Western Hockey League franchise
ThePenticton Vees are aJunior ice hockey franchise that debuted in theWestern Hockey League (WHL) in the2025–26 WHL season as an expansion team. The team plays its home games in theSouth Okanagan Events Centre inPenticton as part of the B.C. Division of the Western Conference.
The franchise is operated by part-owner Graham Fraser, who also is the majority owner of theBCHL Penticton Vees since June 2008. The other ownership partners areMark Scheifele ,Mike Richter , Joe Walters and Gord Kovacik.[ 1] The team planned to have the same operations staff as the BCHL franchise, including head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson.[ 2]
The team employs a staff of 11 scouts assigned to specific regions in Western Canada and the United States, including: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Southern Alberta, Mainland British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Minnesota and California.[ 3]
TheSouth Okanagan Events Centre is a 95,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility with 3 ice rinks, 5,000 seats and 27 luxury seats.[ 4] It opened in 2008 and is owned by the City ofPenticton and managed by Oak View Group.[ 4]
The team traces its history to 1961 when thePenticton Jr. Vees were a founding member of the Okanagan-Mainline Junior "A" Hockey League (OMJHL).[ 5] Before joining the WHL as an expansion team in 2025, the Penticton Vees had been the name of aBritish Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) franchise from 2004 to 2025.[ 2] With the establishment of the WHL franchise, the BCHL franchise was expected to relocate to another city.[ 6] The name "Vees" is a reference to the Victory, Valiant, and Vidette varieties ofpeaches grown in theOkanagan Valley .[ 7]
Powrie, Chelsea (24 March 2025)." 'New chapter, new legacy': Penticton Vees celebrate moving up to the Western Hockey League - Penticton News" .castanet.net . Retrieved11 April 2025 . Lypka, Ben (24 March 2025)."Chilliwack receiving WHL franchise for 2026-27 season" .The Chilliwack Progress . Black Press Media. Retrieved30 March 2025 . Lypka, Ben (25 March 2025)."WHL apologizes for past Chilliwack mistakes, pledges future loyalty" .The Chilliwack Progress . Black Press Media. Retrieved30 March 2025 . Lypka, Ben (27 March 2025)."Chilliwack mayor on WHL: 'I don't think it's the right move' " .The Chilliwack Progress . Black Press Media. Retrieved30 March 2025 . Lypka, Ben (28 March 2025)."Chilliwack mayor apologizes for 'disrespect' shown to the WHL" .The Chilliwack Progress . Black Press Media. Retrieved30 March 2025 . "Kelowna Rockets to pick third, Penticton Vees fourth in 2025 WHL draft" .Vernon Matters . Pattison Media. 11 April 2025. Retrieved11 April 2025 ."Penticton Vees expand to Western Hockey League" .Global News . Corus Entertainment. The Canadian Press. 24 March 2025. Retrieved11 April 2025 .Shire, Taylor (7 April 2025)."WHL draft lottery set for Thursday: Here's what you need to know" .leaderpost.com . Postmedia. Retrieved11 April 2025 . Ewen, Steve (13 February 2025)."Several sources have Penticton Vees leaving BCHL to join WHL as expansion team next season" .The Province . Postmedia. Retrieved11 April 2025 . "Vees Reveal New Brand Logo" .pentictonvees.ca (Press release). Penticton, B.C. 26 August 2022. Retrieved11 April 2025 .Richardson, Casey (26 August 2022)."Penticton Vees reveal new logo and team colours - BCHL" .castanet.net . Retrieved11 April 2025 . Powrie, Chelsea (22 April 2025)."Penticton Vees name new head of scouting ahead of first WHL season" .castanet.net . Retrieved23 April 2025 . Lockhart, Logan (22 April 2025)."WHL-bound Penticton Vees appoint new director of scouting" .Penticton Western News . Black Press Media. Retrieved23 April 2025 . Lockhart, Logan (25 April 2025)."Rules, regulations set for Penticton Vees WHL expansion draft" .Penticton Western News . Black Press Media. Retrieved12 May 2025 . Ewen, Steve (5 May 2025)."Busy Vees: Penticton playing in BCHL semifinals, making WHL expansion draft picks this week" .The Province . Postmedia. Retrieved12 May 2025 . Richardson, Casey (7 May 2025)."Penticton Vees unveil their 22 players for the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft - WHL" .castanet.net . Retrieved12 May 2025 . Rocca, Taylor (7 May 2025)."Penticton Vees acquire 22 players in 2025 WHL Expansion Draft proceedings" .Western Hockey League . Retrieved12 May 2025 . Palmer, Randy (7 May 2025)."Plenty of Saskatchewan players headed west as Penticton Vees WHL expansion draft announced" .MooseJawToday.com . Harvard Media. Retrieved12 May 2025 . Lockhart, Logan (7 May 2025)."Penticton Vees acquire 22 players in WHL expansion draft" .Penticton Western News . Black Press Media. Retrieved12 May 2025 . Lockhart, Logan (8 May 2025)." 'Super special': Penticton makes history with 1st WHL draft pick" .Nelson Star . Black Press Media. Retrieved12 May 2025 . Vaski, Corvin (8 May 2025)."Vees head to Alberta for first-ever WHL draft pick" .PentictonNow . Retrieved12 May 2025 . "Meet Penticton's first-ever top draft pick" .Penticton Herald . 8 May 2025. Retrieved12 May 2025 .McIntosh, Sean (8 May 2025)."Penticton Vees select Doogan Pederson from Red Deer Rebels in 2025 WHL Expansion Draft" .Red Deer Advocate . Black Press Media. Retrieved12 May 2025 . "Laurie and Warriors part ways: Joins WHL's Penticton Vees" .AM 1150 . Vista Radio. 27 May 2025. Retrieved2 June 2025 .Duncan, Josh (4 June 2025)."Penticton Vees to open inaugural WHL season in Victoria, debut at home against Kelowna" .PentictonNow . Retrieved6 June 2025 . DeMille, Matthew (5 June 2025)."Vees complete 2025 WHL Expansion Draft with Medicine Hat selection" .Western Hockey League . Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved6 June 2025 . Powrie, Chelsea (8 August 2025)." 'Peach pie in a bottle': Limited hot sauce celebrates Penticton Vees' entry to WHL" .castanet.net . Retrieved9 August 2025 .
Western Conference Eastern Conference
B.C. Division U.S. Division
Central Division East Division