Penticton Vees sign 2006-born forward Diego Johnson
Penticton, B.C. – The Penticton Vees, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are thrilled to announce the signing of 2006-born forward Diego Johnson to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
“Diego is a key addition to our team for the upcoming season. He has scored at every level, and we expect him to be a key contributor offensively to our lineup. He is a player that is not afraid to get to the scoring areas to create offence and has the skill to capitalize on those chances. He is another veteran player having already played three seasons of junior hockey, and his experience will help with our transition into the WHL,” said Vees President, General Manager, and Head Coach Fred Harbinson.
Johnson brings a wealth of experience from the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he spent parts of the past two seasons with the Madison Capitols. The Fort St. James, BC product had a standout 2024–25 campaign, finishing fourth in team scoring with 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 61 regular season games.
During the 2023–24 season, the 5’11”, 179-pound forward split time between the Capitols and the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). He recorded 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) in 30 games with the Crusaders before adding 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 31 games with Madison.
Johnson is no stranger to the Okanagan. A graduate of the Okanagan Hockey Academy in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), he also suited up for the Merritt Centennials in the BCHL during the 2022–23 season. As a 16-year-old rookie, he posted 19 points (12 goals, 7 assists) in 49 games.
Committed to the University of Connecticut (Hockey East), Johnson was originally selected in the sixth round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft by the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Stay up to date with all Vees news by visiting www.chl.ca/whl-vees.
About WHL Scholarships
Administered by the WHL Office, WHL Scholarships are solely funded by the ownership of the WHL member Clubs. Every player who plays in the WHL is eligible to receive the WHL Scholarship. For every season played in the WHL, players receive a guaranteed, full year of WHL Scholarship including tuition, textbooks, and compulsory fees to a post-secondary institution of their choice. The WHL Scholarship is a fully guaranteed academic scholarship with no requirement to play university hockey to qualify. The WHL graduate can apply the funding to any post-secondary or career-enhancing program of his choice, including trades schools or professional career training programs.
Established on a League-wide basis in 1993-94, over 8,000 WHL Scholarships have been awarded, representing an investment of over $38 million by WHL Clubs.
About the Penticton Vees
The Penticton Vees are a proud member of the Western Hockey League, dedicated to developing elite-level hockey talent and fostering a culture of excellence both on and off the ice. With a rich history and a passionate fan base, the Vees continue to be a cornerstone of Junior Hockey in British Columbia.
