PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees are pleased to announce defenceman Mason Poolman (’02) has committed to the University of St. Thomas for the 2023-24 season, the team announced Monday.
Poolman, 20, is in his second and final season with the Vees. The product of East Grand Forks, MN has recorded six assists in 15 games this season. Last year, Poolman had 11 points (1G, 10A) in 32 regular season games. He had a pair of assists in seven playoff games last spring, helping the Vees capture their 13thFred Page Cup in franchise history.
Before arriving in Penticton, Poolman was a forward with the Austin Bruins in the NAHL. The younger brother of former Vee Colton Poolman, converted to a defenceman at the onset of last season and has never looked back.
With Poolman’s commitment to St. Thomas, the Vees now have six of their seven defencemen committed to college programs. He is the 17th player on the Penticton roster to commit to an NCAA Division l program.
Poolman will play his college hockey close to home, as the University of St. Thomas is in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Tommies play in the eight-team Central Collegiate Hockey Association. St. Thomas’ hockey program was promoted to the NCAA Division l level before the 2021-22 season.
The Penticton Vees (16-0-0-0) look to keep their perfect record intact this weekend. The Vees host the Vernon Vipers on Remembrance Day at the SOEC; puck drop is 7:00 pm. Saturday the Vees visit the Trail Smoke Eaters.
