Vees acquire defenceman from Victoria, sign British forward
Photo: Kyle Robinson
Penticton, B.C. – The Penticton Vees have acquired defencemen Oscar Pantzare (’04) from the Victoria Grizzlies, in exchange for future considerations, the team announced Wednesday.
“You can never have enough depth on the backend. Oscar has had a great start to the season in Victoria, and we feel his play will only elevate with the support he will have here in Penticton,” commented Vees’ President, General Manager, and Head Coach Fred Harbinson.
Pantzare, 20, had 18 points (4G, 14A) in 30 games, as he was the Grizzlies’ top scoring defenceman. The Stockholm, Sweden, product is in his first season in the B.C. Hockey League (BCHL), after signing with the Grizzlies in September. Prior to joining the BCHL, the 6’0, 197-pound defenceman played for Frölunda in the Swedish U20 league. Last year, he was the top scoring defenceman on his team with 25 points and led the Swedish U20 league in goals by a defenceman with 17.
Penticton made another roster move Wednesday, signing 17-year-old British forward Connor Lee. Lee was playing with his hometown Manchester Storm in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). The EIHL is professional league in the United Kingdom, featuring 10 teams from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
“Despite is age, Lee has played at the pro level the past two seasons. His speed and hockey sense will definitely enhance our group,” stated Harbinson.
So far this season, Lee had played 21 games with the Storm. Last season, as a 16-year-old, Lee played 39 games with the Storm, registering two assists. The Manchester, England, product has represented Great Britian internationally at the Under 20 and Under 18 levels. Most recently, he played for Team GB at 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship Division II Group A in Zagreb, Croatia.
The team also announced defenceman Logan Bates (’06) has signed with the Kamloops Storm in the KIJHL. The organization supports Logan’s opportunity to develop in Kamloops and wish him all the best with the Storm.
After today’s move, the Vees roster now sits at 24 players: 12 forwards, nine defencemen, and three goalies.