Penticton Vees
The Penticton Vees are a junior "A" ice hockey team from Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. They are a part of the British Columbia Hockey League. The junior Vees were founded in 1961, sharing the name of the senior hockey team, the Penticton Vees, and since resuming full league play after Covid 19, have repeated as BCHL League Champions in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
| Penticton Vees | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Penticton, British Columbia |
| League | British Columbia Hockey League |
| Division | Interior |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Home arena | South Okanagan Events Centre |
| Colours | Black, blue, and white |
| General manager | Fred Harbinson |
| Head coach | Fred Harbinson |
| Franchise history | |
| 1961–1963 | Penticton Junior Vees |
| 1964–1975 | Penticton Broncos |
| 1975–1979 | Penticton Vees |
| 1979–1990 | Penticton Knights |
| 1990–2004 | Penticton Panthers |
| 2004–present | Penticton Vees |
History
The Junior Vees were one of the inaugural teams in the Okanagan-Mainline Junior A Hockey League (OMJHL), launched in 1961. The league became the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL) in 1967.
Although it is commonly thought by many that the name "Vees" refers to "victory", the name actually represents the three types of local peaches (Vedette, Valiant and Veteren).[1]
The Vees were Mowat Cup champions in 1968, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, as well as in 1986, when they were also Centennial Cup champions. After 26 years since their last RBC Cup appearance, the Vees advanced to the championship game in the 2012 RBC Cup in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, defeating the Woodstock Slammers 4–3 on a goal by Joey Benik to win the Canadian National Junior A Championship.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Records as of 2019–20 season.[2]
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961–62 | 27 | 9 | 18 | 0 | — | 93 | 149 | 18 | 3rd, OMJHL | Lost in Semifinals, 1–3 (Rockets) | ||
| 1962–63 | 31 | 1 | 30 | 0 | — | 61 | 300 | 2 | 4th, OMJHL | Lost in Semifinals, 0–2 (default) (Rockets) | ||
| 1963–64 | Did not participate | |||||||||||
| 1964–65 | 30 | 11 | 15 | 4 | — | 104 | 159 | 26 | 3rd, OJHL | Lost in Semifinals, 1–4 (Kraft Kings) | ||
| 1965–66 | 30 | 15 | 14 | 1 | — | 145 | 113 | 31 | 3rd, OJHL | Lost in Semifinals, 1–4 (Buckaroos) | ||
| 1966–67 | 40 | 33 | 7 | 0 | — | 66 | 1st, OJHL | Fred Page Cup Champions, 4–1 (Buckaroos) | ||||
| 1967–68 | 40 | 30 | 8 | 2 | — | 218 | 123 | 62 | 1st | Won finals, won Mowat Cup, Won BC/Alb Championship, lost Abbott Cup | ||
| 1968–69 | 40 | 23 | 14 | 3 | — | 209 | 157 | 49 | 2nd | Lost in Finals | ||
| 1969–70 | 48 | 19 | 23 | 6 | — | 188 | 202 | 44 | 5th | Did not qualify | ||
| 1970–71 | 60 | 36 | 19 | 5 | — | 275 | 203 | 77 | 2nd | Did not compete in league playoffs, lost Doyle Cup | ||
| 1971–72 | 60 | 33 | 20 | 7 | — | 73 | 2nd | Lost in Finals | ||||
| 1972–73 | 62 | 41 | 18 | 3 | — | 314 | 232 | 85 | 2nd | Won finals, won Mowat Cup, won Doyle Cup, Lost Abbott Cup | ||
| 1973–74 | 64 | 38 | 24 | 2 | — | 310 | 280 | 78 | 3rd | Lost in Semi-finals | ||
| 1974–75 | 66 | 35 | 29 | 2 | — | 379 | 334 | 72 | 2nd | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 1975–76 | 66 | 27 | 36 | 3 | — | 302 | 337 | 57 | 6th | Lost in Finals | ||
| 1976–77 | 68 | 43 | 22 | 3 | — | 404 | 307 | 89 | 3rd | Lost in Finals | ||
| 1977–78 | 66 | 47 | 17 | 2 | — | 492 | 303 | 96 | 2nd | Forfeited Finals | ||
| 1978–79 | 62 | 23 | 37 | 2 | — | 263 | 310 | 48 | 10th | Did not qualify | ||
| 1979–80 | 60 | 41 | 18 | 1 | — | 350 | 240 | 83 | 2nd | Won finals, won Mowat Cup, lost Doyle Cup | ||
| 1980–81 | 56 | 35 | 20 | 1 | — | 267 | 227 | 71 | 2nd | Won finals, won Mowat Cup, lost Doyle Cup | ||
| 1981–82 | 48 | 43 | 5 | 0 | — | 364 | 130 | 86 | 1st | Won finals, won Mowat Cup, lost Doyle Cup | ||
| 1982–83 | 56 | 34 | 22 | 0 | — | 355 | 249 | 68 | 5th | Lost in Semi-finals | ||
| 1983–84 | 60 | 47 | 13 | 0 | — | 448 | 197 | 94 | 1st | Lost in Finals | ||
| 1984–85 | 52 | 47 | 5 | 0 | — | 498 | 193 | 94 | 1st | Won finals, won Mowat Cup, won Doyle Cup, Won Abbott Cup, lost Centennial Cup | ||
| 1985–86 | 52 | 44 | 8 | 0 | — | 433 | 195 | 88 | 1st | Won finals, won Mowat Cup, won Doyle Cup, Won Abbott Cup, won Centennial Cup | ||
| 1986–87 | 52 | 30 | 19 | 3 | — | 284 | 205 | 63 | 5th | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 1987–88 | 52 | 26 | 26 | 0 | — | 268 | 252 | 52 | 6th | Lost in Semi-finals | ||
| 1988–89 | 60 | 16 | 42 | 2 | — | 260 | 351 | 34 | 10th | Did not qualify | ||
| 1989–90 | 27 | 6 | 21 | 0 | — | 107 | 174 | 12 | 10th | Folded in season | ||
| 1990–91 | 60 | 13 | 44 | 3 | — | 245 | 358 | 29 | 10th | Did not qualify | ||
| 1991–92 | 60 | 38 | 20 | 2 | — | 321 | 277 | 78 | 3rd | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 1992–93 | 60 | 35 | 23 | 2 | — | 350 | 282 | 72 | 2nd | Lost in Semi-finals | ||
| 1993–94 | 60 | 40 | 17 | 3 | — | 341 | 261 | 83 | 3rd | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 1994–95 | 60 | 42 | 16 | 2 | — | 321 | 250 | 86 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Semi-finals | ||
| 1995–96 | 60 | 32 | 26 | 2 | — | 269 | 248 | 66 | 2nd in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 1996–97 | 60 | 31 | 27 | 2 | — | 285 | 236 | 64 | 3rd in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 1997–98 | 60 | 45 | 12 | 3 | — | 296 | 177 | 93 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Finals | ||
| 1998–99 | 60 | 33 | 22 | — | 5 | 230 | 197 | 71 | 3rd in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 1999–00 | 60 | 42 | 14 | — | 4 | 283 | 167 | 88 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 2000–01 | 60 | 48 | 10 | — | 2 | 280 | 166 | 98 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Semi-finals | ||
| 2001–02 | 60 | 32 | 21 | — | 7 | 222 | 209 | 71 | 2nd in Interior | Lost in Semi-finals | ||
| 2002–03 | 60 | 20 | 32 | 2 | 6 | 222 | 268 | 48 | 6th in Interior | Lost in Preliminary | ||
| 2003–04 | 60 | 22 | 28 | 1 | 9 | 178 | 237 | 54 | 7th in Interior | Did not qualify | ||
| 2004–05 | 60 | 25 | 26 | 2 | 7 | 180 | 193 | 59 | 5th in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals | ||
| 2005–06 | 60 | 41 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 245 | 137 | 88 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Finals | ||
| 2006–07 | 60 | 41 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 231 | 163 | 87 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Semi-finals | ||
| 2007–08 | 60 | 41 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 235 | 146 | 86 | 2nd BCHL | Won League | ||
| 2008–09 | 60 | 36 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 220 | 159 | 79 | 6th BCHL | |||
| 2009–10 | 60 | 48 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 284 | 143 | 100 | 2nd BCHL | Lost semi-finals | ||
| 2010–11 | 60 | 38 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 217 | 171 | 81 | 2nd, Interior | Lost Division Semi-finals | ||
| 2011–12 | 60 | 54 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 334 | 133 | 110 | 1st, BCHL | Won finals, won Doyle Cup, won Royal Bank Cup National Champions | ||
| 2012–13 | 56 | 35 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 197 | 137 | 75 | 1st, Interior | Lost finals (Eagles) | ||
| 2013–14 | 58 | 36 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 199 | 137 | 78 | 1st, Interior 3rd, BCHL | Lost division finals (Vipers) | ||
| 2014–15 | 58 | 44 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 216 | 115 | 93 | 1st, Interior 1st, BCHL | Won Fred Page Cup and Western Canada Cup | ||
| 2015–16 | 58 | 50 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 263 | 121 | 101 | 1st, Interior 1st, BCHL | Lost division finals (Warriors) | ||
| 2016–17 | 58 | 41 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 189 | 129 | 86 | 1st of, 6 Interior 3rd of 17, BCHL | Won Div. Semi-finals 3–4 (Centennials) Won Div. Finals 4–3 (Vipers) Won League Finals, 4–3 (Chiefs) BCHL Champions | ||
| 2017–18 | 58 | 40 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 216 | 130 | 86 | 1st of 7, Interior 1st of 17, BCHL | Won Div. Quarterfinals 4–0 (Express) Lost div. semi-finals 3–4 (Smoke Eaters) | ||
| 2018–19 | 58 | 37 | 16 | — | 5 | 200 | 143 | 79 | 1st of 7, Interior 3rd of 17, BCHL | Lost First Round, 2–4 (Capitals) | ||
| 2019–20 | 58 | 44 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 225 | 135 | 90 | 1st of 7, Interior 2nd of 17, BCHL | Won First Round, 4–1 (Warriors) Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2020–21 | 20 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 90 | 23 | 37 | 1st of 3, Penticton Pod 1st of 16, BCHL | Covid-19 "pod season" - no playoffs | ||
| 2021–22 | 54 | 43 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 256 | 123 | 89 | 1st of 9, Interior 1st of 18, BCHL | Won Div Quarterfinal, 4-1 (Smoke Eaters) Won Div. Semifinal 4-0 (Spruce Kings) Won Div. Finals 4-0 (Warriors) Won League Finals 4-0 (Clippers) Fred Page Champions | ||
Western Canada Cup
Western Canada Cup was the Western Canada Junior A Championship held from 2013 to 2017. The champions from the AJHL, BCHL, MJHL, SJHL, and a host team competed in round-robin tournament. After the round-robin, the first and second place team played for championship, the loser then played a runner-up g game against the winner of a third vs. fourth semifinal game. The champion and runners-up would then qualify to compete for the RBC Cup and the National Junior A Championship.
| Year | Round-robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Championship game | Runner-up game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | W, Spruce Grove Saints 11–3 W, Fort McMurray Oil Barons 6–0 W, Melfort Mustangs 3–1 L, Portage Terriers 2–3 | 3–1–0 | 1st of 5 | — | W, Portage Terriers 4–3 Champions | — |
| 2017 Host | OTW, Battlefords North Stars 2–1 OTL, Brooks Bandits 1–2 L, Chilliwack Chiefs 2–4 W, Portage Terriers 5–3 | 1–1–1–1 | 3rd of 5 | W, Battlefords North Stars 4–0 | — | W, Chilliwack Chiefs 3–2 |
National Junior A Championship
The National Junior A Championship, formerly known as the Royal Bank Cup from 1996 to 2018, is the annual championship tournament for Hockey Canada's junior A hockey leagues. Depending on the year, various regional champions, qualifiers, and hosts participate in the championship tournament. The tournament usually consists of opening in a round-robin with the top four teams then advancing to a semifinal were the winners compete a championship game.
| Year | Round-robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Championship Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | L, Soo Thunderbirds 1–2 OTL, Humboldt Broncos 2–3 W Woodstock Slammers 2–1 W, Portage Terriers 3–1 | 2–1–1 | 3rd of 5 | W, Soo Thunderbirds 3–0 | W, Woodstock Slammers 3–2 National Champions |
| 2015 | L, Portage Terriers 2–3 W, Melfort Mustangs 4–0 W Carleton Place Canadians 4–3 W, Soo Thunderbirds 5–2 | 3–1–0 | 2nd of 5 | L, Carleton Place Canadians 1–2 (2OT) | — |
| 2017 | OTL, Brooks Bandits 1–2 OTW, Cobourg Cougars 3–2 W, Trenton Golden Hawks 4–0 L, Terrebonne Cobras 1–3 | 1–1–1–1 | 4th of 5 | L, Cobourg Cougars 1–3 | — |
NHL alumni
Forty-three alumni of the junior Penticton team have moved on to play in the National Hockey League.
In the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Bradly Nadeau was drafted in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes (# 30 overall) as the only first-round BCHL player selected and Aydar Suniev was selected #80 by Calgary Flames. 19 2022-23 players have committed to NCAA Hockey teams, including the two NHL draftees.
Penticton Broncos (1964–1975)[3]
- Bruce Affleck, Tony Currie, Gary Donaldson, Reg Kerr, Dave McLelland, Vic Mercredi, Grant Mulvey, Bob Nicholson
Penticton Vees (1975–1979)[4]
Penticton Knights (1979–1990)[5]
- Rick Boh, Jim Camazzola, Ed Cristofoli, Neil Eisenhut, Ray Ferraro, Norm Foster, Brett Hull, Ian Kidd, Scott Levins, Derek Mayer, Joe Murphy, Scott Sharples
Penticton Panthers (1990–2004)[6]
- Mike Brown, Kyle Cumiskey, Paul Kariya, Duncan Keith, Chuck Kobasew, Rick Lanz, Brendan Morrison, Jason Podollan, Kevin Sawyer, Robbie Tallas, Tanner Glass, Matt Zaba
Penticton Vees (2004–present)
References
- "OGP | Custom Sports Products by Official Game Puck".
- BCHL Standings Archived 2011-01-19 at the Wayback Machine
- Penticton Broncos alumni search from legendsofhockey.net
- Penticton Vees (junior) alumni search from legendsofhockey.net
- Penticton Knights alumni search from legendsofhockey.net
- Penticton Panthers alumni search from legendsofhockey.net
