Vees’ Harbinson expecting extension soon
Though the Fred Page Cup BCHL championship series starts tonight, the Penticton Vees have long since turned their attention to the 2018-19 season.
The Vees are holding their annual Bantam Exposure Showcase on Saturday and Sunday at the OHS Training Centre rink and tying up some recruiting for next season’s squad.
And with just one year left on his own contract, Vees president, general manager and Fred Harbinson said he anticipates “that will be addressed over the next little bit here.”
Harbinson — who has enjoyed a wildly successful 11-year tenure with Penticton — is keen to return, though he always has carte blanche to move on if he wished to accept a move “up” as opposed to a “lateral” move within the B.C. Hockey League.
Harbinson guided the Vees to their second BCHL regular-season title in three years and an unprecedented seventh straight Interior Division pennant in 2017-18, before injuries contributed to a seven-game series defeat to Trail in the second round of the playoffs.
Majority owners Graham and Sue Fraser recently bought a house in Penticton and will be able to be closer to the team, though Harbinson said they are by no means “hands-on” type of owners.
“They bring so much positive energy, provide so much support and resources for us . . . but they hire people to do the job and they let them do their job,” said Harbinson. “I’ve said it a hundred times — they’re the best owners in junior hockey. I’ve got so much respect and admiration for them.”
Harbinson hopes to have all his assistant coaching and managing personnel back, but noted it’s still early. Steve Cocker is the assistant general manager, Jason Becker and Matt Fraser the assistant coaches, along with goalie coach Jesse Plewis and video coach Adam West.
“If other opportunities open up for the guys, we couldn’t be happier for them,” Harbinson said. “We want to help all of them get the maximum out of their careers.”
As for the players, Harbinson said the Vees should have a solid nucleus with 11 players in position to return.
“We should be a hungry team after falling short in the playoffs,” said Harbinson.
The coach acknowledged the Vees are also losing some significant talent — either the 20-year-olds aging out or players moving on to college careers.
“It’s the nature of the beast,” Harbinson said. “If you’re doing your job, you’re developing players and moving them on to the next level. A lot of teams in our division, like Vernon and Trail, are losing a lot of guys, too.”
Harbinson said he doesn’t expect the Vees, Vernon and others in the powerhouse Interior Division to take “massive” steps back.
“Teams like West Kelowna and Salmon Arm will improve with a lot of returning guys with experience under their belts,” said Harbinson. “Our division is always one of the best in Junior-A hockey. We wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Harbinson said the Vees are planning another state-of-the-team address that is open to the public at the South Okanagan Events Centre like they have done the past two seasons.
“It will probably happen in the next two weeks or so,” said Harbinson. “We’ll put a close on this past season, talk about the future, and maybe introduce a new recruit. It has gone over well the first few times we did it.”
The Vees will also hold their annual Spring Tryout Camp on May 24-27 at the SOEC. Harbinson said it is bigger than the Bantam camp, with enough players to form eight teams.
Several of those players will be granted invites to the Vees’ main training camp in August.
ICE CHIPS: Games 1 and 2 of the BCHL final go tonight and Saturday in Wenatchee, with the Wild taking on the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings. Both teams are in the final for the first time ever . . . . The Cyclone Taylor Cup provincial Junior-B championship started Thursday and wraps up Sunday with the bronze-medal game at 10 a.m. and the championship game at 1 p.m. Teams include the KIJHL-champion Kimberley Dynamiters, Delta Ice Hawks (PJHL), Campbell River Storm (VIJHL) and the host Richmond Sockeyes.