Poland tenure with Panthers comes to an end ahead of trade deadline

Esquimalt, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers got off to a poor start, going down 3-0 early in the first period against the Victoria Cougars at the Archie Browning Arena on Thursday evening.  And although the play went back and forth for much of the remainder of the game, the damage had been done as the Cougars downed the "Cats" from the Peninsula by a 5-0 count.

But the news of the night was made off ice when the Panthers Captain, 20-year-old Josh Poland was advised only minutes after the game that he had been traded to the Kerry Park Islanders in a complicated three-team transaction involving the Campbell River Storm. Three other players were moved between the Storm and Islanders.  The Panthers and Storm are still working out the details of this transaction however there will be future considerations moving to the Panthers at the end of the season.  The deal came only days before the January 10th trade deadline.

Poland was obtained in a mid-season trade with the Saanich Braves two years ago and was able to put the puck in the net consistantly over his time with the Panthers.  He was an Alternate Captain last season and this time around was named as the Panthers Captain.

"It is never an easy thing to trade your captain," said Head Coach Brad Tippett.   "Josh has done everything we asked of him including jumping back and playing defence.  This only came up late last night and it was not finalized until after the second period in the game this evening against the Cougars.  We thank Josh and wish him all the best."

Poland took the trade in stride and had a few comments after thanking his Head Coach.  "This probably won't sink in until tomorrow.  This team has meant so much to me over the past two years."

The 20-year-old veteran will not have to wait long to face his old mates as the Panthers will host the Islanders on Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre.  The puck is set to drop at 7:30 pm.