Local Sports

The Nanaimo Clippers in action at Frank Crane Arena in early 2020. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Clippers for sale, owner says hockey won’t be back to normal any time soon

Wes Mussio says he’s had numerous inquiries about the junior A club already

KISU swim club member Justin Fotherby is one of six swimmers from across Canada to be recognized for the 2020-2021 Victor Davis Award. (Submitted photo)

Penticton swimmer wins major awards, closing in on Olympic dream

Justin Fotherby, a KISU club member, has just won the prestigious Victor Davis Award

A petition calling on the provincial government to allow the B.C. Hockey League to resume play has been launched by former NHL player Garry Valk. (Black Press file photo)

Petition calls for government to allow B.C. Hockey League to start playing

Launched by former NHL player Garry Valk

Forward Ethan Mann from Wisconsin has committed to the Penticton Vees for the 2021-22 season.(Contributed)

Penticton Vees land Wisconsin-born forward Ethan Mann

Mann scored 32 points in 21 high school hockey games this year in Wisconsin

Forward Ethan Mann from Wisconsin has committed to the Penticton Vees for the 2021-22 season.(Contributed)
A Nelson Leafs player takes a shot on a Beaver Valley Nitehawks goaltender during the 2020 playoffs. The KIJHL announced Saturday it was cancelling the 2020-21 season. Photo: Jim Bailey/Trail Times

KIJHL cancels season due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions

It’s the second straight season the KIJHL has had to shut down prematurely

A Nelson Leafs player takes a shot on a Beaver Valley Nitehawks goaltender during the 2020 playoffs. The KIJHL announced Saturday it was cancelling the 2020-21 season. Photo: Jim Bailey/Trail Times
BCHL

BCHL season delayed once more, but league still hopes to play

The junior A league isn’t ready to sink the season, which is now pushed back into March

BCHL
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Former Penticton Vees Zach Driscoll, Jack LaFontaine, and Adam Scheel have been named to the watch list for the Mike Richter Award, given to college hockey’s top goaltender. The nominees were announced by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (Contributed)

Former Penticton Vees goalies among the best in U.S. college hockey

Zach Driscoll, Jack LaFontaine, and Adam Scheel nominated for NCAA Mike Richter Award

Former Penticton Vees Zach Driscoll, Jack LaFontaine, and Adam Scheel have been named to the watch list for the Mike Richter Award, given to college hockey’s top goaltender. The nominees were announced by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (Contributed)
Grant Cruikshank, Jack LaFontaine and Taylor Ward have all been nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. (Contributed)

Three former Penticton Vees nominated for prestigious college hockey award

The Hobey Baker Award is given to the top player in college hockey

Grant Cruikshank, Jack LaFontaine and Taylor Ward have all been nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. (Contributed)
Penticton Vees captain Fin Williams was included in The National Hockey League’s Central Scouting bureau “Players to Watch” list released Jan. 22, 2021. (Jack Murray)

Penticton Vees forward ranked among top NHL prospects

Vees forward and captain Fin Williams is projected to be selected in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft

Penticton Vees captain Fin Williams was included in The National Hockey League’s Central Scouting bureau “Players to Watch” list released Jan. 22, 2021. (Jack Murray)
The Greater Vernon Ringette Association is one of six Vernon sports groups benefitting from B.C.’s Local Sport Relief Fund. (Morning Star file photo)

Relief funds keep Okanagan in the game

Clubs at risk of closure due to inability to offer programs and fundraise

The Greater Vernon Ringette Association is one of six Vernon sports groups benefitting from B.C.’s Local Sport Relief Fund. (Morning Star file photo)
Penticton Minor Hockey Association has been navigating the coronavirus pandemic throughout the 2021-21 season. (File photo)

Penticton Minor Hockey presses on amid pandemic

Despite a challenging year, the PMHA has been able to offer kids some respite on the ice

Penticton Minor Hockey Association has been navigating the coronavirus pandemic throughout the 2021-21 season. (File photo)
Abigail McCluskey is in the Netherlands training to compete in the World Cup next month. She joins 12 Canadian speedskaters for the international competition later this month. (Dave Holland CSI Calgary)

Penticton speed skater in Netherlands for World Cup

Abigail McCluskey will be skating the long track in the international competition

Abigail McCluskey is in the Netherlands training to compete in the World Cup next month. She joins 12 Canadian speedskaters for the international competition later this month. (Dave Holland CSI Calgary)
Brett Forsythe battles it out in a game of singles pickleball on ice at Okanagan Training Rink Thursday, Jan. 7 in support of the Vernon Food Bank. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Pickleball play hits the ice in Okanagan

Rivals battle it out in support of the food bank

Brett Forsythe battles it out in a game of singles pickleball on ice at Okanagan Training Rink Thursday, Jan. 7 in support of the Vernon Food Bank. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
BCHL

BCHL delays start of the season as provincial health orders remain in place

The junior A league has been forced to abandon a plan to start in mid-January

BCHL
The KIJHL season won’t continue until at least Feb. 5. Photo: Tyler Harper

KIJHL postpones regular season until Feb. 5

The announcement follows an extension of the province’s athletic travel restrictions

The KIJHL season won’t continue until at least Feb. 5. Photo: Tyler Harper
Chicago Black Hawks Duncan Keith of Penticton will be at Sunday’s Wildstone Colour4Kids Run at LocoLanding in support of the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre. Western News file photo

A dozen Vees alumni in NHL training camps this week

Duncan Keith, Troy Stecher, Brad Thiessen and Dante Fabbro among NHLers

  • Jan 4, 2021
Chicago Black Hawks Duncan Keith of Penticton will be at Sunday’s Wildstone Colour4Kids Run at LocoLanding in support of the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre. Western News file photo
BCHL team can now practise together in full, after a revision to the provincial health order on Dec. 28. (Garrett James photo)

BCHL teams can practise together following revised health-order

Junior ‘A’ league commissioner still hopeful a season can be staged this year

BCHL team can now practise together in full, after a revision to the provincial health order on Dec. 28. (Garrett James photo)
Stefano Bottini was named to Team Switzerland in the IIHF 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

Penticton Vees forward makes World Junior team roster

Vees fans will have a player to cheer on at this years’ tournament

Stefano Bottini was named to Team Switzerland in the IIHF 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
Penticton local and Freestyle Canada skier Jordan Kober (top) secured his first World Cup podium finish, placing third Sunday in the dual moguls event Idre Fjall, Sweden. (Contributed)

Penticton skier lands on the World Cup podium in Sweden

Jordan Kober, who trains at Apex, secured his first World Cup podium finish, placing third on Sunday

Penticton local and Freestyle Canada skier Jordan Kober (top) secured his first World Cup podium finish, placing third Sunday in the dual moguls event Idre Fjall, Sweden. (Contributed)
Left to right: Members of Freestyle Apex, Quinn Patton, Grady Farcau, Patrick Parsons and Charlie Roberts with coach Kristi Richards at the top of Apex’s mogul course Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Former Olympian Kristi Richards looks to take Apex’s freestyle ski team to new heights

The freestyle team hopes to get an Olympic landing bag to help take their skills to the next level

Left to right: Members of Freestyle Apex, Quinn Patton, Grady Farcau, Patrick Parsons and Charlie Roberts with coach Kristi Richards at the top of Apex’s mogul course Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (Jesse Day - Western News)