The Penticton Vees’ newest captain likes what he sees in the early stages of training camp.
“You can see there is a lot of speed and skill on the ice. It’s exciting,” said Tyson Jost. “It’s an exciting time of the year. I think we have a good core group of players.”
Jost is joined by fellow returnees (F) Demico Hannoun, (D) Dante Fabbro, (D) Gabe Bast and (G) Brendan Barry. They are joined by (F) Chris Gerrie, (D) Tyler Nevin, (G) Anthony Brodeur, (F) Taylor Ward, (D) Griffin Mendel, (D) Sam Jones, (F) Ben Brar, (F) Jason Lavalee, (F) Owen Sillinger, (D) Seamus Donohue, (D) Colton Poolman, (F) Easton Brodzinski, (F) Dixon Bowen, (F) Scott Conway and (F) Mitch Brooks. All players the Vees recruited or traded for.
“Like last year we had some spurts of that too, but I think this year it’s a step ahead. A few players that can really move their feet and have really good hands and shots,” said Jost, who will move on to the University of North Dakota next fall. “It’s something I’m looking forward to. Hopefully it will elevate my game, too.”
Jost has also seen the group meshing in the dressing room and he says there is plenty of character.
On the second day of camp, Vees coaches had players engaging in battle drills while going to the net in the opening session. Jost had some physical battles with Bast and another Vees hopeful.
“That’s the thing. You need to be competitive in games. It starts here,” said Jost. “It’s good that we have that competitive atmosphere through our team right now.”
During the camp, Jost said the players get hints of what being a Vee is like. The competitiveness and will to win is evident.
“I think that’s something that Freddy (Vees coach-GM Fred Harbinson) really wants to implement throughout the group. Show what it takes to become a Penticton Vee. I think that is being spread very well.”
Poolman, a veteran for the defence core, likes what he sees early. He comes to the Vees after spending two seasons with Fargo in the United States Hockey League. Poolman said the pace of camp is similar to what he has experienced in the USHL. With more younger players attending the camp, the 19-year-old said he felt like “the old guy around here.” Poolman said he will try and set a good example for the young guys and show them how things are done.
As for what he brings on the ice, Poolman said he is solid in his zone.
“I will bring kind of a shutdown mentality. I’d also like to work on my offensive ability,” he said.
Like Jost, Poolman said there are talented players in the camp. There are lots of offensive and defensive players trying to make their mark.
Everything excites Poolman about the season, he said, he’s just ready to get it going.
The BCHL announced with training camps underway that FASTHockey is the league’s pay-per-view partner. Of the 42 exhibition games scheduled, 16 will be carried on FASTHockey. Included in those games will be the Vees’ home set against the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League on Sept. 4-5.
FASTHockey will carry every BCHL regular season, playoff, Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup and RBC Cup game. Once viewers have their accounts, they will be able to watch any game carried by FASTHockey, including other Canadian Junior Hockey League teams. All games are archived, offering viewers the chance to catch games they missed or watch games over again.
All Internet-capable devices offer the ability to watch games on FASTHockey including laptops, smart phones, tablets and ROKU and Google TV.