Penticton Vees alumni are making their mark in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, while some former Panthers are also contributing to their NHL teams.
Nic Pierog (2013) scored Clarkson’s only goal in their 1-1 tie with Quinnipiac on Nov.20. Mike Garteig (2012) made 25-saves against Clarkson and one night later, he stopped 36 shots in a scoreless tie against St. Lawrence University.
Brad McClure (2013-2014) scored Minnesota State’s only goal against Northern Michigan as they settled for a 1-1 draw. Saturday Steen Cooper (2013-2014) scored his first career NCAA goal as The Mavs’ and North Michigan skated to another tie, 2-2.
Jedd Soleway (2013) had one of three Wisconsin goals as they tied Denver 3-3 Friday in Madison, Wisconsin. The game will be most remember for Patrick Sexton’s (2014-2015) devastating hit on DU’s Troy Terry, which is being billed as a “Hit of the Year,” candidate. Sexton was recently profiled by Wisconsin “Insider” Andy Baggot and his impact to the Badgers line-up (READ HERE).
Troy Stecher (2011-2013) had a solid weekend on the blue-line for North Dakota in their weekend split against St. Cloud State. The junior defenceman had two assists in UND’s 4-3 win and had a goal in their 6-2 loss Saturday. Patrick Newell (2015) scored and finished with two points in the Huskies win Saturday; the freshman has three goals and five points this year.
Curtis Loik (2011-2012) tallied a goal in Penn State’s 5-2 in Anchorage against the Seawolves. One night later it was Olivier Mantha (2014) making headlines, stopping 36 shots in helping Alaska-Anchorage salvage 1-1 tie.
The Quinnipiac Bobcats are off to a terrific start and largely in part because of the contributions from Mike Garteig and Travis St. Denis (2012). The Bobcats are undefeated through 13 games (11-0-2) and Garteig is first in the country in wins (11), third in shutouts (three) and eighth in save percentage (.941). St. Denis is tied for fourth in goals (eight) and is 17th in scoring with 14 points.
In the American Hockey League, Curtis McKenzie (2007-2009) is making an impact with the Texas Stars. Since coming back from injury, McKenzie has two assists in three games for the Dallas Stars’ affiliate; he’s got four points in five games in the AHL.
Joey Laleggia (2010-2011) continues to put together a sound season with the Edmonton Oilers farm club, the Bakersfield Condors. The defenceman has three points in 15 games but is second in team plus/minus with a plus five rating.
Mike Reilly (2012) has two goals and seven points in 21 games with the Iowa Wild, the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate. He also has a -24 plus/minus.
NHL
Duncan Keith (1999-2001) has three goal and six assists in 12 games for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Ryan Johansen (2008-09) has four goals and 16 points in 21 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tanner Glass-(2001-03 Panthers) has played in two games for the New York Rangers and has two shots with four penalty minutes.
Beau Bennett (2009-10) has three goals and six points in 16 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins.