The Prince George Cougars will likely have another BC Division rival to contend with as early as next season.
As reported by Sportsnet hockey insider Eliotte Friedman on Saturday night, the WHL is expected to announce its newest addition next week, the Penticton Vees of the BCHL.
According to Friedman, former New York Rangers star goaltender Mike Richter and Winnipeg Jets sniper Mark Scheifele are expected to part of the ownership group alongside Graham Fraser.
Richter’s son Tom played 20 games for Penticton in 2020-21 after spending a season with the Prince George Spruce Kings (2019-20).
The Vees, one of the BCHL’s most storied franchises, is currently first in the Interior Conference with a mark of 40-7-5-0.
Since being renamed the Vees in 2004, Penticton has won the Fred Page Cup on six occasions (2008, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023). In 2012, the Vees also claimed the Doyle Cup and their first national Junior A crown in 26 years.
Prior to that, Penticton’s rich history in the BCHL dates back as early as 1967 where the Broncos won the league championship three times in seven years (1967, 1968 and 1973).
From there the Broncos transitioned to the Knights where they would claim three consecutive league titles from 1980-82 followed by two more in 1985 and 1986.
Lastly, Friedman hinted that the WHL is expected to solicit ownership bids for a team in Chilliwack that could begin play in 2026-27.
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