The puck stops here - McKillop

The Saanich Peninsula has it's own "Friday night lights" as locals gather at the Panorama Recreation Centre to watch the hometown Peninsula Panthers host a visitor from the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.  It is somewhat of a tradition in hockey circles and it's an evening that allows people to come together after the week of work has come to a close for most.  It's a time to have a coffee, watch some hockey and catch up on what has happened over the past seven days.

The Peninsula Panthers make a point each season of recruiting good people, players who will fit into the culture in the room as well as the culture on the Peninsula.  And in signing Connor McKillop this past summer, the Organization hit the nail on the head once again.

"I have taken my passion for the game of hockey and shared it with others," said the hulking goaltender who will battle Chris Akerman in a healthy competition for playing time between the pipes for the Club in the 2018/19 season.  And for an outsider looking in, McKillop has done more than share it with others, he has become a leader at a very young age.  For the past five years - since he was only 13 years old - McKillop has been an assistant coach and mentor for the South Island Ravens.  This is a group of enthusiastic kids with a variety of special needs.

"Working with this amazing group of kids and their families has taught me how to communicate clearly and reminds me everyday that, at its root, we should simply play hockey for the love of the game!  These kids aren't the fastest skaters, or have the strongest shots, but they love every minute of their time spent on the ice.  I am so grateful for the chance to share that with them," said the stopper.

Connor McKillop started playing hockey in the Saanich Minor Hockey Association at the tender age of five years old.  He played five years of spring hockey with the Island Stars and Island Selects and it was during this time that he formed friendships with other players up and down Vancouver Island.  One only needs to chat with McKillop for a minute or two to understand that it would not be hard for him to make friends.  And one of those players whom he met and one whom he became friends with was none other than his tandem partner with the Panthers, Chris Akerman.  The two will battle for playing time between the pipes for playing time but it will be a healthy competition for the pair of 19-year-olds, a situation that every team is searching for.

McKillop explained, "It was my time with the Selects that I really got to know Chris and form a strong bond with him.  It's one of many reasons I'm so happy to be playing on the Panthers this season.  Being a goalie can be a solitary position which is why it's so great when you can share the position with a good friend."

Last season McKillop was signed with the Victoria Cougars but did not see as much ice as he would have liked.  But the Panthers' brass liked what they saw when they watched from afar and on December 1st when he was released, Head Coach Brad Tippett dropped a dime and made a call.  McKillop practiced with the Panthers and signed on as an affiliate player, but in the final couple of games and into the playoffs he grabbed the number one spot in goal and ran with it after Akerman went down with an injury.

McKillop remembers the time well.  "Last season had its share of challenges for me and I was so happy to get a phone call from Coach Tippett asking me to come and play.  The opportunity that the Panthers gave me during the playoffs in particular was the highlight of the season for me.  The Panthers' coaching staff and players instantly made me feel like a part of the team and I was so happy to be able to perform well and support them during the playoff run.  Because of this experience, I'm so proud to be playing with the Panthers again."

Tippett loves McKillop for what he does in the room and on the ice and offered his view.  "Connor turned out to be a real savior for us down the stretch last season. As an affiliate player, the rules permitted him to only play a few games after January 10^th . The opportunity presented itself late in the season and he grabbed the crease and simply would not relinquish it.  We were very impressed with his mature attitude, how he was immediately respected by teammates, and how he and Chris Akerman supported one another. It is comforting to know we enter the season with two proven goaltenders."

McKillop is currently enrolled in his second year at Camosun College in the Criminal Justice Program and has his sights set on becoming a Police Officer.  "I've always had a strong sense of right and wrong and hockey has taught me how important it is to me to be part of a team."

The Panthers open their home schedule on September 7th at 7:30 pm against the Westshore Wolves and it is far too early for Tippett to know if it will be McKillop or Akerman between the pipes.  But some things he does know.  He will be comfortable with whomever it is.  Whoever is the backup will be pulling for the starter.  And the locals who make it out for the game will now know that McKillop has character and truly cares; two traits on which the Organization places high value.