Sheeran's back - added to Panthers Coach Staff!

Matt Sheeran has returned to the Peninsula Panthers Organization, this time in the coaching capacity rather than blasting pucks from the point position.  The Panthers have also added Justin Isaac to the staff and the pair will join Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Tippett in guiding the Club for the upcoming 2017/18 season.

Sheeran played for the Panthers during the 2013/14 season as a 20-year-old veteran after returning from a 3-year stint in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with Battleford.  His arrival on an already strong squad seemed to inject more life into the group and his leadership was key to the Club making it to the VIJHL finals that season.

"I honestly don't think there has been a player come into our Organization who has made a bigger difference in terms of winning hockey games," said Panthers' General Manager Pete Zubersky.  "Matt called me at noon in late October and indicated that he wanted to play back home here on the Peninsula.  I had him approved by late afternoon and he was in the lineup that night.  His impact was amazing, the attitude changed from night to day and we started on a roll.  I'm really excited to see him on the bench working with our defencemen."

Sheeran took a year off hockey once the 2013/14 season was over to attend to a chronic shoulder problem.  He relocated to the Kelowna area and helped out with the Junior "B" Club in the KIJHL.  Sheeran was approached by Simon Fraser and played a year of University Hockey for that Club. He has now applied for the Central Saanich Police Service and has relocated back onto the Peninsula.

The young coach was clearly pleased to be back in the den with the Panthers.  "I am extremely excited to return and give back to a team that gave me so much," said Sheeran.  "I can't wait to start a new chapter beside Brad and Justin and I look forward to the process of bringing home a championship.  I know Justin personally and have heard nothing but good things about Brad.  I also wanted to thank the Panthers Organization for bringing me back and bringing me on and I will do anything to help better the program."

The Head Coach had several comments.  "I don't know Matt but Pete speaks very highly of him and I do believe that this will be a nice fit for our team.  When Matt gets back into town, we can sit down and get to know each other a bit more.  From all accounts he was a great kid when he played here, was intense and brought that out in the rest of the players.  Again, I think this will be a really nice fit."

Tippett has managed to sit down and meet with Isaac; a face that is familiar to coaching out on the Peninsula.  Further details on the addition of Isaac will follow in an article in the next several days.