PENTICTON –The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce forward Ben Dalpe (94) and defenseman Chris Rygus (93) have committed to Clarkson University for the 2014-2015 season.

President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson, says the two’s dedication is infectious; “Both Ben and Chris have worked extremely hard for this opportunity, and will be outstanding additions to the Green Knight program.”

Dalpe, 19, was just recently named the first BCHL Player of the Week after the opening weekend of the season. Dalpe finished with four points, all assists, helping his team to a pair of wins over Victoria and Alberni Valley. The Paris, Ontario product is in his first season with the Vees after being acquired in the off-season from the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Canadian Junior Hockey League. Last season in Pembroke, Dalpe put up 22 goals and 60 points in 49 games and was also a member of Team Canada East at the 2012 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  Dalpe is the younger brother of former Vee and current Carolina Hurricanes forward Zac Dalpe.

Rygus, 20, is in his fourth and final season of junior hockey and also was acquired by the Vees this past off-season from the Nanaimo Clippers. Through two games, the rear-guard has yet to register a point but it’s his play away from the puck that’s earning him rave reviews. Last year in Nanaimo, the Mississauga, Ontario native had six goals and 21 points in 55 games, to go along with 88 penalty-minutes. Rygus is just two seasons removed from an RBC Cup Final appearance with the Maritime Hockey League’s Woodstock Slammers in 2012. Rygus was recently anointed as one of two Assistant Captains for the 2013-2014 season, as he joined Captain Brad McClure and fellow Assistant Captain Travis Blanleil, as part of the Vees leadership group.

Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, New York and the Golden Knights play in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Since 1962, the Golden Knights have won 10 ECAC Regular Season Titles, five ECAC Championship Tournament Titles, and have made 20 NCAA Tournament appearances (seven times making it to the “Frozen Four”). Dalpe and Rygus will join fellow Vees alumni Bryan Sinz and James de Haas next fall. Former Vee Ben Sexton is currently the Captain of the Golden Knights as he embarks on his senior season.

News from © iNFOnews, 2013