Former Penticton Vees player Dante Fabbro has inked a three-year deal with the NHL’s Nashville Predators and goaltender Mat Robson signed a deal with the Minnesota Wild.
The defenceman, who was drafted by the Predators in the first round (17th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, spent two seasons with the Vees (2014-16).
READ ALSO: Vees Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro selected in first round of NHL draft
During his time with the Vees, Fabbro was named to the all-rookie team, helped the Vees capture the Fred Page Cup, represented Canada five times on the international stage (World Junior A Challenge twice, World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, World Under-18 Hockey Championship and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup), named top defenceman at the RBC Cup and won the BCHL and CJHL top defenceman award.
Fabbro joined the Boston University Terriers after the Vees and has played with Canada at the World Junior Championship twice, winning a silver and gold medal. He was named the Terriers captain this past season and played with Canada at the Spengler Cup where he was named to the tournament’s all-star team.
READ ALSO: Fabbro family enjoying time in Buffalo for NHL Entry Draft
If Fabbro gets to play in an NHL game this season, he will become the 40th Vees alum to appear in an NHL game.
Goaltender Mat Robson, who helped the Vees claim the 2017 BCHL Fred Page Cup, signed a two-year deal, entry level contract with the Minnesota Wild after completing his junior season at the University of Minnesota.
Robson allowed two goals or less in 15 of his 31 starts and led the Big Ten Conference in saves.
“I’m really impressed with the way he’s handled adversity. As a goaltender, sometimes they have quirkiness to them or what have you, but for Mat, it just seems like whatever obstacle, whatever hurdle he had to get by, he was able to do it,” said Wild general manager Paul Fenton on NHL.com.
READ ALSO: Robson, Jones reflect on time with Vees
Former Vees captain Nick Jones has signed a two-year contract with the Hartford Wolfpack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers. He spent two seasons with the Vees and helped lead them to the 2016-17 BCHL championship.
Miles Gendron announced he will begin his professional career after four years with the University of Connecticut Huskies. He signed with the Belleville Senators in the AHL and an ECHL deal with the Brampton Beast for the remainder of this season.
Gendron served as the Huskies captain and was the third round pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2104 draft. He was a member of the 2014-15 Vees, when he helped them win the BCHL championship.
Ice Chips:
A number of former Vees had big seasons with their respective college teams.
Former Vees captain Owen Sillinger was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association all-rookie team. Sillinger plays with Bemidji State and had 10 goals and nine assists in 38 games.
Taylor Ward was named the NCHC rookie of the year after scoring nine goals and recording 18 assists with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Goaltender Adam Scheel (North Dakota) was named to the all-rookie team in that conference.
Now a senior with the St. Cloud State Huskies, Patrick Newell earned the team’s sportsmanship award.
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