Ben Allen has become the 17th player on the Penticton Vees roster to earn a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 scholarship.
Allen, 20, has committed to the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers for next season. He is the first Vee to commit to the Chargers since Brennan Barker in 2005-06.
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Allen, from Allen, Tex., is in his final year of junior hockey and first with the Vees. In five games Allen has recorded two goals and an assist.
“Ben is off to a great start and has earned an opportunity to further his career at Alabama-Huntsville,” Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said in a team statement. “Ben is one of the smartest players we’ve had play here in Penticton and will be a great addition to the Chargers program.”
Last season, Allen spent time with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Allen helped Battleford win the SJHL’s Canalta Cup, scoring 13 points in 12 playoff games. He then appeared in all five games for the North Stars at the Western Canada Cup in Penticton, scoring once. For his efforts, Allen was named to the SJHL’s All-Rookie Team.