In only their third year of existence in 1954, the Okanagan Senior Hockey League’s Penticton Vees won the Allan Cup by defeating the Sudbury Wolves to become Canadian amateur hockey champions.

In February 1955, the Vees traveled to Europe to play a series of pre-tournament exhibition games. The Vees then went off to represent Canada at the world championships in Dusseldorf and Krefeld, Germany.

During the tournament, the team amassed a perfect 8-0 record scoring 66 goals and allowing only six. In the final game against the defending world champion USSR, the Vees took the lead four minutes in and held on to win 5-0 and capture the world hockey championship. Vees’ goaltender Ivan McLelland recorded four shutouts in eight games. Forward Bill Warwick was named the tournament’s top forward.

Team Members:
Bernie Bathgate, Don Berry, Kevin Conway, Jim Fairburn, Harry Harris (trainer), Ed Kassian, Doug Kilburn, George McAvoy, Jack MacDonald, Jack McIntyre, Ivan McLelland, Jim Middleton, Don Moog, Dino Mascotto, Ernie Rucks, Mike Shabaga, George Stoll (trainer), Jack Taggart, Hal Tarala, Bill Warwick, Dick Warwick, Grant Warwick (player coach).