Spink named Captain for 2018/19 sesason

Thomas Spink hails from Parksville and has seen his residence change a couple of times in the past several years due to hockey commitments.  As a 15-year-old, Spink played down in Victoria at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy and the following year ventured a bit farther away from home when he attended the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy located in the Okanagan.  He was invited to the Panthers' Spring camp after that season at POE but almost slipped through the cracks save for a last minute phone call by Pete Zubersky to Spink's father, Jake.  The Spink family had forwarded in the camp application however, Zubersky had not spoken with them and so decided to make the call.

"I called Jake with just a couple days to go before the camp was set go to confirm that Thomas was coming in for the Friday session," explained Zubersky.  "They had not made travel arrangements but Jake was right on it and said that he would get a flight for Thomas out of Kelowna to Victoria and I am happy that he did.  Thomas looked cool and composed over the weekend and was probably our best defenceman in that camp.  Shota Yamamoto was a year younger than Thomas as a 16-year-old and the pair both made the team and partnered together for the past two seasons.  Shota has moved on to attend University in Ontario at Queens but Thomas has remained and will now Captain our squad.  How he goes will really dictate how we go, he is a huge piece in what we are trying to accomplish."

Spink played 20 minutes in the Panthers' opener in Westshore last Wednesday however was a bit banged up coming out of that game and was forced to the sidelines for the Panthers' home opener last Friday.  The Club lost 4-3 in overtime but had held the lead until just four minutes were left in the game against those same Wolves.

"I  believe if Thomas had been in the lineup, we would have put a "W" up on the board.  I don't think he will be out for very long and when he is back, it will be a sight for sore eyes," quipped Zubersky.

The Club will most likely be welcoming 6'4" Defenceman Alex Benger back into the lineup when they play host to the Oceanside Generals this Friday.  Benger had been in the Olds Grizzlies Junior A camp until Saturday however, was a late release by that Club.  As for Spink, he too is expected back on Friday and he too had been out in Alberta in the Calgary Canucks Junior A camp.  By all accounts, Spink could have most likely cracked that lineup however his heart was still on the Peninsula and he decided to return.

"I really like our room, the players on the team this year," said the new Captain.  "We have always had great guys but this year just feels different.  I just feel we can do some special things this season and I think Brad and Pete feel the same.  I am proud to have been selected as the Captain by Brad and his staff and I want to be a leader and a great Captain."

Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Tippett has nothing but good things to say about his veteran leader on the back end.  "Thomas returns to the Panthers for his third season.  He is an anchor for us both on the blue line and in the dressing room.  A man of few words he lets his actions speak for themselves.  He has deceptive speed with long flowing strides and it is only when he almost effortlessly blows by people, we realize just how fast he is really going.  Early in his tenure with us and like most young defensemen, he tried to make a play when there wasn't really a low risk option play available.  He works hard to understand the game, read plays and makes good decisions with the puck.   He also has a bit of nasty side to him. When discussing the elite defensemen in the league, his name will always be in the conversation.  Thomas has the respect of the dressing room and coaching staff, making him the obvious choice to be this year’s captain."

As luck would have it, both Spink and Benger turned up to practice on Monday night just as this article was going to press.  Both will play Friday night at home in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre with the puck set to drop at 7:30 pm.  And Spink, Benger and the entire Panthers' squad are hoping that the Rear Admiral is on their side and that they will be the ones giving the Generals their orders.