‘Shows we belong’: Fred Harbinson reacts after Penticton Vees make CHL history
Published 2:00 pm Saturday, February 28, 2026
When Penticton was awarded a WHL expansion franchise last spring, Fred Harbinson got the itch to do some research.
The Vees’ head coach, general manager, and president was quick to read up on major junior hockey records. Among them: most wins for a CHL club in its inaugural season.
“Just for the heck of it, I wanted to see what the record was,” Harbinson recounted to Black Press Media on Feb. 28.
With 37 wins, the 1982-1983 Longueuil Chevaliers of the QMJHL owned the mark, prompting Harbinson to write “37” on a card and leave it on his desk for the 2025-2026 campaign.
The 43-year-old record stood until Feb. 27, 2026, as Harbinson and the Vees edged the Prince Albert Raiders 3-2 in a shootout for their 38th win of the season.
“I didn’t say anything to anyone all year long, and just went about our business,” Harbinson said, referring to the “37” card.
“It’s a neat accomplishment for the organization and the players, and it kind of shows that we belong. To break a record that’s been around since 1982-1983 is pretty incredible.”
To do it, the Vees had to hit the road and take down Prince Albert, the top club in the Eastern Conference.
Beating a league juggernaut en route to the milestone made it even sweeter, Harbinson said.
“There’s only one time you’re gonna be a first-year expansion team, and obviously, as of right now, we’ve won the most games out of anyone that’s ever (been one).”
Penticton (38-13-4-4), which clinched a Western Conference playoff berth with a 3-1 win over Swift Current on Feb. 24, has nine games left in its inaugural season.
The club sits atop the B.C. Division and second overall in the conference.
With a 10-point cushion on Prince George for top spot in the division, Harbinson said his team has its eyes set on raising a banner at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
“With nine games to go, I think we have a great chance,” he noted. “Kelowna’s playing very well now, and Prince George the same, so they’ll be trying to catch us.”
Penticton’s win in Prince Albert marked its 20th away from home this season. The Vees are also one shutout off from breaking the expansion record in that category (7).
Harbinson spoke to Black Press Media on the bus from Prince Albert to Moose Jaw, as his club gears up to battle the Warriors on Saturday night.
It’s the final game of the Vees’ six-game Eastern Conference road trip that kicked off on Feb. 20.
Penticton returns home on Friday, March 6, when it hosts the Wenatchee Wild.
“I think the guys should be really proud of what they’ve done,” Harbinson said of his club.
READ MORE: History in Saskatchewan: Penticton Vees set new CHL expansion wins record
