'Twas the night before Christmas....

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the arena,
Not a player was stirring, not even Coreena.
The equipment was hung in the locker with care,
Coach Driebergen relaxing, is he losing his hair??

The players all hustled with helmets on head,
Now resting at Christmas, put hockey to bed.
It's time for our families, for turkey and friends,
We'll sit by the pine tree, Xmas cards we will send. 

Panthers look to the heavens, some of our Cats are up there,
Their memory remains with us, their loss was so rare.
But they hang on the North wall of Arena "B",
Never to be forgotten, remembered with glee.

Coreen and Jacquie, the front table their domain,
Bringing joy and happiness to each, that doesn't wane.
They sells the tickets, and the newsy program,
Donning their big smiles for each sir and ma'am.   

With Dennis and Peter, our Security is fine,
These two gentlemen find Friday's no grind.
And the tunes belt out loud, and the announcing is great,
With Dave Marshall at the helm, the game never starts late.

Ben Skerratt on camera, Jason King the big screen,
Will Bryant calling the games, the best Panthers have seen.
Bill Geddie and Scoooot add color, each night on Game Day,
With Stephen Smith in the shadows ready on any given Friday.

We have a host of Doctors, Braun, Marcus and Martin,
With this much expertise, medical ranks never run thin.
And Tyler Lawson, indeed a fine physiotherapist,
Will fix every boo-boo, even a very sore wrist.  

AT's Rachel and Connor try to keep the boys healthy,
On the chance down the road they should become wealthy.
Yes the two are the trainers, but also like friends,
But follow the rehab ordered, and quick to the mends.
 
J. Fletcher and P. St-Denis, they work on equipment well,
And they sharpen the skates, they sure do give ‘er hell!
They know their work is important, they want it the best,
When all players are happy, they take time for rest. 

Assistant Coach is Len Dawes, was once quite a sniper,
He is calm as a cucumber, he’s certainly not hyper.
Dawes played Major Junior, NHL drafted quite high,
Passes along tidbits to the players, with a twinkle in his eye.      
 
But even though it’s Christmas and we look for Saint Nick,
We can’t forget Coach Turner whose hair is so thick.
For that matter we laugh as we think of our teammates,
Somewhere in heaven Larry sharpens our skates.   

And of course there is Spencer, haven't seen him much of late,
He's a Saanich Policeman, and at that is first rate.
He helps with the rear guards to which he is suited,
But his job must come first, it's his career that is rooted.

Chris Stewart takes pictures, the shots are first class,
After games he eats nachos, these he'll never pass.
St-Denis and Fletcher, also keep score in the box,
But they’re clearly two homers, when Cats score they do rock!

Percy's the Cat's Mascot, all the many kids he greets,
Putting smiles on their faces, game night he completes.
He leads the team cheer, boasting the Panther's play,
Chanting "Go Pathers Go", while keeping naysayers at bay.

The Kiwanis Club of Sidney, led by Glenn and Jean,
Offer the Concession bounty, better than it's ever been.
They help with Security, or wherever there is need,
Their give so unsparingly, one good deed after deed!

Reid Fryer is gritty, sometimes gets 5 for a knee,
He turns his hands upward, “Honest it was not poor me.”
But he goes to the box, has racked up plenty of pims,
St-Denis and Fletcher greet warmly, and release at their whims.
           
Brother Seth's two feet extend way past his bed,
When he comes in the door he often does bump his head.
Affiliated with the Royals, he gets plenty of ice,
Plays tough and tumble, and is often not nice!

Our combination of targets, that’s Kelly and Kelly,
Have stopped about everything, as flexible as jelly.
The two are twin brothers, Saskatchew is where they grew,
Went back there this Christmas, some shopping to do.

Sneek and Bates do check hard, opponents thinking they're rude.
Sneek takes the food orders, be it pizza or chinese food?
But the two are effective when they bring the big heat,
If this aspect is missing, their game's not complete.
 
M. Fletcher took a head shot Saturday, it was the end of his show,
With several weeks off now, he should be ready to go.
JVR is a rookie, but often plays like a vet,
R. Braun and Speirs are gone but we do not forget.

Jansen van Rensburg, that's a very long name,
His namebar was costly but this kid does have game.
The December 1st deadline wondered if he was fine,
Of course, of course! His play is absolutely divine! 

And then there is Lingard, this year has gone to the net.
The puck bounces off all parts, scoring has not been a sweat.
He's only seventeen, but growing into a leader for sure,
Has heart, head and grit, for this team a sure cure.

McNeill is a keeper, there is no debate,
Been on Panthers since he was 16, he truly is great.
Will do anything to help the Cats, will play forward or D,
Thinks only about "Team" and never about "Me." 
 
Robson Scott is important, even equipped with a dimple,
He's often most effective when he keeps his game simple.
Robson can hit and bang, he can crash with the best,
And when he decides to do these things, he give Cats so much zest!

Andrew Braun was on Panthers wish list for more than a year,
Got him from Predators in October, the Organization did cheer.
But he played just one game and crashed hard on his knee,
Has been out ever since but now skating - we'll see.

He will be back in mid-January, will bolster the back end,
And with his vast skill set, with the Cats D he will blend.
His addition will be like a trade deadline addition,
And if a championship arrives, he will be part of the tradition.

Of course we have Theo St-Denis, he surely knows when to pinch,
When it comes to rough stuff in the corners, he never does flinch.
Sometimes he's banged up, he must tell Head Coach when,
“Please let me know says Driebergen, don’t let that happen again.”
  
Seale Leader and Captain, a defenceman no better.
The only thing he is missing, an ugly Christmas sweater!
He leads by example, wheels up and down the sheet,
His playoff grit last March and April was amazing compete.
 
When we need a big tally, it's number 24 Grambart,
League-best 27 goals by Christmas, he has a big heart.
Came back this year with vengence, at times searched for feel,
But twenty-seven times over, sweet sniper proved real.

Panthers got a new glove warmer, Grambart most happy,
The puck coming off his stick was even more snappy!
When the warmer not on bus for three or four road trips,
Grambart clearly not happy, told Pete he was ripped!

Smitty has bounced around the lineup, at Forward at D,
And has been super effective for everyone to see.
He played on a top line in Comox against the Kings,
And scored two huge tallies, bus ride home did ring!
 
Mayer has been a nice pick up, was signed later in the year,
He adds scoring and speed, skills opponents do fear.
He was Captain of the Silvertips, but left to join Cats,
We all know after Christmas he will fatten the stats.

Cotie started strongly, found net his first game,
Injuries slowed him down and for that it's a shame.
The Cats looking for his return, soon after New Year,
He will again score some big goals, all opponents do fear.

Birks started slowly, bounced defence and then up,
But lately locked at centre, is no longer a pup.
He has huge skill for a rookie, Birksy really belongs,
When he gets even more confidence, he will do no wrong.

Crawford plays with an big edge, is leader and loud,
It's what this group needs if they want to be proud.
He's played his best hockey in 3rd year with Cats,
An important piece to the puzzle, Organization knows that.

Rosenblood experienced sore feet, at times face white as a ghost,
But Walton down at Kirby's, the Panthers do toast.
He got Rosey's skates right, what a crazy ordeal,
And his feet now feel so great, for once it's surreal.

Rosey can wheel up and down, a swiss knife which is good,
He played all forward positions, just because Rosey could.
But now after Christmas the team needs so much more,
He needs to be a leader, Cats need him to score.

Banks is like lightning and does score a big goal,
And learning compete, defence and grit are part of his role.
He gets better and better, sees the goalie's eyes and wiggles,
When he “walks” the opposing centre, the 'Bergen' gets giggles.

Every team needs a “Glue guy,” Phillips truly has fun,
But against the Victoria Cougars, a story was spun.
He was out of position, a goal scored, no two!
Coach 'Bergen was angry, Phillips was in the stew!

But bad moments pass, quite quickly folks scoff.
A couple nights later, he took a big face-off.
Wolves game was in OT, the 'Bergen needed a big draw,
He looked down the bench, and pulled out Phillips straw.

Phillips won the draw cleanly, there was never a doubt,
And he smiled quite widely, of course would not pout.
Phillips understands each role, players have to buy-in,
If each one does that, 'Bergen feels Panthers could win.
 
Of course there is P. Braun, is as quiet as they come,
Lets his play do his talking when he makes the puck hum.
Makes others around him much better, he is a great mate,
Has Cyclone Taylor Cup circled, April 13th is the date.
 
Team started off strongly, Panthers were on quite a roll,
Shot way up the standings after winning 8 in a row.
Our young guys have learned how to compete and now how to win,
Let’s put it all together after the break, no way we take it on the chin.
 
We have a good Club and we have potential to be great,
It's a great group with talent and all of them can skate.
There are 16 big games left in the Regular Season,
To try and not win them all, you couldn't give me a reason.

Last year we enjoyed winning, no feeling like a Champ,
But lifting up the trophy is not a rubber stamp.
If one less player gives one less percent,
We are basically saying we fold up our tent.

But if we give 100 for ourselves and for the guys on the team,
Whatever the outcome our smiles should beam.
We will look back in ten years, memories filling our mind,
With time in the rear view mirror, it wasn't a grind.
 
We all enjoyed Christmas, now back after the break,
With a focus on high standing and then give us some steak.
We will eat all the turkey and potatoes with kin,
But we’ll be thinking of playoffs, where we want the last win.

Cats wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year,
Chase your dreams in '23, stare down any fear.
Take care of your family, these people are gold,
They are ones who cheer loudly, Cats' fans are bold!