Photo: Bradley Jones
Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees are pleased to announce the acquisition of 1999-born defenceman Jonathan Smart from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in exchange for future considerations.
Smart, from Kelowna, has been playing in the Western Hockey League since the 2015-16 season when he joined the Kelowna Rockets after being their first round pick, 22nd overall, in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.
Smart has since played for the Rockets, Regina Pats and most recently Kootenay Ice, recording 14 goals and 66 assists in 216 games. Last year he set a career high with six goals and 22 assists as he split the year with the Pats and Ice.
“Jonathan decided to leave the Kootenay Ice to be closer to home for personal reasons,” Vees head coach, general manager and president Fred Harbinson commented. “At that point we acquired his rights from Alberni who had listed him a few weeks prior. Jonathan has a smooth skill set and adds experience to our backend with over 200 WHL games under his belt.”
Prior to his WHL career, Smart played two years in Penticton at the Okanagan Hockey Academy at the bantam and midget levels. In 2014-15 Smart played with Vees alumni Taylor Ward and Griffen Mendel with OHA Prep White.
Smart will wear jersey number 20.
