Jack Mac back!

Jack McMillan is one of the very few players on the Club who hail from parts other than Greater Victoria.  He grew up in South Delta and played in the Minor Hockey system there playing for the South Delta Storm.  He played several years on the West Coast All-Stars in Spring hockey under the tutilage of Owen Pighin and cracked the Major Midget Vancouver Canadians as a first year Midget.  McMillan played the following season for the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy as a 16-year-old and then attended the Peninsula Panthers Spring Camp in April of 2016.

"I still remember and chuckle about how I first met Jack and his father Sean," recalled Pete Zubersky.  "I was set up in one of the dressing rooms registering players for the camp as they arrived and Sean came in to drop off a cheque for Jack's camp.  He told me flat out that Jack did not want to play on the Panthers and that he was coming to the camp to get some experience and to possibly get named as an affiliate player for the upcoming season.  He said Jack was going back to PCHA and made no bones about it.  Jack really had a great camp and I remember he was wearing solid green socks and we all referred to him as "Green socks" throughout the weekend.  On the Sunday, Jack came in for his exit interview and I told him that he had a great weekend and that we were going to affiliate him.  He seemed unimpressed.  I asked him what was wrong and he said that he wanted to make the team and thought he played well enough to do just that.  I was shocked and told him he might want to go and have lunch with his dad and to give me a call.  Long story short, Sean called and said there had been a huge change of heart and we committed to Jack during that call.  Sean and Jack were both really impressed with the camp and the way things were run and they decided that weekend that the Peninsula was a place they wanted to be.  I can't believe how the time has passed with the blink of an eye and that this will be his third year!  Jack is an awesome kid and has a super supportive family.  I know he is excited about the season and wants to step up and be a leader on the Club."

Coach Tippett discussed his veteran right winger, "Jack comes into the season looking for a breakout year. We will be looking for him to provide leadership with consistent efforts shift after shift. He formed a strong penalty-killing duo with Logan Speirs and we hope they will continue to be our top pair up front when short-handed. Jack has shown flashes of goal scoring prowess and we should see more of that this year."

McMillan has enjoyed his time with the Panthers and will be attending Camosun College this fall taking psychology with the intent of becoming a Police Officer.

"My time with the Panthers has been surreal," quipped McMillan.  "I have been given an opportunity to play an important role since I joined the team.  And I have been blessed to play with great guys every year." 

McMillan was able to complete high school at Belmont Secondary with honours while playing with the Panthers. And last season he was awarded with the Unsung Hero award. In the past, he used the off season to gym train with his mentor Scott Hebert as well as on ice skills training at the Vancouver Hockey School lead by Derek Popke.  He was fortunate to be skating with Major Junior and Junior A players all summer long and the Panthers brass are hopeful that this will parlay into bigger and better things for McMillan.  Things should be comfortable off the ice as he will return to live with his amazing billet family, the Sharpe’s in Brentwood Bay.

"Last season was great. Winning games on Friday nights is such a great feeling! Our team really took a huge step forward last year and I anticipate a long campaign this year which will hopefully include a long playoff run.  I have been working hard on my shot and putting every puck in the net.  I love the saying I can, we will," explained the 19-year-old right winger.   

McMillan seems to have put all the pieces in place to take the next step for success for the 2018/19 season.  He has trained hard during the off-season, is comfortable with his teammates and surroundings at the rink, has his post secondary education lined up and has a soft and familiar pillow for his head each night.  Perhaps the title should read, "Jack Mac back, Jack Mac Attack!"