Evans heading to Salt Lake City with the Utah Outliers

Two years ago Zack Evans was a 17-year-old defenceman with the Peninsula Midget AA Eagles.  Pete Zubersky had watched the youngster play for several years in minor hockey and also watched him as a regular at most Panthers games over the years.  Evans was affiliated with the Panthers that season and played several games with the Club.  He was "Game" and was never shy about getting involved in on-ice shenanigans.

Last summer, the Panthers were rounding out their roster and Zubersky decided to ink Evans.  The youngster struggled early however, got better as the year moved on.  He became a physical force for the Panthers and ended up having two memorable scraps with two of the VIJHL's toughest 20-year-old players.

"I remember when he was jumped in Kerry Park and he stood toe-to-toe with the toughest kid in the league," smiled Zubersky.  "Things seemed to change for him after that scrap.  I think he got a lot of confidence and he just carried himself differently.  Later he rocked a Campbell River tough guy coming through the neutral zone in our building and once again was forced  to step up to the plate.  He was not intimidated in any way and it was nice to see he could take care of himself.  Confidence is so important but equally important is the will to play and the love of the game.  Zack was always the first kid to the rink, every single time.  He was selected as our Most Improved Player last season.  I honestly don't think he said five words all season long.  And he never took his cap off, I think he was born wearing one.  I have known Zack for a number of years and I will really miss the kid."



Evans attended a prospects showcase in Las Vegas in the late Spring and was noticed by a number of teams.  A couple of teams showed interest in the youngster and after looking at all the information that was available, he decided to head South to Salt Lake City.  It was clear that the husky defenceman did not forget his roots.

"I want to thank Head Coach Brad Tippett and the Panthers Organization for the opportunities that were given to me this past season," said Evans.  "Most Peninsula Minor Hockey Association players grow up dreaming of playing for the Panthers and I feel very honoured to have had that dream come true.  I have been attending Panthers games since the 1999 season.  I will never forget growing up as a PMHA player and attending Monday evening pond hockey for young kids run by the Club.  I will never forget being a Panthers Player of the Week and all of the annual jersey give-away games.  It was a chance to get up close with my idols as a youngster.  The Panthers Organization affiliated me in the 2015/16 season and gave me the chance to play in seven regular season games.  I was lucky enough to also be invited to all of their practices.  The Panthers really gave me the opportunity to develop and adapt to the high talent level in the VIJHL.  I am very excited to take the next step and play Junior A for the Utah Outliers of the WSHL.  I am looking forward to playing a high level of hockey in a new place.  Leaving home to play hockey is something that I have never experienced before and I believe it will push my drive for hockey to the next level.  I would also like to thank Coreen and Pete for believing in me and giving me the chance to play hockey at home for the Panthers."

Coreen Zubersky is the President of the Panthers Hockey Club and remembers Evans with fondness.  "I recall Zack at all the games since he was a small boy.  He was always wandering around the Lobby before the games and he seemed to be a mainstay at the Concession.  There are a lot of kids who started coming to games at a very early age and ended up playing for the Panthers.  We literally watched them grow up at the rink.  Zack is one of these boys and I'm sure we will still see him and his family around on occasion."

Tippett enjoyed having Evans on the Club and loved that he offered some physical presence in his rookie season with the Panthers.

"Zack just quietly and consistently became a bigger part of the team each day.  He found a complementary partner in Braeden Hansen and the two emerged as a shut-down pair - especially in the penalty killing.  He works hard on and off the ice.  He thinks the game well and understands he has to play within himself to be successful.  Zack is one of those players that does a lot of little subtle things right - things fans don't always notice but his teammates and coaches do."

The entire Panthers Organization wish Zack the best of luck in the next part of his exciting hockey journey.