Kal Tire Place North is the site for the UMH68 tournament June 16-18. (Vernon Matters file photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Kal Tire Place North

Top young B.C. hockey players in Vernon this weekend

Jun 15, 2023 | 11:45 AM

Some of the best 13-and 14-year-old hockey players in British Columbia will be in Vernon for a tournament this weekend.

The first UMH68 invitational, organized by Up My Hockey founder, former NHL’er and Vernon resident Jason Podollan, will be held at Kal Tire Place North Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 16-18).

“This event will host the best 2009 players from all over the province, as you will see when you look at the rosters. WHL scouts are coming to get a first look at these players as they head into their WHL draft year,” Michelle Garcia, Podollan’s executive assistant, said.

(Image credit: UMH)

Local products will include Dominik Silbernagel, Hudson Podollan and Carter Hutton of Vernon along with Colton Sitter and Jack Saxton of Coldstream.

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The coaches for the three teams are NHL alumni: Jerred Smithson, Mark Ferner, Tyler Shattock while former Canuck Aaron Volpatti will be the keynote speaker.

(Image credit: Up My Hockey)

Games will be streamed live on the UMH68 Facebook page featuring play-by-play from Trevor Miller of the West Kelowna Warriors.

“We are encouraging everyone to please come out and support this event, as it is the first of its kind, and Up My Hockey plans to make it a yearly event, since this event has received so much interest from scouts,” Garcia said.

Garcia said the tournament is bringing 68 families from all over the province to Vernon.