Vees coach rewarded for success this season with extension

Fred Harbinson, the general manager and head coach of the Penticton Vees, has been given a five-year extension through the 2018-19 season.

Harbinson, a former St. Cloud State assistant from 2002-07, had a pretty good fifth season in 2011-12 to say the least.

The Vees, with eight Minnesotans on the roster, set BCHL records for wins (54), points (110) and winning percentage (.917).

The Vees won the Interior Conference Championship, the Fred Page Cup, the Doyle Cup and the national Jr. 'A' championship, the RBC Cup. Harbinson's career record with the Vees is 217-61-5-17.

"There are many factors that create movement in the coaching profession: stability, financial, community, family and chasing the dream of coaching pro hockey," said Harbinson, according to a Vees news release. "My family and I love the passion in the city of Penticton directed towards the Vees, and we have developed great relationships during our time here.

"Ownership has eliminated any reason for me to field offers from other organizations. My focus moving forward is simple; I'm committed to the challenges of keeping the Penticton Vees as one of the premier player developmental grounds in all of junior hockey."

Stats on Harbinson:

- Two-time BCHL Coach of the Year

- Two Interior Conference and Fred Page Cup Championships

- One Doyle and RBC Cup

- BCHL single-season records for wins (54), winning percentage (.917)

- CJHL record with 42 consecutive wins.

- 14 NHL draft picks have played for the Vees in the past five seasons.

* Penticton is considering naming a street in the Vees' honor

MINING THE NAHL

One hundred and seventy-one current or former North American Hockey League players have committed to either Division I or III NCAA hockey teams. More than two-thirds of the commitments (117) are to D-I teams.

The 12 WCHA teams alone have gotten commitments from 21 NAHL players. Every WCHA team has at least one.

Michigan Tech has the most NAHL players coming in, four, Colorado College has three.

Teams with two NAHL recruits are Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Nebraska Omaha and Wisconsin.

Besides the Gophers and UMD, other teams with one are Denver, North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Wisconsin.