The Penticton Vees bulked up their blueline for the 2013/14 season with the addition of Paul Stoykewych from the Winnipeg Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Stoykewych, 18, comes to the Vees in exchange for the playing rights to forward Jordan McCallum and future considerations.
In 131 games with the Blues, Stoykewych has 10 goals and 60 points.
In his Three V’s blog, Vees broadcaster Fraser Rodgers reported that Stoykewych is described as an all-around defenseman, with hockey pundits describing him as a ”complete player,” with no real glaring holes in his game. He will likely eat up top minutes on the Vees blueline this fall and presumably in every situation.
He earned a silver medal with Team Canada West during the 2012 World Junior A Challenge in Yarmouth, N.S. and was named to the MJHL’s all-rookie team in 2012 after collecting 27 points in 54 games. Stoykewych is committed to play for the Western Michigan Broncos in 2014. Stoykewych joins a blueline that features Brayden Park, Chris Rygus, Brett Beauvais, Alex Coulombe and Patrick Sexton.
In 46 games as a rookie with the Vees, McCallum collected six goals and 10 points.