Penticton Vees unveil their 22 players for the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft

UPDATE: 8:05 p.m.

Penticton Vees Majority Owner Graham Fraser said while the team has had a great time in the BCHL for 18 years, but the hockey landscape has changed and it's time to enter the WHL.

The Vees hosted their first WHL draft party at the Penticton Lakeside Resort on Wednesday afternoon, showing off their roster along with details on season tickets and key dates.

"For our fans, what's in it for you? There's a lot more NHL draft picks up here, a lot of big players coming in here. A lot more parity in the league, with a draft. So I think you're going to see some really entertaining hockey," Fraser said to the crowd Wednesday.

He estimated that the team will bring an economic impact of around $8 million.

The Vees' upgrade to the WHL will come with some changes to ticketing structure and pricing, including senior ticket and teenager ticket pricing.

Season ticket membership options range from $500 to $740 for adults, with youth passes (ages 13 to 18) costing $360. Children 12 and under are still free thanks to Peter Brothers.

Penticton announced that with their fourth-overall selection in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, they selected Thor Liffiton from the Calgary Northstars U15 AAA.

Head coach, general manager and president Fred Harbinson said Liffiton will be "outstanding for the future of the program."

"One of the things that was outstanding about him, our whole scouting staff kept bringing up how he really improved as the whole year went on. Every month, I think he got better. He's got a heck of a shot," Harbinson added.

Jesse Sanche, who was announced as part of the goaltending team for the expansion draft, appeared in front of the crowd alongside current Vees player and future WHL team member, Nolan Stevenson.

Stevenson said getting to have a third year with the team, now moving into a different league, is exciting.

"I think there's gonna be a lot of challenges that present themselves, getting everybody assimilated into kind of how we do things. But I'm excited for that," he added.

The Vees expect to have their work cut out for them building their team in the WHL and are hoping to be able to have a championship-type team the next few seasons.

Starting Thursday, existing BCHL season ticket holders can secure their seats for the 2025-2026 WHL season.

June 2 is the renewal deadline for 2024-2025 season ticket holders to secure existing seats.

June 9 begins the relocation for 2024-2025 season ticket holders who wish to change seats, with priority given based on deposit date and time.

On June 23, new season ticket holders will be able to select their seats, again with priority given based on deposit date and time.

As the Vees finish out their final BCHL season, fans are encouraged to come cheer them on in their playoff series against the Brooks Bandits.

Penticton is in a must-win scenario on Friday night with game five at the SOEC, hoping to force a game six back in Brooks on May 12.

Game 5 puck drop is at 7 p.m. PDT.

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ORIGINAL: 3:40 p.m.

The Penticton Vees official journey into the WHL began on Wednesday, unveiling the 22 players acquired during the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft.

The league's newest team selected one player from each of 13 WHL Clubs, while agreed upon trades involving seven WHL Clubs were accepted in place of expansion draft selections.

Penticton's first WHL season will begin this fall, for the 2025-2026 season. To celebrate, the Vees are hosting the draft party at the Penticton Lakeside Resort's East Ballroom.

All are welcome to the free event, which will feature a livestream of the WHL draft including the Vees' selections.

"The Vees will also unveil their expansion roster for their inaugural season in the WHL, release season ticket pricing, and host a town hall with Vees’ majority owner Graham Fraser and President, General Manager & Head Coach, Fred Harbinson," reads a press release issued Friday.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

Full expansion draft results for the Vees, listed by position, includes former team and birth year:

GOALTENDERS (4)

• Reyelts, Andrew (2006, Wenatchee Wild)
• Sanche, Jesse (2006, Everett Silvertips)
• Schlenker, Marek (2006, Portland Winterhawks)
• Smith, Kaenan (2008, Edmonton Oil Kings)

DEFENCE (7)

• Anderlini, Kalan (2006, Kamloops Blazers)
• Burick, Sean (2008, Tri-City Americans)
• LaPlante, Easton (2008, Calgary Hitmen)
• Pederson, Doogan (2006, Red Deer Rebels)
• Stevenson, Nolan (2005, Swift Current Broncos)
• Tastad, Morgan (2006, Saskatoon Blades)
• Weber, Ethan (2006, Saskatoon Blades)

FORWARD (11)

• Almen, Corban (2007, Regina Pats)
• Birnie, Brady (2005, Swift Current Broncos)
• Bursaw, Liam (2007, Prince Albert Raiders)
• Danyleyko, Wyatt (2007, Victoria Royals)
• Davies, Isaac (2008, Brandon Wheat Kings)
• DeMars, Brooks (2009, Swift Current Broncos)
• Danis, Matteo (2005, Prince George Cougars)
• Hughes, Ethan (2006, Moose Jaw Warriors)
• Johnson, Diego (2006, Seattle Thunderbirds)
• Norrie, Cameron (2007, Lethbridge Hurricanes)
• Valliant, Chase (2006, Calgary Hitmen)

The league said Penticton was given 24 hours to review the submitted protected lists and make their selections from the available players or negotiate trades with other WHL Clubs.

Penticton will be permitted to dress four 20-year-old players in all pre-season, regular season, and playoff games during the 2025-26 WHL season only. Should Penticton win the WHL Championship, they will only be permitted to dress three 20-year-old players in the 2026 Memorial Cup, as per WHL rules.

More to come....