Vandervelden, Dimanochie Drafted by Stingers

EDMONTON, AB- The Edmonton Stingers of the CEBL have drafted 6’9” forward Patrick Vandervelden out of Mount Royal University 10th overall and 6’8” forward Somto Dimanochie out of York University 11th overall in the 2022 CEBL U Sports Draft. Vandervelden spent his first three U Sport seasons with the Trinity Western University Spartans before transferring to Mount Royal University for his remaining two years of eligibility.  Dimanochie brings three years of U Sport experience to the Stingers, having been with York since the 2018-2019 season. 

Through a U Sports career that has spanned 8 seasons, Vandervelden first suited up for the Trinity Western Spartans for three seasons from 2014-2017. During his rookie campaign, he saw action in 13 regular season games, scoring his first Canada West points against the University of Alberta Golden Bears on November 7th, 2014. The next season, he saw an increase in usage, starting 8 of his 20 regular season games. Vandervelden managed double digit points for the first time against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on November 3rd, 2015, scoring 10 points. He finished the season averaging 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. During the 2016-2017 season, Vandervelden took a considerable step forward, upping his season averages to 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. His scoring average was aided by four career high 20-point outings, and he finished the Canada West regular season ranked 8th in total blocks.

Vandervelden transferred to MRU and suited up for the Cougars in the 2018-19 season. In 17 starts, Vandervelden averaged 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while leading Canada West in total blocks with 47. In his final game of the season he netted a season-best 17 points to complement 15 rebounds against the Brandon University Bobcats. Vandervelden would return to the Cougars for his final year in the 2021-22 season after a two year hiatus. As a senior, he put up averages of 8.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, helping MRU to an 8-10 record. In the Cougars first round playoff game against the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack, Vandervelden put up 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks. 

“Patrick’s length and rim protection impressed me” said head coach and general manager Jermaine Small, who returns for his third straight year in the role. “It was something I saw firsthand this year.” Small coached the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns this Canada West season, facing off against Vandervelden and MRU four times in the regular season. Vandervelden scored 32 points and grabbed 27 rebounds across those four matchups while providing excellent interior defense.

Dimanochie brings 3 years of OUA experience to the Stingers. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, his impact with the York Lions was immediate upon his arrival in the 2018-19 season, one year removed from winning a B.C. Provincial Championship with Brentwood College. As a rookie, the forward started 13 of his 17 games, putting up 5.7 points and grabbing 3.4 rebounds per game. Dimanochie missed a significant portion of the 2019-20 season due to injury, but nonetheless averaged 5.4 and 5.1 rebounds per game across 14 games. In his third year (2021-2022), Dimanochie proved to be one of the best big-men in the OUA, racking up 13.9 point and 8.8 rebound averages in the shortened 16 game season. He set a career high with 28 points against Ontario Tech on February 19th, 2022, shooting 12/17 from the floor while securing 13 rebounds. The stellar performance was followed up by a 19 point outing against Laurentian University.

“Somto has a pro body, he’s skilled, and he’s got better every year” said Small, who will look to utilize both bigs this upcoming season. “Both guys have a high ceiling and will make very good pros when it is all said and done.”

Vandervelden and Dimanochie were drafted alongside 18 other U Sports players in the 2022 CEBL U Sports Draft. David Muenkat of St. Francio Xavier university was drafted 1st overall by the Scarborough Shooting Stars, one of the three new teams joining the CEBL this year. The full results can be found on the CEBL’s website, www.cebl.ca. 

The Stingers season begins on May 27th, with a home game against the Niagara River Lions in a rematch of the 2021 CEBL Championship. The Stingers won that game 101-65 en route to their second straight CEBL title. Fans can still secure single game, flex, and season tickets through the team’s head office at (905)-577-3440 and tickets@thestingers.ca, and on the team’s website: www.thestingers.ca/tickets