# Penticton Vees

The Penticton Vees are a junior "A" ice hockey team from Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. They are a part of the British Columbia Hockey League. The junior Vees were founded in 1961, sharing the name of the senior hockey team, the Penticton Vees, and since resuming full league play after Covid-19, have repeated as BCHL League Champions in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

## History

The Junior Vees were one of the inaugural teams in the Okanagan-Mainline Junior Hockey League (OMJHL), launched in 1961. The league became the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL) in 1967.
The Penticton Vees were named for the Veteren, Valiant, and Vidette varieties of peaches grown in the Okanagan Valley.
The Vees were Mowat Cup champions in 1968, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, as well as in 1986, when they were also Centennial Cup champions. After 26 years since their last RBC Cup appearance, the Vees advanced to the championship game in the 2012 RBC Cup in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, defeating the Woodstock Slammers 4–3 on a goal by Joey Benik to win the Canadian National Junior A Championship.

## Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1961–62 | 27 | 9 | 18 | 0 | — | 93 | 149 | 18 | 3rd, OMJHL | Lost in Semifinals, 1–3 (Rockets) |
| 1962–63 | 31 | 1 | 30 | 0 | — | 61 | 300 | 2 | 4th, OMJHL | Lost in Semifinals, 0–2 (default) (Rockets) |
| 1963–64 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1964–65 | 30 | 11 | 15 | 4 | — | 104 | 159 | 26 | 3rd, OJHL | Lost in Semifinals, 1–4 (Kraft Kings) |
| 1965–66 | 30 | 15 | 14 | 1 | — | 145 | 113 | 31 | 3rd, OJHL | Lost in Semifinals, 1–4 (Buckaroos) |
| 1966–67 | 40 | 33 | 7 | 0 | — | | | 66 | 1st, OJHL | Fred Page Cup Champions, 4–1 (Buckaroos) |
| 1967–68 | 40 | 30 | 8 | 2 | — | 218 | 123 | 62 | 1st | Won finals Won Mowat Cup Won BC/AB Championship Lost Abbott Cup |
| 1968–69 | 40 | 23 | 14 | 3 | — | 209 | 157 | 49 | 2nd | Lost in Finals |
| 1969–70 | 48 | 19 | 23 | 6 | — | 188 | 202 | 44 | 5th | Did not qualify |
| 1970–71 | 60 | 36 | 19 | 5 | — | 275 | 203 | 77 | 2nd | Did not compete in league playoffs Lost Doyle Cup |
| 1971–72 | 60 | 33 | 20 | 7 | — | | | 73 | 2nd | Lost in Finals |
| 1972–73 | 62 | 41 | 18 | 3 | — | 314 | 232 | 85 | 2nd | Won finals Won Mowat Cup Won Doyle Cup Lost Abbott Cup |
| 1973–74 | 64 | 38 | 24 | 2 | — | 310 | 280 | 78 | 3rd | Lost in Semi-finals |
| 1974–75 | 66 | 35 | 29 | 2 | — | 379 | 334 | 72 | 2nd | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 1975–76 | 66 | 27 | 36 | 3 | — | 302 | 337 | 57 | 6th | Lost in Finals |
| 1976–77 | 68 | 43 | 22 | 3 | — | 404 | 307 | 89 | 3rd | Lost in Finals |
| 1977–78 | 66 | 47 | 17 | 2 | — | 492 | 303 | 96 | 2nd | Forfeited Finals |
| 1978–79 | 62 | 23 | 37 | 2 | — | 263 | 310 | 48 | 10th | Did not qualify |
| 1979–80 | 60 | 41 | 18 | 1 | — | 350 | 240 | 83 | 2nd | Won finals Won Mowat Cup Lost Doyle Cup |
| 1980–81 | 56 | 35 | 20 | 1 | — | 267 | 227 | 71 | 2nd | Won finals Won Mowat Cup Lost Doyle Cup |
| 1981–82 | 48 | 43 | 5 | 0 | — | 364 | 130 | 86 | 1st | Won finals Won Mowat Cup Lost Doyle Cup |
| 1982–83 | 56 | 34 | 22 | 0 | — | 355 | 249 | 68 | 5th | Lost in Semi-finals |
| 1983–84 | 60 | 47 | 13 | 0 | — | 448 | 197 | 94 | 1st | Lost in Finals |
| 1984–85 | 52 | 47 | 5 | 0 | — | 498 | 193 | 94 | 1st | Won finals Won Mowat Cup Won Doyle Cup Won Abbott Cup Lost Centennial Cup |
| 1985–86 | 52 | 44 | 8 | 0 | — | 433 | 195 | 88 | 1st | Won finals Won Mowat Cup Won Doyle Cup Won Abbott Cup Won Centennial Cup |
| 1986–87 | 52 | 30 | 19 | 3 | — | 284 | 205 | 63 | 5th | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 1987–88 | 52 | 26 | 26 | 0 | — | 268 | 252 | 52 | 6th | Lost in Semi-finals |
| 1988–89 | 60 | 16 | 42 | 2 | — | 260 | 351 | 34 | 10th | Did not qualify |
| 1989–90 | 27 | 6 | 21 | 0 | — | 107 | 174 | 12 | 10th | Folded in season |
| 1990–91 | 60 | 13 | 44 | 3 | — | 245 | 358 | 29 | 10th | Did not qualify |
| 1991–92 | 60 | 38 | 20 | 2 | — | 321 | 277 | 78 | 3rd | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 1992–93 | 60 | 35 | 23 | 2 | — | 350 | 282 | 72 | 2nd | Lost in Semi-finals |
| 1993–94 | 60 | 40 | 17 | 3 | — | 341 | 261 | 83 | 3rd | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 1994–95 | 60 | 42 | 16 | 2 | — | 321 | 250 | 86 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Semi-finals |
| 1995–96 | 60 | 32 | 26 | 2 | — | 269 | 248 | 66 | 2nd in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 1996–97 | 60 | 31 | 27 | 2 | — | 285 | 236 | 64 | 3rd in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 1997–98 | 60 | 45 | 12 | 3 | — | 296 | 177 | 93 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Finals |
| 1998–99 | 60 | 33 | 22 | — | 5 | 230 | 197 | 71 | 3rd in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 1999–00 | 60 | 42 | 14 | — | 4 | 283 | 167 | 88 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 2000–01 | 60 | 48 | 10 | — | 2 | 280 | 166 | 98 | 1st in Interior | Lost in Semi-finals |
| 2001–02 | 60 | 32 | 21 | — | 7 | 222 | 209 | 71 | 2nd in Interior | Lost in Semi-finals |
| 2002–03 | 60 | 20 | 32 | 2 | 6 | 222 | 268 | 48 | 6th in Interior | Lost in Preliminary |
| 2003–04 | 60 | 22 | 28 | 1 | 9 | 178 | 237 | 54 | 7th of 8, Interior 15th of 17, BCHL | Did not qualify |
| 2004–05 | 60 | 25 | 26 | 2 | 7 | 180 | 193 | 59 | 6th of 8, Interior 11 of 17, BCHL | Lost in Quarter-finals |
| 2005–06 | 60 | 41 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 245 | 137 | 88 | 2nd of 8, Interior 4th of 17, BCHL | Lost in Finals |
| 2006–07 | 60 | 41 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 231 | 163 | 87 | 1st of 9, Interior 1st of 17, BCHL | Lost in Semi-finals |
| 2007–08 | 60 | 41 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 235 | 146 | 86 | 1st of 8, Interior 1st of 16, BCHL | Won 1st round, 4-3 (Vipers) Won semi-finals, 4-0 (Warriors) Won finals, 4-0 (Clippers) |
| 2008–09 | 60 | 36 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 220 | 159 | 79 | 4th of 8, Interior 4th of 16, BCHL | Did not qualify |
| 2009–10 | 60 | 48 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 284 | 143 | 100 | 2nd of 9, Interior 2nd of 17, BCHL | Lost semi-finals |
| 2010–11 | 60 | 38 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 217 | 171 | 81 | 2nd of 8, Interior 3rd of 16, BCHL | Won 1st round, 4-0 (Millionaires) Lost 2nd round, 4-1 (Silverbacks) |
| 2011–12 | 60 | 54 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 334 | 133 | 110 | 1st of 8, Interior 1st of 16, BCHL | Won 1st round, 4-2 (Chiefs) Won semi-finals, 4-1 (Centennials) Won finals, 4-0 (Kings) Won Doyle Cup, 4-1 (Bandits) Won Royal Bank Cup, 4-3 (Slammers) |
| 2012–13 | 56 | 35 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 197 | 137 | 75 | 1st of 6, Interior 2nd of 16, BCHL | Won 1st round, 4-0 (Silverbacks) Won semi-finals, 4-1 (Warriors) Lost finals, 4-2 (Eagles) |
| 2013–14 | 58 | 36 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 199 | 137 | 78 | 1st of 6, Interior 3rd of 16, BCHL | Won 1st round, 4-0 (Centennials) Lost 2nd round, 4-3 (Vipers) |
| 2014–15 | 58 | 44 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 216 | 115 | 93 | 1st of 6, Interior 1st of 16, BCHL | Won 1st round, (Warriors) Won 2nd round, 4-3 (Vipers) Won final, 4-2 (Clippers) Won Western Canada Cup, 4-1 (Terriers) Lost Royal Bank Cup, 1-0 (Canadians) |
| 2015–16 | 58 | 50 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 263 | 121 | 101 | 1st of 6, Interior 1st of 17, BCHL | Won first round, 4-0 (Vipers) Lost division finals, 4-2 (Warriors) |
| 2016–17 | 58 | 41 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 189 | 129 | 86 | 1st of 6, Interior 3rd of 17, BCHL | Won Div. Semi-finals 3–4 (Centennials) Won Div. Finals 4–3 (Vipers) Won League Finals, 4–3 (Chiefs) |
| 2017–18 | 58 | 40 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 216 | 130 | 86 | 1st of 7, Interior 1st of 17, BCHL | Won Div. Quarterfinals 4–0 (Express) Lost div. semi-finals 3–4 (Smoke Eaters) |
| 2018–19 | 58 | 37 | 16 | — | 5 | 200 | 143 | 79 | 1st of 7, Interior 3rd of 17, BCHL | Lost First Round, 2–4 (Capitals) |
| 2019–20 | 58 | 44 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 225 | 135 | 90 | 1st of 7, Interior 2nd of 17, BCHL | Won First Round, 4–1 (Warriors) Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020–21 | 20 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 90 | 23 | 37 | 1st of 3, Penticton Pod 1st of 16, BCHL | Covid-19 "pod season" - no playoffs |
| 2021–22 | 54 | 43 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 256 | 123 | 89 | 1st of 9, Interior 1st of 18, BCHL | Won Div Quarterfinal, 4–1 (Smoke Eaters) Won Div. Semifinal, 4–0 (Spruce Kings) Won Div. Finals, 4–0 (Warriors) Won League Finals, 4–0 (Clippers) |
| 2022–23 | 54 | 50 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 304 | 96 | 101 | 1st of 9, Interior 1st of 18, BCHL | Won 1st round, 4-0 (Smoke Eaters) Won 2nd round, 4-0 (Wild) Won semi-finals, 4-1 (Silverbacks) Won finals, 4-0 (Bulldogs) |
| 2023–24 | 54 | 38 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 202 | 116 | 82 | 1st of 8, Interior 2nd of 17, BCHL | Won 1st round, 4-0 (Spruce Kings) Won 2nd round, 4-1 (Vipers) Won semi-finals, 4-3 (Silverbacks) Lost finals, 4-2 (Eagles) |

## Western Canada Cup

Western Canada Cup was the Western Canada Junior A Championship held from 2013 to 2017. The champions from the AJHL, BCHL, MJHL, SJHL, and a host team competed in round-robin tournament. After the round-robin, the first and second place team played for championship, the loser then played a runner-up g game against the winner of a third vs. fourth semifinal game. The champion and runners-up would then qualify to compete for the RBC Cup and the National Junior A Championship.
| Year | Round-robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Championship game | Runner-up game |
| 2015 | W, Spruce Grove Saints 11–3 W, Fort McMurray Oil Barons 6–0 W, Melfort Mustangs 3–1 L, Portage Terriers 2–3 | 3–1–0 | 1st of 5 | — | W, Portage Terriers 4–3 Champions | — |
| 2017 Host | OTW, Battlefords North Stars 2–1 OTL, Brooks Bandits 1–2 L, Chilliwack Chiefs 2–4 W, Portage Terriers 5–3 | 1–1–1–1 | 3rd of 5 | W, Battlefords North Stars 4–0 | — | W, Chilliwack Chiefs 3–2 |

## National Junior A Championship

The National Junior A Championship, formerly known as the Royal Bank Cup from 1996 to 2018, is the annual championship tournament for Hockey Canada's junior A hockey leagues. Depending on the year, various regional champions, qualifiers, and hosts participate in the championship tournament. The tournament usually consists of opening in a round-robin with the top four teams then advancing to a semifinal were the winners compete a championship game.
| Year | Round-robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Championship Game |
| 2012 | L, Soo Thunderbirds 1–2 OTL, Humboldt Broncos 2–3 W Woodstock Slammers 2–1 W, Portage Terriers 3–1 | 2–1–1 | 3rd of 5 | W, Soo Thunderbirds 3–0 | W, Woodstock Slammers 3–2 National Champions |
| 2015 | L, Portage Terriers 2–3 W, Melfort Mustangs 4–0 W Carleton Place Canadians 4–3 W, Soo Thunderbirds 5–2 | 3–1–0 | 2nd of 5 | L, Carleton Place Canadians 1–2 (2OT) | — |
| 2017 | OTL, Brooks Bandits 1–2 OTW, Cobourg Cougars 3–2 W, Trenton Golden Hawks 4–0 L, Terrebonne Cobras 1–3 | 1–1–1–1 | 4th of 5 | L, Cobourg Cougars 1–3 | — |

## NHL alumni

Forty-three alumni of the junior Penticton team have moved on to play in the National Hockey League.
In the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Bradly Nadeau was drafted in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes (# 30 overall) as the only first-round BCHL player selected and Aydar Suniev was selected #80 by Calgary Flames. 19 2022-23 players have committed to NCAA Hockey teams, including the two NHL draftees.
Penticton Broncos (1964–1975)
* Bruce Affleck, Tony Currie, Gary Donaldson, Reg Kerr, Dave McLelland, Vic Mercredi, Grant Mulvey, Bob Nicholson
Penticton Vees (1975–1979)
* Ross Fitzpatrick, Darren Jensen, Kevin Maxwell, Andy Moog, Howard Walker
Penticton Knights (1979–1990)
* Rick Boh, Jim Camazzola, Ed Cristofoli, Neil Eisenhut, Ray Ferraro, Norm Foster, Brett Hull, Ian Kidd, Scott Levins, Derek Mayer, Joe Murphy, Scott Sharples
Penticton Panthers (1990–2004)
* Mike Brown, Kyle Cumiskey, Paul Kariya, Duncan Keith, Chuck Kobasew, Rick Lanz, Brendan Morrison, Jason Podollan, Kevin Sawyer, Robbie Tallas, Tanner Glass, Matt Zaba
Penticton Vees (2004–present)
* Zac Dalpe, Ryan Johansen, Beau Bennett, Curtis McKenzie, Mike Reilly, Troy Stecher, Tyson Jost, Dante Fabbro, Hunter Miska, Bradly Nadeau