The Penticton Vees scored a commitment from a forward that helped the Fargo Force win the United States Hockey League championship.
Sammy Steele, from Hummelstown, PA, spent the 2017-18 season with the Force and in 46 regular season games he scored 11 goals and added 13 assists while recording just four penalty minutes.
The 6’3, 185-pound forward then added a goal and an assist in 14 playoff games, helping the Force lift the USHL championship, the Clark Cup.
“Sammy brings size and scoring ability to our forward group,” Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said. “He is coming off being an integral part of winning a USHL championship and that experience will be invaluable.”
Steele has already secured himself an NCAA scholarship to Arizona State University. He will join the rest of his new teammates in Penticton for training camp in late August.
The Vees also acquired 1999-born forward David Silye and 2000-born Max Crozier from the Nanaimo Clippers in exchange for 1998-born forward Marcus Mitchell.
Silye will join the Vees, while Crozier has previously committed to the USHL for the 2018-19 season.
“The addition of Dadiv Silye gives us stability through the middle,” said Harbinson. “In addition to being a gritty centre who can kill penalties, David hit his stride offensively scoring 36 points in the last 34 games of the season. He’s secured a scholarship to Clarkson where many former Vees have gone on to play.”
Crozier, wrapped up his rookie season in the BCHL with six goals and 23 assists in 49 games. He is committed to Providence for the 2019-20 season.
“Max Crozier is an elite two-way defenceman who had a strong rookie season in Nanaimo,” said Harbinson. “We were made aware prior to the transaction that Max was looking to go to the USHL prior to moving on to Providence. We are hopeful Max will take time to re-evaluate his decision, nobody would blame him now that we’ve obtained his rights. This would give him an opportunity to play for Team Canada at the World Junior A Challenge and follow in the footsteps of some of the outstanding defencemen we have developed in the past such as Jonny Tychonick, Gabe Bast, Dante Fabbro, Troy Stetcher, Joey Laleggia and Mike Reilly — just to name a few.”