Photo credits: Jack Murray (Williams), Garrett James Photography (Terness)
We keep it moving through the five pods with a deep dive on the Penticton Pod, featuring the Cranbrook Bucks, Penticton Vees and Trail Smoke Eaters.
Cranbrook Bucks
Record:
2019-20: N/A
2020-21 exhibition: 3-5-1-0
Key returning players:
N/A
Key additions:
D Cole Assaily
F Noah Quinn
D Rhys Bentham
F Nathan Fox
F Noah Leibl
G Nathan Airey
Outlook:
The expansion Bucks finally get to make their regular-season debut after first getting into exhibition action back in the fall. The team faced off against the Trail Smoke Eaters seven straight times during the preseason and will get to grow that rivalry even more in the pod where they will face their geographical rival another 10 times in the next five weeks.
Penticton Vees
Record:
2019-20: 44-12-1-1
2020-21 exhibition: 13-1-0
Key returning players:
F Liam Malmquist
F Tristan Amonte
F Tyler Ho
D Ethan Martini
Key additions:
F Finlay Williams
F Luc Wilson
D Ben Wozney
F Jacob Quilan
F Devlin O’Brien
Outlook:
The Vees won the Interior Division last season and also took home the Okanagan Cup exhibition tournament back in the fall, only losing once in 14 games. They haven’t returned a lot of players, but have a strong crop of new bodies coming in for this year. Playing in their home arena, the Vees should be the team to beat in the Penticton Pod.
Trail Smoke Eaters
Record:
2019-20: 36-17-2-2
2020-21 exhibition: 7-2-0-0
Key returning players:
G Logan Terness
F Chase Dafoe
F Jaden Senkoe
Key additions:
D Ryan Helliwell
F Noah Wakeford
F Kalen Szeto
F Connor Michaud
F Quinn Disher
Outlook:
The Smoke Eaters were in the midst of one of their best seasons in team history and coming off a first-round sweep before the playoffs were shut down in 2019-20. With such a highly-skilled team last year, it’s no surprise there has been a lot of roster turnover, but the Smokies still possess a potent offence, as displayed by their four goals per game average during the exhibition season. They were also able to bolster their lineup with a couple of loaned players from the Langley Rivermen who opted out of the season in Ryan Helliwell and Kalen Szeto.
