Panthers hold awards banquet to packed house

The Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club played host to the Peninsula Panthers Awards Dinner Saturday evening, a night coming on the heels of a dramatic 3-2 Overtime win on Friday night to close out the regular season for the Club.  A large and raucous crowd inhabited the Panorama Recreation Centre on Friday and on Saturday, the Awards Dinner venue could not have fit another person.  Award winners were:

Volunteer of the Year - Brad Tippett
Steve Simpson Memorial (Character, Courage & Heart) - Ty Hermsen
Top Scorer - Drew Coughlin
Community Leadership - Gavin Yee
Fan Favourite - Koby Hale
Unsung Hero - Kai Turner
Most Improved - Zack Evans
Best Defenceman - Braeden Hansen
Most Sportsmanlike - Marshall Brown
Rookie of the Year - Shota Yamamoto
Most Valuable Player - Trevor Owens

Play-by-Play Announcer Will Bryant as well as stickboys Malcolm "Sticky" Fletcher and Cam Sneek were also presented with Special Awards. 

The Club has two 20-year-old players in Kai Turner and Duncan Cochrane, both of whom are playing in their last season of Junior eligilibility, a point that was made quite clear at the Dinner.  Both had words for the people in attendance.

The highlight of the evening was when the Steve Simpson Memorial was presented by his sister, Wendy Watt.  Watt gave an emotional speech that did not leave a dry eye in the building and it culminated when Ty Hermsen stepped up to accept the award.  She talked about her brother, the days that followed his death and she also made a point to the group how important it is to make good decisions.  Steve Simpson was a passenger in a vehicle that was driven by an impaired driver and it was clear that Wendy was doing her best to make sure the youth in attendance at the dinner understood that decisions that are made can impact your life forever.

Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Tippett enjoyed the evening and had several things to say when asked about it.  "We had so many worthy choices for almost every award.  Some players were worthy for multiple awards.  Last night's comeback OT win and the positive atmosphere of the banquet were just what the doctor ordered for Monday's "Sudden Life" playoff game."

He continued, "Marshall Brown and Trevor Owens - how much they accomplished in basically just over half a season.  Owens is a coach's dream as he excels in all areas of the ice, somewhat like a Jonathon Toews.  Kai Turner was the Grandfather of this crew and in his own quiet way was an example of doing the little things right.  Duncan Cochrane alone with Kai are playing out the string as 20's and both will be missed.  Drew Coughlin became a bonafide threat every time on the ice.  From the defence Shota Yamamoto was a great selection as the Rookie of the Year.  Braeden Hansen was full value for Best Defenceman and Zack Evans most certainly deserved Most Improved.  Thomas Spink has been so strong the past two weeks and he really could have been chosen for any of these three awards.  The choices were tough to make.  It was just a good evening to see the smiles on the players' faces.  This group has been through a lot of tough times this year and battled through it.  It is a testament to their character and resolve.

The Panthers will head up to Oceanside on Monday evening for a 7:30 pm start and all the marbles will be on the table in the Sudden Death & Sudden Life game.  The winner will move on to a Best-of-7 series against the Campbell River Storm while the loser will be relegated to the sidelines.