Another former Panther Justin Isaac added to coaching staff

The Peninsula Panthers are looking to move up several rungs this coming 2017/18 season after much of the heavy lifting was done in April in the Club's Spring Camp.  The Panthers signed several key players at all three positions however, the bench staff was still somewhat up in the air.

"When Brad Tippett joined the Organization last summer, I explained to him that I thought we needed some young blood behind the bench," explained General Manager Pete Zubersky.  "We decided that I would jump on the bench with Brad but I wanted this to be a short-term situation.  Brad is an awesome teacher and is great with the players and I told him that I think he would be an awesome mentor for a young coach.  We were fortunate to bring Matt Sheeran along - also a former Panther - and he will be working with the back end.  And we have also made another solid addition in Justin Isaac, a young fellow who will join the coaching staff and will be working with the forwards.  I love the coaching situation, it is really what I had envisioned for a couple of years now."

Isaac grew up developing in the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association and was part of a great program which landed three consecutive Provincial appearances.  In his first year of Midget, the young coach moved into the Major Midget Program and played there for two seasons.  He was selected to the Island Under 16 and Under 17 team and competed both years in the BC Cup.  He followed that up cracking the Peninsula Panthers squad, a team that went on to win a VIJHL Championship.  But injuries played a part in bringing an end to his playing career when shoulder injuries and a couple operations forced him to the sidelines. 

Isaac was still highly competitive and the game was still in his blood.  He decided to look at coaching as a way to stay in the game and spent six years coaching at the Peewee, Bantam and Midget levels at the Peninsula.  He has also coached Spring Hockey for the Island Monarchs. 

"I contacted Justin in the Spring and asked him if he would be interested in helping out with our Camp," said Zubersky.  "We wanted to get him out to see if he would be a fit and both Brad and I felt it was right."

"I am really excited to be joining the Peninsula Panthers Coaching Staff and working with Brad and Matt with an eye on bringing back a Championship to the Peninsula," said Isaac.  "The Panthers have a ton of young talent, kids that I have coached and helped develop at lower levels.  Seeing them grow into the players they are now is very rewarding and I am excited to be able to continue to be in the development chain and hopefully to help move some of them to the next level.  I have grown up on the Peninsula and was even the "Player of the Week" when I was only eight years old.  I always had a passion to play on the Panthers.  Now coming back as a coach and being part of such a great Organization is special.  I think we have all the tools to be a very successful team in the VIJHL and I am looking at this as a great opportunity."

Tippett now looks set behind the bench for when the puck drops for real in September.  "Part of a Head Coach's role is to mentor young coaches," said the WHL veteran bench boss.  "I spoke to a number of players who had played for Justin in the past and will be in a Panthers uniform in the present.  Every single player felt that Justin would be a solid addition.  Justin was a forward in his playing days and Matt Sheeran was a defenceman.  Having two Assistants with complimentary backgrounds is ideal for practices and bench management.  The role of an assistant coach involves being a bit of a bridge between the players and the Head Coach.  Justin's prior experiences with many of our roster gives him instant credibility and respect."

The Panthers will open Camp in August and will play their first exhibition game on August 25th when they host the Westshore Wolves.  The Club is still searching for some billet homes and ask that you contact Pete Zubersky (250-588-2151) for further information.