Panthers grab big piece with addition of Coughlin

The Peninsula Panthers contest was postponed on Friday evening at the Panorama Recreation Centre as wind and weather wreaked havoc on the Saanich Peninsula.  Power outages stymied the usual daily flow resulting in 600 homes without Hydro.  After various conversations between the Panthers, Panorama Recreation Management, VIJHL and others, it was felt that the prudent choice would be to put the game on ice for another day.

Although the Club was not involved on the ice, Friday afternoon was still a remarkable one when the Panthers Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Tippett pulled the trigger on his second move of the season after obtaining Chase O'Keefe from the Westshore Wolves earlier in the campaign.  Tippett and Saanich Braves Coach and GM Brad Cook got together and the result saw 17-year-old forward Drew Coughlin moved to the Peninsula, while heading the other direction was 19-year-old Defenceman Mitch Moloney. 

Moloney was having a strong year on the back end and had tallied a goal and six helpers in 12 games.  He had been obtained via the trade route midway through last season after playing two seasons in Victoria with the Cougars. 

Coughlin was signed by the Braves last season as a 16-year-old and in 43 games managed a goal and eight assists.  This season he had played in 13 games and although Left Winger had not yet lit the lamp, he did have an impressive 10 helpers.

Despite the quality of the players exchanging addresses, the trade between the two Clubs did not take long and discussions took place for only several days.  "Sometimes trades just materialize that are good for both players, for both teams and this would be one of them," said Tippett.  "We are constantly going over the depth charts of the other teams and identifying players that we like.  Drew had our eye.  He is a special player in that he is a '17-year-old veteran' and that is rare and one of the reasons he was at the top of our wish list."

The Panthers bench boss continued on the transaction.  "We really had no intention of making a move of this magnitude.  There had been a number of calls from teams about Mitch which we had simply dismissed.  Brad Cook and I had some conversations about other matters and this topic came up.  Our Clubs are at different places in the development path.  We both had something the other needed.  For us to trade a veteran right-handed defenceman like Mitch, we wanted to have a valuable player in return.  It is a fine line between balancing the best interests of the player and your team."

Although new to the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League after years in the WHL, Tippett found Cook to be a good dance partner.  "I commend Brad Cook and his organization.  This came together quickly and we are in agreement that it was a win/win move for everyone involved."

Coughlin hails from Greater Victoria and has rubbed shoulders with several of the Panthers players before and his transition with the Club should be seamless.  Tippett explained, "Drew has played with a few of our current players before.  While it is tough to lose a strong personality in the room, we managed to add a young player who is highly respected for his skill and character.  His acquisition more than addresses our shortage of left-handed forwards and that was a bonus.  It will allow for more flexibility with our lines.  Josh Poland will move back to his normal position at Centre and Bailey Ross, who was filling in up front on the left side, will slide back to defence which is his natural position.  We are all extremely happy to welcome in Drew; he will help us a lot."

Pete Zubersky remembers Coughlin well.  "When Drew was 14 he skated with the Club on Monday evenings throughout the season.  The youngster could really fly even back then and our guys thought a lot of him and the way in which he carried himself.  It seems like only a day ago now even though three years have gone by.  Back then he was just a small, fast young fellow.  Today he is 6' and growing and we are thrilled to have added him to the roster.  Drew will really fit well with the group that we have here."

The Peninsula Panthers Organization take the opportunity to thank Mitch Moloney for the time he spent with the Organization and wish him health and the best of luck as he continues his Junior Hockey Career in Saanich with the Braves.

The Panthers are scheduled to head to Campbell River on Sunday for a 4:00 pm game against the Storm and it will be the first opportunity for Coughlin to join his new mates in game action.  The Club will be back in action next Friday when they host the visiting Nanaimo Buccaneers in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre.

Panthers Tracks....LW/C Holden Cochrane has been out of the lineup for over a month however, practiced this past weekend and looks like he will be playing on Sunday....Winger Marshall Brown broke his leg back on August 26th in exhibition action and has just now been cleared by his Doctor to play....Brown will have a solid week of practice and will be a game-time decision next Friday....Trevor Owens broke his leg in the 2nd regular season game in Saanich on September 3rd and is seeing his Doctor once again this coming week....Owens will most likely be another 3-4 weeks for a return, possibly in early November....The Panthers are still in search of a 2nd broadcast person for Fasthockey....Will Bryant has come to an agreement with the Club and will be behind the microphone for the balance of the season....