Pinnacle tryouts
The Penticton Pinnacles under-21 men’s team is holding its first tryout at Kings Park field number four on April 17. The tryout with new coach Tony Munoz will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Interested players are encouraged to come out and earn a spot on a team that offers the chance to play high caliber soccer against other B.C. teams in the Pacific Coast Soccer League.
BMX club opener
Penticton’s BMX club had a successful open house receiving support from local businesses and attracting new riders. The club officially opened its new season on April 7 with 20-plus riders. The club hits the track every Monday and Thursday with registration at 5:30 p.m. at Lion’s Park.
NHL playoffs at SOEC
The road to the Stanley Cup begins in earnest on Wednesday as the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks prepare to spoil an amazing season by the Vancouver Canucks. Chicago, bolstered by Penticton’s Duncan Keith, will be set on retaining their status as champions. The South Okanagan Events Centre invites anyone wishing to see the game Wednesday night on the Jumbotron for free. Doors to the SOEC will open at 6 p.m. with the game starting at 7 p.m. The Valley First Vault Bar and Grill will be open for dinner, snacks, and specially priced beverages.
Triathletes get spotlight
Penticton triathletes Jeff Symonds, Kevin Cutjar and Tracey McQuair have been recognized by Triathlon Magazine Canada for its 2010 Triathlete of the Year awards. Symonds gets the top nod in Long Distance Elite Men as he was the quickest Canadian at the Foster Grant Ironman World championship 70.3 clocking in at 3:49:45, placing 13th overall. He also won the Vancouver Half Ironman. Cutjar and McQuair were both recognized in the Ultra Distance category. At 44, Cutjar won Ultraman Canada in 21:49:45, trimming 1:10:50 from the course record. McQuair, 34, ran a women’s best 8:37:46 double marathon to win in 26:08:24 and placing
fifth overall.
NHL scouting ranks six BCHLers
NHL Central Scouting released its rankings for the top prospects. Among North American skaters, the BCHL has six with Victoria Grizzlies forward Joel Lowry the highest at 95, he’s followed by Destry Straight of the Coquitlam Express at 100, Westside’s Michael King at 126, Pearce Eviston of the Grizzlies at 169, then Ryan Renz of the Vernon Vipers at 195 and Joey Baker of the Trail Smoke Eaters at 197. This year’s NHL Entry Draft is slated for June 24 and 25 at Xcel Energy Centre in St. Paul, Minnesota.
BCHL Canadian team at Russian tourney
The BCHL has sent a team to compete in the 2011 Russian Invitational tournament. The following players make up the roster: in goal, Khaleed Devji (/Coquitlam Express), Kris Moore (Salmon Arm SilverBacks), on defence, Troy Paterson (Cowichan Valley Capitals), Justin Fillion (Victoria Grizzlies), Brandon Pfeil (Merritt Centennials), Mitch Jones (Surrey Eagles), Josh Manson and Jayson Reardon (Salmon Arm SilverBacks). Forwards are Brayden Jaw (Nanaimo Clippers), Evan Richardson (Victoria Grizzlies), Jake Charles, Austin Carroll and Malcolm McKinney (Coquitlam Express), RJay Berra (Prince George Spruce Kings), Mike Hammond, Brett Knowles, Bryce Gervais, Devin Gannon, David Killip and Jarryd Ten Vaanholt (Salmon Arm SilverBacks), head coach – Tim Kehler, Salmon Arm SilverBacks , assistant coach – Colin O’Hara, Salmon Arm SilverBacks. General Manager – Ron Paterson, Surrey Eagles.
