Penticton will be all about the Vancouver Canucks in September.
Already the host of the annual Young Stars Classic, today Penticton was revealed as the location for the Canucks main training camp in 2024.
This year’s Young Stars Classic will be held from Sept. 13-16 and it will be followed up with training camp from Sept. 19-22.
That means stars like Quinn Hughes, JT Miller, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Thatcher Demko and the rest of the Canucks will be in the South Okanagan getting ready for the 2024-25 season.
Training Camp is coming to Penticton‼️
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) July 12, 2024
Get early access to see the #Canucks in action at the South Okanagan Events Centre from September 19-22.
EARLY ACCESS | https://t.co/AYT4GDeTuG pic.twitter.com/yzrcfqvfpe
“Staying in Penticton for training camp following Young Stars makes perfect sense for our organization,” said Jim Rutherford, president of hockey operations for the Canucks.
“The facilities are first class, the fans in the interior are very passionate and the players, coaches and staff really enjoy what the city and region has to offer.”
The Canucks have not been shy to take their training camp around British Columbia in the past, most recently to Victoria in 2023 and Whistler in 2022.
There might be some good juju around the South Okanagan as well, as the last time Canucks training camp was held in Penticton was at the start of the 2010-11 season when Vancouver reached game seven of the Stanley Cup Final.
“Our hockey club is committed to growing the game province wide and we really enjoy taking our camp to different cities in BC,” added Rutherford.
“We look forward to connecting with our fan base in the Okanagan and using these on ice sessions to set the standard and put in place the structure needed for the start of another season.”
During the four-day camp, practice sessions will be open to the public and there will be plenty of other free activities happening around the South Okanagan Events Centre.
More details on public access to training camp will be announced at a later date and fans can ensure they’re the first to know by signing up at this link.
Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield expressed excitement about today’s news, saying the City is “thrilled” to welcome the Canucks to town for training camp.
“We are a passionate hockey community and the addition of the camp, following the Young Stars Tournament, is tremendous news,” he said.
“The Canucks and their fans will bring energy to Penticton and will provide a welcome economic boost as well.”
The mayor added: “This is going to be a great year for the Canucks and it’s all going to start here.”
