Okanagan homecomings for Iginla, Preston as Vancouver Giants visit Penticton Vees
Published 11:17 am Friday, October 2, 2026
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When the Vancouver Giants visit the Penticton Vees on Friday night, it will mark the Okanagan homecoming for two star-studded forwards.
Giants forwards Joe Iginla of Lake Country and Mathis Preston of Penticton are expected to hit the ice in front of family and friends when the puck drops at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Oct. 2.
Both forwards, 18, were selected in the 2026 NHL draft (Preston in the second round by Anaheim, and Iginla in the third round by Calgary).
Iginla is the son of Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Jarome Iginla, who scored 625 career goals in more than 20 NHL seasons.
Preston, meanwhile, is no stranger to playing as a visitor in his hometown of Penticton.
As a member of the Spokane Chiefs last November, Preston recorded a goal and an assist against the Vees in front of more than 50 family and friends while leading his team to an overtime win.
Preston is a graduate of both the Penticton Minor Hockey Association and the Okanagan Hockey Academy.
Both Iginla and Preston started their WHL campaigns last fall with different teams — Preston with Spokane and Iginla with Edmonton.
This weekend marks the start of a four-game home stand for the Vees (2-2-0-0).
After meeting Vancouver (2-1-0-0), Penticton will host the Tri-City Americans (0-2-0-1) on Saturday night, Oct. 3.
The Vees are set to battle the Swift Current Broncos and Brandon Wheat Kings at the SOEC on Oct. 6 and 9, respectively.
Puck drop for Friday’s game is at 7 p.m. Be sure to pick up a Western News-produced 2026-27 Vees preview at the rink.
Penticton enters the battle with Vancouver after splitting a two-game set with the Kelowna Rockets last weekend.