The Penticton have added playoff experience to their defence with the acquisition of David Eccles (96).
The Vees announced Monday they picked up Eccles from the Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Hockey League for Tyler Niven (96) and the CJHL playing rights of Ryan Coghlan (95). Coghlan was picked up on waivers from Nanaimo.
“David is a seasoned blue-liner who’s played at the highest level in the RBC Cup and experience like that is invaluable,” said Vees coach-general manager Fred Harbinson in a team statement. “His size will be a welcome addition to our backend, especially in a very competitive Interior Division.”
Eccles played last season for the Carleton Place Canadians, who faced the Vees in the semifinal of the RBC Cup in Portage la Prairie, Man. Eccles and the Canadians lost in the championship game to the host Portage Terriers.
Eccles is six-foot-three, 205 pounds and brings championship experience having won the Canadian Central Hockey League (CCHL) with the Canadians. In the regular season, Eccles had five points in 26 games after starting the season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. In the CCHL playoffs, Eccles matched his regular season total in 15 games as the Canadians won back-to-back CCHL titles. The Ancaster, Ont., product was a key contributor on the blueline as the Canadians were the East Region championship, the Fred Page Cup and then advanced to their second straight RBC Cup Final.
Prior to joining Carleton Place, Eccles played parts of two seasons in the OHL, splitting time between the Sudbury Wolves and Sault St. Marie, picking up a pair of assists in 29 career games.
Niven, 19, was acquired by the Vees late last month from the Langley Rivermen for forward Mitch Newsome. Prior to playing in the BCHL, the Brunswick, Maine, product played three seasons at the Governor’s Academy in Massachusetts.
