PMHA product McTavish inked by Panthers

Brendan McTavish attended the Peninsula Panthers Spring Camp early in April and the puck-moving defenceman did not dissappoint.  Coach Brad Tippett had already liked what he saw from the Captain of the Peninsula Eagles Midget AA Club as McTavish had practiced and played games as an affiliate with the big Club.  And at the end of the Spring Camp, McTavish was inked for the upcoming 2018/19 season.

"I asked Skyler Diamond-Burchuk late last season who he liked to partner with on defence," said Pete Zubersky.  "Skyler is a smart kid and a great defenceman and so I really take what he has to say seriously.  Skyler did not hesitate for even a second and blurted out the name McTavish.  I was surprised by that as both guys, although not small, are certainly not big.  I think that both move the puck nicely and play a similar and smart game and so they seemed to click when Brad put them together when Brendan was in the lineup."

McTavish played all of his hockey in Peninsula Minor Hockey and has always aspired to play on the Panthers.  He had a simple mantra and that was he just wanted to see where the game would take him and it seemed to motivate him in the dog days that every season sees.

McTavish played both forward and defence as he wound his way through hockey over the years and looked more ice than usual when he joined the Parkland's Hockey Academy.  He has played on the same team with current Panthers' Riley Braun, Josh Lingard and Logan Speirs at various times over the years and coming onto the squad this season should be quite a comfortable experience for him, including two seasons ago when they all went to the Midget AA Provincials after winning the Island.

Last season Midget Coach Paul Warmenhoven named the red-headed McTavish as the Captain of his Club and he had nothing but praise for him.  The Midget's were knocked out of the playoffs however, McTavish joined the Panthers and played in Game 5 of round 1 against the Campbell River Storm in front of a packed house.  McTavish took a regular shift and it was only in the last several minutes that the Storm were able to knot the score and then tally the eventual winner.  The experience should serve him well this time around.

Coach Tippett certainly likes his new addition and opened up about McTavish.  "Brendan has the advantage of practicing for most of last year and playing a number of games. Just being familiar with everyone in our room and with our systems gives him a leg up on other players competing for a job on the blue line. He looks like he has worked on getting stronger and put on some muscle during the summer. Skyler Diamond-Burchak and him seemed to find a little chemistry together last year and we will likely see the two of them paired together the first couple of weeks.

McTavish is looking to write the next chapter of his hockey travels with his first crack at the Junior level.  And he will not have to wait long.  The Panthers open their exhibition season at home on Friday, August 24th when they will host the visiting Kerry Park Islanders at 7:30 pm.  The game will feature all-rookie lineups for both squads.  All tickets will be $5.00.