Warriors secure 3 commitments for next season
The West Kelowna Warriors announced the commitments of forwards Mason Richey (2000) and Cole Wyatt (2000), along with defenceman James Philpott (2000) for the 2018-19 season.
Richey brings layers of offence, grittiness and leadership to the Warriors. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward spent three seasons with the Cariboo Cougars of the BC Major Midget League. Richey played in every game of the regular season through all three years with the Cougars, compiling a total of 120 regular-season games. In his final season, Richey led the Cougars in scoring with 26 goals and 64 points in 40 games while also accumulating 38 penalty minutes.
The Terrace native captained the Cougars squad that made it to the BCMML Championship for the second straight season. Richey is also no stranger to the B.C. Hockey League, playing in three games with the Warriors as an affiliate player during the 2017-18 season and picking up his first BCHL point on an assist in a victory in Wenatchee against the Wild on Jan. 12.
“Adding Mason to our program gives us a player who exudes the qualities of what it means to be a Warrior,” said Warriors coach and general manager Rylan Ferster. “Having had him spend some time with our team last season, we know he will be able to come in and feel comfortable right away.”
Wyatt impressed the West Kelowna coaching staff with his strong play at the Warriors’ spring camp in late April. The Sherwood Park, Alta., product played the last two seasons with the Northern Alberta Xtreme Midget Prep team in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL), amassing 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points in 34 games during 2017-18, adding 24 penalty minutes.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound forward helped his team with a goal and seven assists for eight points in the Xtreme’s five playoff games en route to the Midget Prep Championship. Wyatt also has some Junior-A experience, having played a game with the Spruce Grove Saints in the Alberta Junior Hockey League as an AP.
Philpott, at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, played for the midget 3A Calgary Buffaloes last season, producing three goals, 13 points and 24 penalty minutes in 34 games.