Three Former Penticton Vees Shine on NCAA All-Star Teams: Celebrating Their Journey to Success

Three standout NCAA hockey players, Francesco Dell’Elce, Liam Malmquist, and Lukas Sillinger, have earned spots on their conference all-star teams for the 2024-25 season, showcasing the ongoing success of players from the BCHL’s Penticton Vees.

Francesco Dell’Elce, who plays for the University of Massachusetts, made the Hockey East all-rookie team after an impressive season. He racked up 38 points in 54 games during his time with the Vees in 2023-24. This achievement highlights his transition to the NCAA as a promising player.

Liam Malmquist, now representing the University of St. Thomas, earned a place on the first all-conference team of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. He played for the Vees from 2019 to 2021, where he served as an assistant captain in the shortened 2020-21 season. His leadership and skills have clearly paid off at the collegiate level.

Lukas Sillinger, who plays for Arizona State University, also made waves by securing a spot on the second all-conference team in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Coming from a strong hockey family, with his brother Owen Sillinger also a former Vees player and Cole Sillinger currently in the NHL, Lukas notched an impressive 104 points during his time with Penticton from 2017 to 2020.

These three players are among 29 former BCHL athletes who have been recognized on year-end conference all-star teams in the NCAA. This trend speaks to the strength of the BCHL in developing talent that goes on to succeed in collegiate hockey and beyond.

Recent statistics show that college hockey is becoming increasingly competitive. The NCAA reported that players with BCHL experience often have higher success rates in transitioning to higher levels of play. The mentorship and training they receive in leagues like the BCHL contribute significantly to their future careers.

As these players continue to shine in their respective NCAA conferences, fans are excited to see how their careers will unfold. Their journeys remind us how much hard work and dedication can lead to great achievements in sports.



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Penticton Vees|NCAA