Vancouver Canucks’ training camp is coming back to Penticton for the third year in a row.
The NHL club announced it will return to the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) from Sept. 17 to 20.
Canucks legend and co-president of hockey operations Henrik Sedin said returning to Penticton “makes perfect sense for our organization.”
“The South Okanagan Events Centre has everything we need for camp, both on and off the ice,” Sedin said. “Besides being a first-class facility, the venue is also a great spot for our fans to experience our skates and fan fest. We look forward to kicking off our season in the Interior this September and connecting with the thousands of fans who will make the trip to watch our training camp at the SOEC.”
All of the team’s on-ice sessions, including an expected scrimmage, will be available to the public.
A complete schedule is set to be released at a later date, the NHL club said in a release.
“Our organization really appreciates the provincial-wide support we receive at this camp and throughout the regular season,” said Sedin, who, along with his twin brother Daniel, was promoted to his new role in May.
Vancouver will come into Penticton with its third different head coach in three seasons.
Manny Malhotra is now at the helm after taking over for Adam Foote, who succeeded Rick Tocchet a year prior.
Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield said he’s thrilled to see the Canucks return to the city, especially given the recent investments made to the SOEC, including a new $1.2 million scoreclock/jumbotron.
“Hosting the Canucks training camp demonstrates the value of those investments, creating economic benefits for local businesses, fostering community pride, and providing residents and visitors with the opportunity to experience NHL hockey right here in Penticton,” Bloomfield said.
The Canucks have hosted training camp in communities across B.C. since 1974, including Abbotsford, Courtenay, Duncan, Kamloops, Parksville, Powell River, Prince George, Vernon, Victoria, and Whistler.
With the Sedins just weeks away from their NHL debuts, the club went to Stockholm, Sweden, for training camp in the fall of 2000.