Three Vees Invited to USA Hockey Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp
Published on July 17, 2025 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Penticton Vees News Release
PENTICTON, BC - Three members of the Penticton Vees organization have been invited to USA Hockey's 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp, scheduled for July 28 to August 3 in Plymouth, Michigan.
Signed defenceman Sean Burick, listed defenceman Nicklas Nelson, and listed goaltender Kaenan Smith are among 38 players competing for a spot on the final 23-man U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team. The team will represent the United States at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, taking place August 11-16 in Brno, Czechia, and Trenčín, Slovakia.
Sean Burick - Defenceman
Burick was signed by the Vees in June to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement after being acquired from the Tri-City Americans in the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft. The 6'7", 196-pound blueliner spent the past two seasons at the prestigious Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Minnesota.
In the 2024-25 U.S. High School Prep season, the San Clemente, California native tallied 18 points (4G, 14A) in 41 games, along with 2 points (1G, 1A) in 13 games in the Prep Hockey Conference. He also helped lead Shattuck-St. Mary's to the 2025 USA Hockey Youth Tier I 18U National Championship in April, contributing one assist in six tournament games.
Burick is committed to the University of Denver.
Nicklas Nelson - Defenceman
Nelson, currently on the Vees' 50-man Protected Player List, played high school hockey in his hometown of Monticello, Minnesota during the 2024-25 season. He led all Monticello defencemen in scoring and finished third overall on the team with 42 points (11G, 31A) in 28 games. He ranked fourth in goals and second in assists.
Kaenan Smith - Goaltender
Smith was acquired by the Vees from the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL Expansion Draft in May. The 6'2", 201-pound netminder spent most of the 2024-25 season with the Sioux Falls Power 16U AAA program, where he posted a 15-5-1 record, a 3.43 goals-against average, and .919 save percentage.
The Duluth, Minnesota native also saw time with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), the U.S. National Team Development Program, and the U.S. National U17 Team. He represented the United States at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
The U.S. opens the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup on August 11th against Slovakia in Trenčín.
For the latest news, roster updates, and more, visit www.chl.ca/whl-vees.
Western Hockey League Stories from July 17, 2025
- Three Vees Invited to USA Hockey Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp - Penticton Vees
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