Vees trade for veteran scorer

Photo: Contributed

Andre Ghantous with the Trail Smoke Eaters during the 2017-18 season.

The Penticton Vees have acquired 20-year-old scoring threat Andre Ghantous in a trade with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

Going to Port Alberni is two forwards, 19-year-old Ryan Miotto and 18-year-old Henri Schriefels. Miotto had two assists in five games this season, while Schriefels was pointless in three contests.

Prior to this season, Ghantous had spent the past two years with the Trail Smoke Eaters. He was a big part of ousting the Vees in the second round of the B.C. Hockey League playoffs last season.

The forward from California had two goals and eight points in the seven-game series between Trail and Penticton last spring. He totalled five goals and 14 points in 15 playoff games. 

“We felt we needed to get older as a team and this was a move that presented itself,” Vees head coach, general manager and president Fred Harbinson said in a news release.

“Andre is a proven scorer in the Interior division over the past two seasons and was at his best in the playoffs. We’re excited to add him to our team.”

In 115 BCHL regular season games, Ghantous has 28 goals and 88 points. He had the same point total, 44, in each of his first two seasons, but last year improved to 19 goals after scoring nine times in his rookie year.

He was traded from the Smoke Eaters to the Bulldogs, but did not report to Alberni Valley and was not listed on the Bulldogs roster. 

The team said Ghantous will be in the lineup on Friday when they visit the Merritt Centennials. Penticton hosts Alberni Valley the following night in their home opener.

The Vees roster is now down to 22 players and team is carrying four 20-year-old players.