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Penticton Vees (WHL)

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This article is about the the WHL team established in 2025. For the BCHL team, see Penticton Vees. For the former senior men's team, see Penticton Vees (senior).

Penticton Vees
CityPenticton
LeagueWestern Hockey League
ConferenceWestern
DivisionB.C.
Founded2025 (2025)
Home arenaSouth Okanagan Events Centre
ColoursBlack, blue, and white
     
Owner(s)Graham Fraser
Mark Scheifele
Mike Richter
Joe Walters
Gord Kovacik
General managerFred Harbinson
Head coachFred Harbinson

The Penticton Vees are a Junior ice hockey franchise that will debut in the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the 2025–26 WHL season as an expansion team. The team will play its home games in the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton as part of the B.C. Division of the Western Conference.

Organization

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The franchise is operated by part-owner Graham Fraser, who also is the majority owner of the BCHL Penticton Vees since June 2008. The other ownership partners are Mark Scheifele, Mike Richter, Joe Walters and Gord Kovacik.[1] The team planned to have the same operations staff as the BCHL franchise, including head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson.[2]

The team will build its 50-player roster in part through participating in the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft, 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, and 2025 CHL Import Draft.[3] The expansion draft will take place on 7 May 2025, followed by the first round of the Prospects Draft the same day. The Vees were awarded fourth overall pick, as determined by a lottery. The U.S. Priority Draft will take place on 8 May, followed by the second round of the Prospects Draft. The Vees were awarded first pick in the second round.[4]

Arena

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The South Okanagan Events Centre is a 95,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility with 3 ice rinks, 5,000 seats and 27 luxury seats.[5] It opened in 2008 and is owned by the City of Penticton and managed by Oak View Group.[5]

History

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The team traces its history to 1961 when the Penticton Jr. Vees were a founding member of the with Okanagan-Mainline Junior "A" Hockey League (OMJHL).[6] Before joining the WHL as an expansion team in 2025, the Penticton Vees had been the name of a British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) franchise from 2004 to 2025.[2] With the establishment of the WHL franchise, the BCHL franchise was expected to relocate to another city.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "WHL adds Penticton, looks for ownership in Chilliwack". Sportsnet.ca. Rogers Sports & Media. 24 March 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Penticton Vees hockey team leaving BCHL to join Western Hockey League". CBC News. CBC/Radio-Canada. The Canadian Press. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Vees will pick fourth in WHL draft". Penticton Herald. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  4. ^ Shire, Taylor. "WHL draft lottery set for Thursday: Here's what you need to know". Regina Leader-Post. Postmedia. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b Tidcombe, Matt (24 March 2025). "WHL awards expansion franchise to Penticton Vees, launches franchise application process for Chilliwack". chl.ca (Press release). Calgary, Alta.: Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  6. ^ Ewen, Steve (23 March 2025). "WHL adding Penticton Vees next season and Chilliwack team for 2026-27". The Province. Postmedia. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  7. ^ "BCHL FAQ". bchl.ca. British Columbia Hockey League. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2025.

Sources

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