Canucks training camp underway in Penticton for first time in 14 years

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko signs autographs for fans after practicing with coaches during the opening day of the NHL hockey team's training camp, in Penticton, B.C., on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

September 19, 2024 - 1:30 PM

The long wait is almost over for the legion of fans in Penticton and across the Okanagan who cheer for the Vancouver Canucks.

For the first time in 14 years, the Canucks are holding their National Hockey League training camp in Penticton.

Camp opens today at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton and runs daily until Sunday.

The Canucks roster features superstars like Quinn Hughes, winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenceman last season, J.T. Miller, considered one of the best two-way players in the game, Swedish superstar Elias Pettersson and American sniper Brock Boeser, who had an outstanding season last year scoring 40 goals for the first time in his career.

The Canucks enjoyed their best season in a decade in 2023-24 finishing first in the Pacific Division. They defeated the Nashville Predators in a tough opening-round playoff series, before pushing the Stanley Cup finalist Edmonton Oilers to seven games in a series they led 3-2.

Besides daily skates and drills, the team will also play a Blue-and-White scrimmage on Sunday.

This is the first time training camp will be held in Penticton since the fall of 2010.

“Staying in Penticton for training camp following Young Stars makes perfect sense for our organization,” said Canucks Sports & Entertainment, president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, in a news release.

“The facilities are first class, the fans in the Interior are very passionate and the players, coaches and staff really enjoy what the city and region has to offer.

“Our hockey club is committed to growing the game province wide and we really enjoy taking our camp to different cities in British Columbia. We look forward to connecting with our fan base in the Okanagan and using these on ice sessions to set the standard and put in place the structure needed for the start of another season.”

Dean Clarke, general manager of the SOEC, is also pleased to be welcoming the NHL team.

“We’re excited to welcome the Vancouver Canucks to Penticton for their training camp,” said Clarke.

“This camp is a fantastic way to celebrate our partnership with the Canucks, which has spanned over a decade, and gives our community a unique opportunity to see NHL players in action, showcasing world-class hockey right here in the Okanagan.

“Hosting such prestigious events highlights our facility and Penticton’s charm, and we eagerly anticipate the energy and excitement they will bring. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and bringing more events like this in the future.”

The Canucks practice sessions are open to the public and will feature other free activities at the SOEC, continuing the excitement from the this past weekend’s Young Stars Classic.

Since 1974, the Canucks have held training camp in a number of communities across British Columbia, including Abbotsford, Courtenay, Duncan, Kamloops, Parksville, Penticton, Powell River, Prince George, Vernon, Victoria, and Whistler.

The team has also held training camp overseas on one occasion, traveling to Stockholm, Sweden -- not far from the homes of Henrik and Daniel Sedin -- in 2000.

In team news, Canucks winger Dakota Joshua announced he’ll miss the start of training camp following surgery for testicular cancer.

Joshua said in a statement that he felt a lump on one of his testicles this summer and later had surgery to successfully remove the tumour.

The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., said he plans on returning to play “as soon as possible” and is “working hard every day” to rejoin his teammates.

Joshua said the last several weeks have been “extremely challenging” and encouraged men to get checked regularly for testicular cancer.

The six-foot-three, 206-pound forward had a career-high 18 goals and 14 assists in 63 games for the Canucks last season and signed a new four-year, US$13-million deal with Vancouver at the end of June.

Single-day tickets for training camp start at $10 and tickets to Sunday’s scrimmage will be available for $32.

A limited number of ticket packages are available for $50, plus fees, and include a ticket to each day of training camp and one ticket to Sunday’s scrimmage.

Doors to the SOEC open at 9 a.m. today, Friday and Saturday, with players taking to the ice starting at 9:30 a.m.

The Blue-and-White scrimmage on Sunday, Sept. 22 will begin at noon.

In addition to the daily skate schedule, there will also be several community activities during training camp for fans to enjoy, including a Party on the Plaza and minor hockey skills competition and referee clinics.

Tickets are available at the SOEC box office or online at: valleyfirsttix.com.

— This article was originally published by the Penticton Herald.

— With files from The Canadian Press