Former Canuck player Stan Syml was at the South Okanagan Event Centre to inform about the third Young Star Classics to be held this fall.

(SHANNON QUESNEL / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON — Old and new will clash on the ice at the Vancouver Canucks Young Stars Classic this fall.

The Canucks will host the 2013 showcase at the South Okanagan Event Centre. Prospects from the team and from the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets will play in a round-robin tournament running from Sept. 5-9. This will be Penticton's third time playing host.

"It's a great opportunity to showcase the game's top prospects in a competitive environment," former Canuck winger Stan Smyl said.

He and Canuck hockey director Jonathan Wall told a small group at the SOEC's Vault Bar and Grill, Penticton's businesses have been excellent to work with in the past.

Acting mayor Garry Litke said that's why the SOEC exists — to host world-class events such as these. It puts "heads in beds" and "butts in the seats" he added, referring to the accommodation and arena businesses.

The event will have two special days. On Sept. 7 the Canucks alumni play against other NHL team alumni as well as players from local fire and police departments.

Wall said this will be interesting. Former Canuck winger Trevor Linden, 43, hasn't tied on his skates since retiring in 2008.

On Sept. 8 minor hockey players from across B.C. and their coaches can get on the ice with Canuck players for a hockey clinic. There will also be a party outside the SOEC with games and food provided on that day.

"We really want to grow the event beyond the games," Wall said.

Councillor Andrew Jakubeit worked with the committee to arrange a third-year of Canuck action.

"It's amazing the amount of energy and excitement (generated) in having five NHL teams come to our community," he said. "It brings (action) to fans that might not otherwise be able to see an NHL calibre hockey game."

"And when San Jose flies in with their jet and parks at the airport you actually can't see the airport building. That's quite cool for the one week that they are here."

Tickets go on sale on June 14 at 10 a.m. The $70 price will cover tickets for each of the eight games. For ticket information go to www.valleyfirsttix.com call 1-877-763-2849, go to the SOEC ticket booth or the Penticton and Wine Country Visitor Centre. Single game tickets will go on sale in August.

More event information can be found at www.canucks.com/youngstars.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065 or tweet @shannonquesnel1

News from © iNFOnews, 2013