Panthers move Owens to Braves for veteran goaltender Bryce Schiebel

September 17, 2017
North Saanich, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers and Saanich Braves had been talking for several weeks about making a blockbuster trade and on Saturday in the early evening, the talks intensified and the blockbuster deal came to fruition.

Changing postal codes and going to the Saanich Braves will be 20-year-old skilled forward Trevor Owens while 18-year-old Goaltender Bryce Schiebel will be kicking out pucks for the Panthers at practice as soon as Monday evening.  The Panthers also received future considerations in the transaction when all the smoke had cleared.

Owens had been in a Panthers uniform for the past three seasons while Schiebel had toiled in Saanich for the Braves for the past two years.  The two Clubs exchanged quality for quality however, neither player had seen game action this season.  Schiebel had been in a Junior A camp in Saskatchewan and was released earlier in the week.

Head Coach Brad Tippett made a comment right after the trade on Saturday to the effect that the Panthers might have just obtained two Goaltenders in the deal.  Eighteen-year-old rookie Chris Akerman was carrying the load for the Panthers in the four games thus far. 

"It was probably a bit much to expect from a young rookie in the most pressure-packed position in sports," said General Manager Pete Zubersky.  "We think that Chris will probably be more relaxed now that we have a young veteran as part of our goaltending tandem and I think we will see him be even better as we move forward.  We saw some glimpses of brilliance from Chris and with Bryce now in the fold, we believe we will get everything we want from the two of them.  I know our players are excited about the deal."

Tippett, the Panthers bench boss chimed in.  "Making a trade of this magnitude usually comes with risk. I think both teams plugged a hole in their depth charts. That comes at a price. This is a battleship for a battleship.  We think we now have a tandem in goal as good as anyone in the league. This sends a statement that we are willing to do whatever is required to pursue the game plan the franchise has set out.
 
The term “Young veteran player” is an oxymoron. Players that do fit that description are extremely hard to come by. Most goalies only come into this league as 18-year-olds. Bryce is 18 and already has two years experience. Both were key factors in this deal. We now have two solid goaltenders who will push each other in the net.
 
We want to thank Trevor for his past contribution to the Panthers and wish him well in all his future endeavors."

The Panthers will have a week of practice before heading up Island next Sunday to face off against the Oceanside Generals.  They will play two more games on the road before returning to the Panorama Recreation Centre for their opener against the Westshore Wolves on Friday, October 6th at 7:30 pm.