Panthers add insurance on the backend trading for 18-year-old Defenceman Garnett Roberts

Garnett Roberts will be in the Panthers' lineup Sunday afternoon when the Peninsula Panthers invade the Q-Centre to duel with the Westshore Wolves.  Roberts, who is a lanky 18-year-old Defenceman, was plucked from the Victoria Cougars roster however much needed aquisition did not come cheap.  Moving to the Cougars will be 18-year-old sniper Nathan Looysen.  The Peninsula Panthers received future considerations in the deal.

Roberts played the majority of his minor hockey on the Peninsula however, for the past two seasons has been with the Victoria Royals Major Midget program.  And this season he was signed by the Cougars and was part of a strong defensive corps with that Organization.  Looysen played his minor hockey on the Peninsula as well and after playing with the Panthers two seasons ago, was signed by the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League and played there last season.  A management and coaching change saw that Club change directions and Looysen became a victim of the movement.  He returned to the Panthers and wasted no time putting the puck behind opposition goaltenders.

"Nathan is a great kid and we all believe that he will be back playing Junior "A" next season," said Governor Pete Zubersky.  "The Cougars were looking for scoring depth and Nathan will certainly provide that for them.  Last Sunday, Brett Sjerven let us know that he was done for the year with a bad shoulder and he will be undergoing surgery to repair it.  Brett has played a ton of defence for us in the past year and so that took away much of our depth at that position.  Defencemen Spencer Loverock has been playing a lot with the Cowichan Capitals and Sean Buchanan has been doing the same with the Nanaimo Clippers and we felt we needed to add to that position.  Garnett Roberts was a player that we have always liked and when the opportunity presented itself to acquire him, we certainly wanted to look into it a bit more.  I spoke with Garnett earlier today and he is happy to be coming out here and playing close to his home.  He sounded thrilled to see an opportunity which will allow his minutes in games to increase significantly," said Zubersky.

"I think the move will be great for both kids and for both Organizations," Zubersky continued.  "If Nathan plays in the VIJHL down the road we certainly will look at working with the Cougars to get his playing rights back out here.  In the meantime we wish Nathan the best of luck with his new Club and welcome Garnett into our Organization."

Roberts will not have to wait long as the Panthers travel to Colwood to play the Westshore Wolves Sunday afternoon at 5:00 pm.  The Club will be back at home on January 1st, New Year's Day when they will entertain the Saanich Braves ~ the puck drops at 6:00 pm.