfort Mustangs and West Kelowna Warriors.
The Vees have sent the rights to James Miller to the Melfort Mustangs and defenceman Garrett Ewert has been moved to the West Kelowna Warriors.
Boutin, a native of Moosomin, Saskatchewan, has spent the last three seasons with the Mustangs scoring 57 goals and adding 84 assists in 150 games. He was part of back to back SJHL championships with the Mustangs in 2015 and 2016. He scored a goal along with two assists at the 2015 Western Canada Cup, helping the Mustangs reach the RBC Cup, and is committed to play at Northern Michigan University for the Wildcats next season.
“After evaluating our needs, the opportunity to add an experienced right-handed centre became available,” Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said. “Dakota has the experience of winning a Telus Cup in midget and back to back SJHL championships. He’ll create depth to our forward group and we are excited to get Dakota ready to play college hockey.”
Ewert dressed in one game as an affiliate with the Vees last season and played in two pre-season games this year. The Vees wish Garrett all the best with the Warriors and thank him for his contributions.
Boutin will practice with his new teammates this week before making his Vees debut in the season opener September 8 in Merritt.
