A pair of players, one of them very familiar to the Penticton Vees, will be joining the team this season.

Andre Ghantous helped the Trail Smoke Eaters get past the Vees in the second round of the playoffs last season, with his two goals and six assists in seven games, and will now skate in a Vees jersey.

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The forward was acquired by the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in April and was picked up by the Vees this week in exchange for forwards Henri Schreifels and Ryan Miotto.

“We felt we needed to get older as a team and this was a move that presented itself,” said Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson in a news release. “Andre is a proven scorer in the Interior Division over the past two seasons and was at his best in the playoffs. We’re excited to add him to our team.”

On Wednesday, the Vees announced the signing of free agent Brendan Harrogate from the Ontario Hockey League.

The 20-year-old has played in the OHL for the past three seasons with the Mississauga Steelheads and Oshawa Generals. At 6’1 and 187 pounds, the forward played 156 OHL games scoring 29 goals and 28 assists.

“This deal was made in conjunction with our trade with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs,” said Harbinson. “Brendan is a veteran who has a lot of junior hockey experience, including a trip to the OHL final with the Mississauga Steelheads. he will be a big addition to our forward group.”

Both players are expected to be in the Vees lineup on Friday when they visit the Merritt Centennials. The Vees will play their first game at home, at the South Okanagan Events Centre, on Saturday, Sept. 29 against the Bulldogs.

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