Dawes hitting all the notes

The Regular Season was about to get underway and Pete Zubersky received some crunching off-ice news from Barb Butler, mother of Panthers' singer Clayton Butler.  Clayton was heading to the Eastern United States to go to school and further his singing aspirations and although Zubersky was absolutely thrilled for the youngster, it left the Club in a bit of a bind.  The Panthers' GM put out an all-points-bulletin on social media looking to fill the new-found void however, this effort failed miserably.  He then called to a few of the Music Academy's on the Saanich Peninsula letting them know that the Panthers were in the market for a singer to help them out on Friday's at their home games, but for the next couple of days he did not hear anything back.  But things sudenly changed with one phone call.

"I can't remember if it was a call or an email but Jacquie Dawes contacted me and let me know that her son Brendan Dawes would love to give it a shot," quipped Zubersky.  "Jacquie said that Brendan was excited for the opportunity and that was good enough for me.  I mean, I remember a young Clayton Butler and he ended up singing for the NHL Hockeyville game and so we were actually more than willing to roll the dice on another youngster."

Brendan and his parents Len and Jacquie arrived at a Panthers game several weeks ago and searched out Zubersky.  "I brought him into the Panthers office and suggested he wear a Panthers jersey, but the young fellow had a million questions," said the GM.   "I could tell he was on edge and that was fine by me.  I love the young kids with the wide eyes and Brendan's were wider than most!  I took him down to ice level and our Timekeeper, Jason Fletcher took him under his wing.  And Brendan had a million questions for him as well.  We both chuckled about it after the game."

Brendan is a Grade six student who was born and raised in Victoria.  He is a member of the Victoria Children's Choir and has been for the past two years but also plays the piano and guitar.  He has performed with the Peninsula Singers as part of a small guest children's ensemble, in the choir including as a soloist.  The young singer has also performed as a guest soloist at the Saltspring Winery and in the Saltspring Christmas Scrooge play.  But he also is involved in local sports.  Brendan plays in the Pee Wee "C" Minor Division at the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association and also plays baseball.  His father played for the old Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League, was drafted in the 2nd round and 36th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks and played two seasons in the American Hockey League for the Springfield Indians.

As Brendan walked onto the ice, his eyes became even wider.  And when he went to sing the first few words nothing came out.  But he battled his nerves and midway through the Anthem it started to flow.  And flow it did! 

"I was blown away by the kid," explained Zubersky.  "I know nothing about singing or music or about a bunch of things for that matter, but I do know that his singing touched me deep in my heart.  He was so excited when he walked off the ice and I knew we had found a winner.  Coreen is always so busy in the front with fans as they arrive and is unable to listen and watch when our singer hits the ice. I told her that night after the game that she has to find a few moments to hear this kid sing.  I am blown away by his talent and we are so lucky to have bumped into him and his mom and dad.  The Dawes family seem like such awesome people; how fortunate are we?!"

Dawes will be back at it this coming Friday when the Panthers look to extend their home winning streak to six games as they welcome in the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.  And the Panthers, like Dawes, will be looking to not miss a beat.  The Anthem and the puck are set to go at 7:30 pm.