O'My.....O'Keefe! Panthers add smooth-skating Defenceman

It was three years ago when a 15-year-old Chase O'Keefe graced the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre for three days during April.  The Peninsula Panthers were holding a Spring Identification camp in the middle of April, 2013 when the young and wide-eyed left shot defenceman had his first taste of Junior Hockey.

"I remember the young fellow very well," explained Panthers GM Pete Zubersky.  "Chase was taking everything in during the camp even though he could not be signed to this level at his young age.  I remember being on the bench during a couple of his games and he seemed like such an awesome young fellow and he was clearly holding his own, even though he was one of the youngest kids in our camp.  I have no doubt that the experience was a good thing for him and when he left, I felt that he enjoyed the three days a lot.  Everyone in our organization involved in that camp enjoyed him."

O'Keefe signed as an affiliate player with the Westshore Wolves the following summer and played ten games for the Panthers crosstown rivals in the 2014/15 season.  Zubersky kept a close watch on the young man from a distance.

"I spoke to Chase's father Glen a couple times over the next couple years, just chance meetings usually at the Westhills rink in Langford," said Zubersky.  "He seemed like a good fellow, a real positive guy and I thought that his son fit into that same mould.  I have always felt that Chase would fit well in our dressing room.  The talks were really about nothing specific but I always thought his son was a player."

Zubersky discussed O'Keefe with the Wolves General Manager Ken Carson on a number of different occasions over last season and over the summer, always expressing an interest in acquiring the young defenceman's playing rights.  Each time, Carson rebuffed the suggestion.  In fact, the two texted back and forth twice earlier this summer but Carson was still very reluctant to give up O'Keefe. 

The Wolves had an abundance of defencemen in Camp in late August and early September and in the past couple of days things changed.  O'Keefe suddenly became available and Carson and Zubersky sparked up a conversation regarding a trade.  And it did not take long for the two teams to come to terms on what it would take to swing the deal.  "The trade was for cash considerations and I think we went back and forth just one time," explained Zubersky.  "I believe that Ken has a pretty close relationship with Chase and his family and I think he wanted to make this as easy on the boy and his family as possible.  This whole situation was more about the Panthers wanting the player rather than the Wolves wanting to move him out.  We are pretty excited and will slot him into the lineup this Friday night."

O'Keefe had 19 assists last season for the Wolves and the Panthers are hopeful that he can improve on that solid number.  He can skate and sees the ice well and should be a nice fit on the blueline for the Panthers, who have a number of rookies in that position coming into this season. 

The VIJHL veteran still has hopes of climbing the hockey ladder into the BCHL and then on to the NCAA at some point in the future. 

The two Clubs pulled the trigger on the trade late Monday night and after Zubersky spoke with O'Keefe, the two were on the same page.  O'Keefe was clearly shocked by the news however, by Tuesday afternoon the news had fully set in and he was ready to turn the page in his hockey career.

"I'm very excited for a fresh start with the Panthers," expounded O'Keefe.  "Peninsula teams always work very hard, are tough to play against and are a greatly run organization.  I'm thrilled to be joing the Panthers."

O'Keefe will practice with his new mates on Wednesday evening before hitting the ice on Friday night when a banged up Panthers squad will attempt to chill the fortunes of the visiting Comox Valley Glacier Kings.  Puck is set to drop at 7:30 p.m.