A top-rated defenceman from Ontario who represented Canada at the 2024 Youth Olympics in South Korea is coming to the South Okanagan.

Zach Nyman, 16, has committed to the Penticton Vees for the 2024-2025 season, the team announced on April 9.

The Toronto-born defender posted 60 points in 73 games in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) this season and was considered a top prospect for the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft before deciding to play in Penticton.

鈥淲e are excited to have Zach choose Penticton as his next step in his hockey development path,鈥� said Fred Harbinson, the Vees鈥� head coach, general manager and president.

鈥淭he new recruiting rules in the BCHL will allow our fans to enjoy more and more top-level players who will ultimately choose our league before competing in the NCAA.鈥�

Nyman suited up for the Vaughan Kings of the GTHL in 2023-2024 before competing at the OHL Cup, where he had seven points in as many games and led his team to a second-place finish.

The left-handed shot defenceman also wore the maple leaf this year, scoring two goals in four games while representing Canada at the Youth Olympics in January 2024.

Nyman鈥檚 commitment to Penticton marks one of the Vees鈥� first major recruitments ahead of the 2024-2025 BCHL season.

The team is currently up 2-0 on the Prince George Spruce Kings in its first round of the playoffs, with games three and four set for Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10, in northern B.C.