Brady Reagan helped the Okanagan Hockey Academy bantam team cruise to a 7-0 win over the Kamloops Blazers to win the Bantam AAA Prospect Showcase.
Reagan, a defenseman, scored two goals and had two assists to earn player of the game honours in the A final.
“Brady had a slow start to the tournament but definitely picked it up for that game. He led the team and did everything we asked of him. Brady was a leader and was just effective throughout,” said assistant coach Mack O’Rourke. “It was nice to see that he elevated his game for the championship. Everything he did was the right thing both offensively and defensively.”
Earning the shutout for OHA over Kamloops was Ethan Schovanek. O’Rourke also praised the play of first year bantams Taylor Ward and Beck Malenstyn.
“This tournament is big for the team because Christmas is a slow time for them so it keeps the whole team fresh. It also opened up a lot of exposure for the players. There were quite a few scouts in the building and there was elevated interest in several of our players after this week,” said O’Rourke.
Dixon Ward, vice president of OHA, said the tournament was also a great way to showcase what they offer.
“A lot of people were very impressed with the facilities we have here in Penticton and a lot of kids from Western Canada were introduced to the Okanagan Hockey Academy,” said Ward. “I talked to lots of people that were interested in getting more information on the academy and summer programs offered here.”
Tournament organizer Mike Elphicke said for so many other elite tournaments being held at this time of year in Burnaby, Edmonton, Seattle and Los Angeles, the teams recruited to Penticton turned out better than they thought.
“We were surprised by the calibre of play that is for sure. The reviews within the hockey community were very positive and we are hoping to bring better teams next year and keep growing that calibre of play,” said Elphicke, adding they have been offered the same time slot at the South Okanagan Events Centre for the next two years if they want it. “That is the long-term plan to bring it back at least for the next two years.”
Elphicke said at any given time there were 25 to 30 scouts watching in the stands.
“It was pretty busy days for them and the feedback they gave is that they really saw a lot of value in the tournament looking at first-year bantams that aren’t eligible for the draft this year. That ‘98 class of first-year kids stepped forward and really made the scouts pay attention. Several made quite the impression from what I heard,” said Elphicke.
