HEADER

Vees hire Brandon West as assistant coach

Photo credit: Garrett James

Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees are pleased to announce the hiring of Brandon West as an assistant coach with the club, effective immediately.

West, from Kelowna, has four years of head coaching experience at the BCHL level, most recently with the Surrey Eagles during the 2017-18 season. Over his four years as a head coach, West compiled a combined record of 91-77-12-16.

Last season West led the Eagles to the Mainland Division final where they lost to the Prince George Spruce Kings in seven games. It was the first time Surrey had advanced to the second round since they won the Fred Page Cup in 2013.

“Brandon will be a great addition to our already strong support staff,” said Vees head coach, general manger and President Fred Harbinson. “Our organization has always taken pride in the development of our players and Brandon’s experience will be a benefit to achieving our goals.”

West spent three seasons as the head coach of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks from 2014-2017, and was the associate head coach in 2013-14. Prior to his time in the BCHL, West was the head coach of the BCMML’s Okanagan Rockets from 2009-2011.

In the 2012-2013 season, West was an assistant coach for Team Canada Pacific at the World Under-17 Challenge, and will be behind the bench for Team Canada West at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge this year in Bonnyville, Alberta from December 9-15.

“This is a premiere organization not only within this league, but in hockey as well,” West said. “I’m very excited for this opportunity. It’s an honour to be here and I’m looking forward to it.”