Vees add more experience to bolster lineup
Former Oshawa General has arrived in Penticton and will debut on Friday
The average age of the Penticton Vees just went up significantly in the last two days. The Vees acquired a 20-year-old forward for the second time in 24 hours, signing free agent Brendan Harrogate from the Ontario Hockey League.
The Vees acquired veteran winger Andre Ghantous from Alberni Valley Bulldogs in exchange for forwards Ryan Miotto and Henri Schreifels on Tuesday.
Harrogate, from Chatham, Ont., has played in the OHL for the past three seasons with the Mississauga Steelheads and Oshawa Generals.
“He’s just a solid two-way guy with a lot of junior hockey experience, very similar to Connor Chartier a few years back,” said Vees president, GM and head coach Fred Harbinson. “He was part of two very successful teams and he won a championship with Mississauga a few seasons ago.”
The 6-foot-1, 187-pounder scored 10 goals and 25 points in 54 games last year after being moved from Mississauga to Oshawa.
Harrogate played 156 OHL games over the past three seasons, scoring 29 goals with 57 points. He added five goals and seven points in 22 playoff games.
Harbinson said Harrogate can play either wing or centre. With top centres Massimo Rizzo and Cassidy Bowes still out with injuries, it appears Harrogate will play in the middle — at least for the time being.
“We need a centre right now,” said Harbinson. “With him and Ghantous, we get closer to being able to put together four solid forward lines that are hard to play against.”
When asked if he is done dealing, Harbinson said it is a long way to the Jan. 10 trade deadline.
“What if somehow Rizzo can’t play?” he said. “It happened to us a few years ago with (defenceman) Gabe Bast. You’re always trying to improve the team.”
Rizzo is still working his way back from a lower-back injury sustained in off-season training.
“He’s making progress,” said Harbinson. “We’re hopeful of getting him and Bowes back by the end of (October).”
As for Harrogate, he arrived Wednesday night and will practice with the Vees today and play his first BCHL game Friday when the Vees visit the Merritt Centennials.
Ghantous may not get here in time for practice, but will arrive at some point today and will also be suiting up against Merritt.
On Saturday, the Vees (2-3-0) play their home opener — ironically against Alberni Valley — at 6 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
ICE CHIPS: Even with the signings of Ghantous and Harrogate, the Vees still have one 20-year-old spot open . . . . The Vees will be unveiling a new mascot at their home opener on Saturday . . . . The Vees are practising today at noon at Memorial Arena to prepare them for playing on the small ice surface of Merritt’s Nicola Valley Arena.