Dante Fabbro will return to the Penticton Vees for the 2015-2016 season.

Image Credit: CHL Images/Andy Devlin

PENTICTON - Two of the brightest young stars in the BCHL last season will be back in Penticton for another year. The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club is excited to announce defenseman Dante Fabbro (98) and forward Tyson Jost (98) will return to the team for the 2015-2016 season.

Fabbro and Jost, who are considered two of the top ‘98-born players in Canada, received heavy interest at both the Major Junior and NCAA level  but will be in Vees colours come September, and will be looking to build upon breakout rookie campaigns.

Also, President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson is staying put and is excited to help develop Fabbro and Jost for another season, “People say what more can I do in Penticton with the Vees? The fact is no matter where I coach it’s my job to have an impact and develop players. I have the ability to work with some of the most talented up and coming players in North America right here in Penticton-which is shown when players such as Tyson and Dante choose Penticton as a launching pad to the NHL.”

“Every year there are new players and new challenges-there is plenty left to accomplish,” added Harbinson.

Jost, 17, had a terrific season up front for the Vees finishing fourth in team scoring in the regular season, as he averaged nearly a point per-game, with 23 goals and 45 points in 46 games; his 23 goals were tied for the team lead. Those numbers didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named to the BCHL All-Rookie team this spring. Jost found another gear in the playoffs, scoring a team-best 10 goals in 21 BCHL playoff games, en route to the Vees Fred Page Cup Championship win over Nanaimo. He turned heads at the Western Canada Cup (WCC), compiling five goals and six points as the Vees won their first ever WCC Championship in franchise history. Jost was also named the tournament’s Top Forward and Top Scorer.

He shined on the national stage as well, picking up three goals and four points at the 2015 RBC Cup in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He also is the first player to have played in all four Hockey Canada tournaments. He won bronze at the 2014 Telus Cup with the Okanagan Rockets, suited up for Canada at both the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, and helped the Vees to a semi-final berth at the RBC Cup. Including the BCHL regular season, playoffs, Western Canada Cup and RBC Cup, Jost had an impressive 41 goals and 69 points in 76 games.

Fabbro excelled on the Vees blue-line this year, despite what his birth certificate says. The 16-year-old was the third-highest scoring defensemen on the Vees roster this year, compiling 33 points in just 44 games; international duty had him miss 12 games.  That regular season earned him a spot on the BCHL All-Rookie team alongside Tyson Jost. Despite being the Vees youngest rear-guard, Fabbro excelled in the BCHL post-season, as he was the highest-scoring Vees defenseman, notching four goals and 15 points in 21 playoff games, helping the Vees captured their second league championship in four years. Fabbro, like Jost, wore the maple leaf  at both the World Under-17 Challenge and World Junior ‘A’ Challenge.

Fabbro continued his strong play in Alberta and Manitoba at the Western Canada Cup and RBC Cup. At the WCC, the blue-liner had a pair of goals and three points in five games, and another three assists in five more games at the RBC Cup. Fabbro played a key role on the Vees blue-line in the post-season and his performance at the RBC Cup led to him being named the tournament’s Top Defenseman.

Jost and Fabbro have been projected as first round draft picks in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by numerous hockey publications.

The Vees organization is thrilled to have Tyson and Dante back in the fold for the 2015-2016 season.

Tyson Jost will return to the Penticton Vees for the 2015-2016 season.

Image Credit: CHL Images/Andy Devlin