After putting the league on notice with a CHL record-setting inaugural season, the Penticton Vees are ready to prove year one was no fluke.
The reigning B.C. Division champs have bolstered their blueline by adding Los Angeles Kings prospect Giorgos Pantelas in a trade with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
In return, the Wheat Kings will receive the rights to 2010-born forward Carter Morris, a first-round pick in the 2029 WHL Prospects Draft, a conditional first-round selection in 2030, and a third-round pick in 2028.
Pantelas posted six goals and 31 assists for 31 points and a +19 rating in 68 regular-season games in 2025-26.
Describing himself as a defensive defenceman with goals of developing his offensive touch, the 18-year-old finished second in scoring among Brandon defencemen while being trusted with increased minutes against opponents’ top lines.
Describing himself as a defensive defenceman with goals of developing his offensive touch, the 18-year-old finished second in scoring among Brandon defencemen while being trusted with increased minutes against opponents’ top lines.
He was originally selected by the Wheat Kings with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
Pantelas, who was born in Quebec but raised in B.C., has also represented Canada in a gold medal-winning turn at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.
He won bronze for his country at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and suited up for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge and 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he scored on the powerplay to help Team East to a 5-4 overtime win.
Los Angeles selected the 6-foot-2, 211-pound, right-shot defender with the 153rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Penticton selected Morris, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound forward, with the fourth overall selection in the 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.
The Anchorage, Alaska product has spent the last two seasons with Shattuck St. Mary’s.
Penticton shattered the CHL record for wins by a club in its inaugural season with a 44-14-6-4 record.
The Vees topped the B.C. Division and finished second in the Western Conference, while going on to reach the Western Conference Championship in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
Brandon hit its stride in the second half of the campaign to go 40-26-2-0, good enough for a second-place finish in the East Division.
The Wheat Kings will open the 2026-27 season at home on Friday, September 18 as they host the Saskatoon Blades at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.
Penticton will kick off its sophomore WHL season on the road as they visit their playoff foes in Prince George.
The 2026-27 WHL season will stream for free on Victory+.
