The Penticton Vees remake continues as they were involved in a three-team trade to acquire veteran defenceman Mitch Meek.
The Vees acquired Meek on Monday from the Cowichan Valley Capitals. To make the deal work, the Vees sent forward Darius Davidson (96) to the Surrey Eagles for future considerations. The Vees then flipped those future considerations to Cowichan Valley.
“We were in need of an experienced, veteran defenceman and he being a right-handed shot was the perfect fit for us,” said Vees general manager and coach Harbinson in a team statement. “We’re excited to have him on our blueline next season.”
Meek brings experience as the Victoria native has played four seasons in the BCHL with Cowichan Valley, Vernon and Victoria. This past season he set career highs in assists (26) and points (31), helping the Capitals get back to the BCHL playoffs for the first time in four years. In 193 career regular season games in the BCHL, the 20-year-old has 15 goals and 72 points. The six-foot, 200 pounder has also played in 38 Fred Page Cup playoff games, including facing the Vees in the 2015 Interior Final, when he was with Vernon. Meek is commited to attend Clarkson University in 2017.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to come to an organization with such a great reputation like the Vees and competing for an RBC Cup,” said Meek, adding he looks forward to putting on the Vees jersey. “I can’t wait to get to Penticton and get things going.”
Davidson, 20, spent the 2015-16 season between Penticton and Surrey. In 51 games Davidson collected 14 goals and 30 points.
The Vees’ roster is also being filled out with more offence with their three newest recruits. The Vees turned to Regina Pat Canadians and CAC Edmonton Canadians to snag Ty Barnstable, Turner Ripplinger and Cory Babichuk, the club announced Monday.
“All three had very productive seasons within their respective midget leagues and we are thrilled to add young talented pieces to our lineup for the upcoming season,” said Harbinson.
Barnstable and Ripplinger, 17, played with the Canadians in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL). Barnstable hand a banner year and was named the SMAAAHL MVP, Top Forward and to the league’s First All-Star Team. The winger had 22 goals, 31 assists for 53 points in 43 games. He led Regina in scoring and finished second in the league in assists and fifth in the scoring race; he had another four goals in six playoff games. Two seasons ago Barnstable and current Vee Owen Sillinger, won the SMAAHL championship and helped guide Regina to a third-place finish at the Telus Cup, the national midget championship.
Canadians GM John Smith compares Barnstable to Sillinger offensively. Barnstable, who is listed at five-foot-10 and 165 pounds on the Canadians website, is very good with and without the puck, said Smith, adding he isn’t afraid to block shots.
“He does all the stuff the same that we used to think of Owen,” said Smith.
Ripplinger finished right behind Barnstable in team scoring with 22 goals and 46 points in 43 games; he finished 10th in league scoring. Ripplinger, who also plays the wing, turned heads at the Mac’s AAA Hockey Tournament in Calgary in December, as the tournament scoring leader. Ripplinger, listed at five-foot-nine, 160 pounds, was a point per-game player in the playoffs for the Canadians, notching six assists in as many games. Ripplinger split two seasons of midget hockey in Saskatchewan between Regina and Moose Jaw. In 86 games he tallied 34 goals and 77 points.
“Turner and Ty, if you need something done, lots of times they don’t have to be asked,” said Smith. “They just see what has to be done and get it done. They don’t wait for the coach to tell them to do something. They will get it done.”
Offensively, Smith said Barnstable is a bit better as Ripplinger has to work for what he gets.
“As long as he’s working hard, he makes things happen,” said Smith of Ripplinger.
Turner Ripplinger (29) is described as a hard worker and a strong penalty killer by Canadians GM John Smith.
Ripplinger, who also plays the wing, turned heads at the Mac’s AAA Hockey Tournament in Calgary in December, as the tournament scoring leader. Ripplinger, listed at five-foot-nine, 160 pounds, was a point per-game player in the playoffs for the Canadians, notching six assists in as many games. Ripplinger split two seasons of midget hockey in Saskatchewan between Regina and Moose Jaw. In 86 games he tallied 34 goals and 77 points.
Babichuk is also entering his 18-year-old year and hails from Edmonton. The rear-guard played the past two seasons in the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL) with the CAC Edmonton Canadians. Babichuk captained his team and collected 21 points in 30 games. His strong play at the midget level has already landed him an National Collegiate Athletic Association Division l commitment to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and as of now, is scheduled to enroll in the fall of 2017. Former Vees that have played for the RPI Engineers include Luke Curadi, Bo Dolan and Louie Nanne.
Barnstable, Ripplinger and Babichuk will attend the Vees main training camp in August.
