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Vees open training camp Monday

Vees training camp begins Monday, Peaches Cup game on Friday
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Rookie Grant Cruikshank led all Penticton Vees scorers with six goals during the regular season against the Vernon Vipers. Cruikshank hopes to continue his offensive ways against the Vipers in the BCHL’s Interior Division Final. Mark Brett/Western News

The defending Interior Division and B.C. Hockey League champ Penticton Vees begin their training camp on Aug. 21.

The Vees will hold morning practices from 10 to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 and 22, along with scrimmages from 5 to 7 p.m. On Aug. 23, they have a pre-game skate from 10 to 11 a.m., before their exhibition game in West Kelowna at 7 p.m. On Aug. 24, the Vees hit the ice from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 1 to 2 p.m. On Friday, the Vees have a pre-game skate from 10 to 11 a.m. and will have their Peaches Cup game from 5 to 7 p.m.

New additions to the Vees this season are starting at forward — Jackson Keane, son of retired NHLer Mike Keane, will wear No. 9, Ryan Sandelin (11), Massimo Rizzo (13), Lukas Sillinger (22), brother of co-captain Owen Sillinger, Jack Barnes (34), son of retired NHLer Stu Barnes, and Cassidy Bowes (92), on defence — Nicky Leivermann (4), Luke Reid (8), Garrett Ewert (19), Ryan O’Connell (24) and in goal, Adam Scheel (31). They join forwards Jared Nash (14), co-captain Grant Cruikshank (21), Sillinger (23), Taylor Ward (74), Chris Klack (88), on defence Joseph Leahy (2), Kenny Johnson (3), Jonny Tychonick (20) and former affiliate player Greg Brydon (43). In goal is Nolan Hildebrand (35).

On Aug. 30, the Vees will host the West Kelowna Warriors in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre, then travel to Alberta to play the Brooks Bandits on Sept. 1. The Vees open the BCHL regular season on Sept. 8 in West Kelowna. Their first home game at the SOEC on Sept. 29 against the Warriors at 7 p.m.

Vees coach-GM Fred Harbinson couldn’t be reached for comment.