Image Credit: Contributed/Vees

PENTICTON - The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Club has rounded out its leadership group for the upcoming 2016-17 BCHL season. Monday the team announced defenceman Mitch Meek (96) and forward Owen Sillinger (97) will serve as Assistant Captains.

Meek and Sillinger join fellow Assistant Captain Gabe Bast (96) and Captain Nic Jones (96) as part of the Vees’ Captains.

“I am confident that our leadership group is in good hands led by Nick Jones, Gabe Bast, Owen Sillinger and Mitch Meek,” President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson said.

“The word culture seems to be over used these days but all four of these players have a solid grasp of what it means to be a Penticton Vee, and will do an outstanding job as an extension of our coaching staff.”

Meek is entering his fifth and final season of junior hockey and his first with the Vees, after stops in Victoria, Vernon and Cowichan Valley. The Victoria, BC, product has a wealth of experience under his belt, as he is nearing the 200 games played plateau. In four seasons, Meek has played in 193 career regular season games, collecting 15 goals and 72 points, to go along with 162 penalty-minutes. Meek was acquired from the Capitals earlier in the summer.

The 20-year-old rearguard has played in 38 career playoffs games and played in both the 2014 Fred Page Cup Final and RBC Cup with the Vernon Vipers. In those 38 playoff games, Meek has a goal and 10 points. Meek led all Vees defenceman in scoring this pre-season with a goal and six points in four games.

Sillinger, 19, is entering his second season with the Vees after coming from the Regina Pat Canadians in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League (SMHL). In his rookie season, the Regina, Saskatchewan, native had 16 goals and 45 points in 58 games. He was one of the Vees’ best forwards after the Christmas break and was named the Vees’ Player of the Month in January. Prior to joining the Vees, Sillinger won the SMHL Championship in 2015 and led the Pat Canadians to a third place finish at the Telus Cup in Quebec. There, he was the Top Scorer and was named the Top Forward and Tournament MVP. Wearing a letter isn’t new to Sillinger as he was the Captain of his midget team two years ago.

Sillinger finished with a goal and five points in four pre-season games. He’s committed to Arizona State University next fall.

The Vees open their regular season on Saturday, Sept. 10, when they travel to Prince George to face the Spruce Kings; face-off is 7 p.m.

Fans can listen to the season opener on EZ Rock AM 800, or they can watch online.

News from © iNFOnews, 2016