With the departure on Nick Fuher, the Penticton Vees hired Jason Becker as their new assistant coach.

After two seasons with the Vees, Fuher unexpectedly resigned early last week to join a Winnipeg academy. Becker joins the Vees from the Okanagan Hockey Academy, where he spent the past two seasons.  Prior to that, Becker was an assistant coach for the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars.

“When Nick decided to leave the club, we immediately focused on Jason,” said Vees president, general manager and head coach Fred Harbinson said in a team statement. “Ownership afford me the opportunity to hire an experienced coach, and we didn’t feel the need to search elsewhere, or publicly state we were looking for someone. I felt right from the get go that Jason would be a tremendous fit for us.”

Becker, who calls Penticton home with his wife and two children, is excited to join the Vees staff.

“I’m very honoured and excited to be joining the Vees organization. It’s a team filled with a rich history, and this is a very important season as we host the Western Canada Cup, I can’t wait to get started and meet the players,”  said Becker.

After a five-year WHL career as a defenceman, Becker joined the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for five seasons, before embarking on a nine-year professional career that would see him suit up in nearly 450 games, mostly over seas.

The Vees are opening their training camp on Aug. 22 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.