The Penticton Vees did one thing this week they have not earlier than on the subject of participant recruitment: look to Europe.
Contemporary off the workings of some new roster guidelines handed down from the BC Hockey League, the Vees have signed Swedish defenseman Leon Matthiasson for the 2023-2024 season.
Formally faraway from below the Hockey Canada umbrella, BCHL golf equipment are actually permitted to roster a most of two gamers from exterior North America.
Matthiasson, 19, marks the Vees’ first non-North American recruit.
The defenseman involves Canada after taking part in final season for the Växjö Lakers within the Swedish J20 Nationell. He posted 25 factors in 39 regular-season video games in 2022-2023, ok to rank fourth in workforce scoring.
Together with Matthiasson, the Vees introduced this week the recruitment of fellow defenseman Brock Reinhart.
Reinhart, an 18-year-old from Elora, Ont., joins the Vees after taking part in the final two seasons with the Elmira Sugar Kings within the Better Ontario Junior Hockey League.
He led all Sugar Kings protection in scoring with 37 factors in 49 video games.
“Final season our protection core was a significant factor in breaking the all-time BC Hockey League document for targets in opposition to,” stated Fred Harbinson, the Vees’ head coach, common supervisor and president. “The addition of those two protection veterans will permit us to construct a stable again finish as soon as once more.”
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