The Penticton Vees Jr. A Hockey Club has acquired the CJHL playing rights to 1996-born forward Taylor Sanheim from the Portage Terriers, in exchange for 1998-born forward Ty Barnstable, the team announced Monday.
“Taylor is a hard-nosed, physical player, who brings plenty of experience with him and we feel those elements will help solidify our forward group as we gear up for what hopefully will be a long playoff run,” commented President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson.
Sanheim, 20, spent parts of the last three seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Calgary Hitmen, compiling 12 goals and 51 points in 132 career regular season games, to go along with 168 penalty-minutes. He also played in another 22 playoff games with the Hitmen, and helped them to a WHL Final appearance in 2015. In 18 games with Calgary this season, the Elkhorn, Manitoba, product had a pair of goals and seven points to go along with 34 penalty-minutes.
Before landing in the WHL, Sanheim played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, splitting his time between Portage and the Dauphin Kings. In 53 games he had 15 goals and 28 points in the 2013-14 season.
To make room for Sanheim on the roster, the Vees put 20-year-old defenceman Gabe Bast on a Junior B card, as he will affiliate with the Surrey Knights of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League. Bast has been limited to just six games this season due to upper and lower-body injuries.
Harbinson says trading a player of Barnstable’s quality wasn’t easy, “Ty had done everything we asked of him and he was a very popular teammate during his time here, and that speaks to his character and maturity. He’s going to an excellent program in Portage and we wish him all the best with the Terriers.”
In 34 games with the Vees Barnstable had four goals and nine points, to go along with 10 penalty-minutes. The Regina, Saskatchewan, native played with his hometown Pat Canadians in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL) last season. In 43 games, Barnstable had 22 goals and 53 points and was named the SMAAAHL MVP and Top Forward.
The Vees are back in action on Wednesday, January 4th, when they host the Trail Smoke Eaters at the SOEC; puck drop is 7 pm. It’s the first “Wicked Wednesday” of the season, as tickets are just $5 for adults and seniors and students and children (18 and under) are FREE, courtesy of Peter Bros. Construction. Fans can get their tickets at the Valley First box office (at the SOEC).
