The Penticton Vees have acquired centre Travis St. Denis from the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
St. Denis has played 164 BCHL games (regular season and playoffs) scoring 68 goals and adding 78 assists for 146 points. The 2010-2011 season saw St. Denis have his most offensively productive season averaging 1.2 points per game and being named to Team Canada West where he had two points in five games during the World Junior A Challenge tournament held in Penticton last November.
“Travis proved to be a big-time player last year, scoring 31 points in 28 games. He played against the top four teams in the Interior Conference,” said Vees head coach/GM Fred Harbinson. “It is always difficult when you trade players, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have Travis in our uniform.”
St. Denis came to the Capitals in June from the Trail Smoke Eaters. The forward has a scholarship to Quinnipiac University Bobcats and was expected to attend this year but decided to play another year in the BCHL.
Capitals general manager Jim Ingram described St. Denis as an elite player in the BCHL.
“Travis brings the complete offensive package; tremendous skating ability, an excellent shot, crafty playmaking and puck handling skills. A fierce competitor and a team leader that will be counted on to play in every situation,” said Ingram, after he acquired St. Denis in June.
The Vees sent forward Mike Betz to the Markham Waxers in exchange for forward Brandon Tanev. They then turned around and sent Tanev and centre Steven Iacobellis to the Cowichan Valley Capitals for St. Denis.
“On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to thank Mike and Steven for all their many contributions to the Penticton Vees on the ice and in the community,” said Harbinson.