As Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit puts it, you’re going to see the young stars of tomorrow today.
Or Sept.16 to 19 when the Canucks Young Stars Classic is in Penticton for the sixth time.
“The competition to get the eyes of the GM, coach and scouts, there’s a lot of intensity there,” said Jakubeit, the event chair. “I think that’s what makes it fun to watch.”
The four-team, round-robin tournament will feature prospects from the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Canucks. Those teams also hold four of the top six selections at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft which is in Buffalo starting today: Winnipeg, second overall, Edmonton, fourth overall, Vancouver, fifth overall, and Calgary, sixth overall.
Tournament tickets and VIP packages go on sale July 8 at 10 a.m.
“We are very excited to once again hold the Young Stars Classic in beautiful Penticton,” said Trevor Linden, Canucks president of hockey operations, in a statement. “The Young Stars Classic launches a new season and offers a great opportunity to watch NHL prospects develop in competitive games. We’re grateful to our gracious hosts, the South Okanagan Events Centre and the city of Penticton for always making this a first class experience.”
Six Canucks prospects that participated in the Young Stars Classic in September 2015 played in at least one NHL regular season game in 2015-16 including current roster players Ben Hutton and Jake Virtanen.
Tournament ticket packages include all six games for $60*. VIP and Premium VIP ticket packages are also available for $90* and $275* respectively. For information and details on what VIP packages include, visit canucks.com/youngstars and SOEC.ca. Tickets are available online atValleyFirstTix.com, by phone at 1-877-763-2849, in person at the SOEC Valley First Box Office.(additional fees apply).
“The hockey is astonishingly fast and intense. Now celebrating six years in Penticton, we welcome and appreciate the significant economic impact and exposure that having this NHL-caliber hockey brings to our community and region,” added Jakubeit in a statement.
Once against this year the festivities will include a Canucks Town Hall breakfast as well as Minor Hockey Day, which will include a Party on the Plaza event with games, food, music and entertainment as well as skills and development camps for B.C. minor hockey players.
Last year the tournament also gave Penticton Vees fans a chance to see former Vees in Joey Laleggia and Brendan O’Donnell. This year Troy Stecher and Michael Garteig, who signed contracts with the Canucks in the off-season could be here, as well as Joey Benik, who signed with the Oilers American Hockey League affiliate, Bakersfield.
“When you have former Vees that are participating, it adds a bit more interest amongst the fans,” said Jakubeit. “Everyone wants to root for their hometown hero or someone they have grown up watching.”
Young Stars Classic Schedule**
GAME TEAMS DATE TIME
Game 1 Calgary vs. Winnipeg Sept. 16 4:00pm
Game 2 Vancouver vs. Edmonton Sept. 16 7:30pm
Game 3 Calgary vs. Edmonton Sept. 17 7:30pm
Game 4 Vancouver vs. Winnipeg Sept. 18 2:00pm
Game 5 Edmonton vs. Winnipeg Sept. 19 11:30am
Game 6 Vancouver vs. Calgary Sept. 19 3:30pm