The WHL's newest team has its first roster.

Less two than months after it was announced they would be joining the major junior hockey league, the Penticton Vees acquired 22 players in the WHL expansion draft on Wednesday, May 7.

The Vees selected one player from 13 other WHL clubs and agreed to trades involving seven others in lieu of expansion draft selections.

The team's inaugural roster was celebrated during a launch party on Wednesday inside the Penticton Lakeside Resort, where it also selected Thor Liffiton with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.

Liffiton, a defenceman, spent the last two seasons with the Calgary Northstars U15 AAA.

Penticton's first WHL season will be 2025-2026.

Full expansion draft results for the Vees, listed by position:

Goaltenders

• Andrew Reyelts (Wenatchee Wild)
• Jesse Sanche (Everett Silvertips)
• Marek Schlenker (Portland Winterhawks)
• Kaenan Smith (Edmonton Oil Kings) 

Defence

• Kalan Anderlini (Kamloops Blazers)
• Sean Burick (Tri-City Americans)
• Easton LaPlante (Calgary Hitmen)
• Doogan Pederson (Red Deer Rebels)
• Nolan Stevenson (Swift Current Broncos)
• Morgan Tastad (Saskatoon Blades)
• Ethan Weber (Saskatoon Blades) 

Forwards

• Corban Almen (Regina Pats)
• Brady Birnie (Swift Current Broncos)
• Liam Bursaw (Prince Albert Raiders)
• Wyatt Danyleyko (Victoria Royals)
• Isaac Davies (Brandon Wheat Kings)
• Brooks DeMars (Swift Current Broncos)
• Matteo Danis (Prince George Cougars)
• Ethan Hughes (Moose Jaw Warriors)
• Diego Johnson (Seattle Thunderbirds)
• Cameron Norrie (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
• Chase Valliant (Calgary Hitmen)

Additionally, several trades were made, including the ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Rockets trading a fifth round pick in this year's draft to Penticton so they wouldn't take a roster player.

Per the league's expansion rules, the Vees will be permitted to dress four 20-year-old players in all pre-season, regular season, and playoff games during their first season only.

The Vees' B.C. division next season will feature Victoria, Prince George, Vancouver, Kamloops and ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç.

As part of the WHL's Western Conference, Penticton will also meet clubs multiple times from Alberta, Washington and Oregon.