Monday, January 13, 2014

Vees sign forward Shane McColgan, trade Butzow

Press Release sent to the World of Junior Hockey

PENTICTON, BC –The Penticton Vees Jr. ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce the signing of forward Shane McColgan (93).

President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson says McColgan will be a key piece upfront, “Shane’s junior numbers speak for themselves. Adding him to our top line, that already includes two of the BCHL’s top three goal-scorers, will clearly make our team that much more dynamic. Shane has also played in two Memorial Cups; that type of experience is invaluable come playoff time.”

McColgan, 21, spent parts of five seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL), most recently with the Portland Winterhawks. The Manhattan Beach, California native had three assists in 10 games with Portland, before signing with the Vees. McColgan started his WHL career with the Kelowna Rockets in 2009-2010 and was a finalist for the WHL Rookie of the Year award, after tallying 25 goals and 66 points in 71 games as a 16-year-old. In three seasons with the Rockets, McColgan amassed 64 goals and 199 points in 208 regular season games. Prior to last season, McColgan was moved to the Memorial Cup host Saskatoon Blades. As a 19-year-old, McColgan compiled 19 goals and 66 points in 69 regular season games with Saskatoon. He added another goal and two points in four Memorial Cup games that spring.

In his five-year WHL career, McColgan has collected 66 goals and 207 points in 225 regular season games. In 30 career playoff games, the forward has 9 goals and 25 points. McColgan, as a 15-year-old, lifted the Ed Chynoweth Cup, as a member of the 2009 WHL Champion Rockets; McColgan played in four playoff games that spring including an appearance at the 2009 Memorial Cup. McColgan played in the 2011 CHL Top Prospects game, and later that year was a 5th round pick, 134th overall, by the New York Rangers in the NHL Entry Draft.

To make room for McColgan, the Vees sent 20-year-old defenseman Blake Butzow to the Cowichan Valley Capitals for Future Considerations. The stay-at-home defenseman appeared in 16 games for the Vees, collecting a goal and an assist, to go along with six penalty-minutes.

The Vees would like to thank Blake for his contributions on the ice and in the community and wish him all the best with the Capitals. McColgan will make his Vees debut on Wednesday, when the Vees host the West Kelowna Warriors at the SOEC.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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