Photo: St. Sebastian’s School
PENTICTON BC. – The Penticton Vees Junior Hockey Club is pleased to announce the commitment of forwards Matthew Cataldo (’05) and Ben Merrill (’05) for the 2024-25 season, the team announced Tuesday.
The prep school standouts are teammates at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, Massachusetts.
Cataldo, 18, is the Captain of the varsity team at St. Sebastian’s and is second in team scoring with 20 points (7G, 13A) in 13 games. The Norfolk, Massachusetts, product sits second in goals and assists on his team. Last year, as a junior, Cataldo led St. Sebastian’s in scoring with 39 points (19G, 20A) in 27 games. The 5’11, 194 pound forward is committed to Brown University.
Merrill, 18, is a prospect for the 20204 NHL Draft. The 6’4, 195-pound center is ranked 103rd for North American Skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings. He’s projected as a fourth-round pick. The Hingham, Massachusetts, products has posted 14 points (7G, 7A) in 13 games this season. A season ago, Merrill tallied 24 points (11G, 13A) in 27 games. Merrill is committed to Harvard.
The St. Sebastian’s School Arrows play in the 16-team Independent School League.
The Vees organization looks forward to welcoming Cataldo, Merrill, and their families to Penticton and the South Okanagan next season.
NEXT GAME: The Vees (24-6-2-2) are off this week, as Penticton plays host to the BCHL All-Star Weekend January 19-20, at the SOEC and the downtown community rink. The BCHL Top Prospects Game goes Friday, January 19th, at the SOEC. The All-Star tournament is set for Saturday, January 20th, at the outdoor community rink.
