Akerman on the move to White Rock Whalers

The Peninsula Panthers continued working their roster for the upcoming VIJHL season and after signing six players out of their camp in April, the Club has now swung three different deals moving 20-year-olds in each transaction. 

Right Winger Jack McMillan requested a trade in order to head back closer to his home in Delta on the Lower Mainland back in April and let the Organization know that his preferred landing spot was with the Richmond Sockeyes.  Two weeks after his request, a deal for cash was completed with the Sockeyes.

The Panthers were a bit heavy on the back end in terms of numbers and three weeks ago, protracted discussions were held with the Campbell River Storm in regards to Scott Arbuckle.  After some conversation between the two Clubs and then with Arbuckle, the big defenceman was moved to the Storm for cash.

The Panthers had a situation where it looked as though they would be heading into September with two-twenty year old goaltenders and as would be expected, both wanted the opportunity to be the starter.  And on Wednesday afternoon, the problem was solved as netminder Chris Akerman was moved to the the White Rock Whalers of the PJHL for Dylan Tonks and cash.  Tonks was then moved to the Nanaimo Buccaneers for cash.

"We really like our team coming into this season," explained Pete Zubersky.  "We signed some kids that caught our eye coming out of our Spring Camp but we had to make some room for them to develop.  We also wanted to make it work for the kids who were being traded off the squad and that was an extremely important component in each of the three deals we made.  Head Coach Brad Tippett was burning up the phone lines and keeping the players involved in the decisions that were being made and I really believe that the moves will be great for all three kids.  We had a goal to make the deals for cash.  We think we need to add one or two key pieces and the monies that we have coming this way will pay dividends when we need to make it work down the road."

Over the next three days each player will be featured in an article discussing the player, his time with the Club and some of the details involved in each of the trades. 

'99 Goaltender Chris Akerman
Akerman was signed out of Spring Camp as an 18-year-old after playing his Midget season in the Cowichan Valley.  The big target often wore his emotions on his sleeve and it was always easy to see that his heart was with the Club; was with his mates. 

During his exit interview at the end of the season, Akerman made it clear that he wanted the opportunity to be a starter and that he was willing to be moved if need be.  As always, he was respectful in the meeting as he was each and every day during his two years with the Club.  Chris indicated that his first choice would be the Kerry Park Islanders as there were numerous players on that Club that he had played with in the past.  Tippett and Zubersky both had conversations with the Islanders at various times in regards to Akerman but due to recent ownership changes in Kerry Park, it was hard to gain any traction.  Tippett had some conversations with the White Rock management and there was clearly a fit.  Akerman was contacted and he indicated that he had relatives in White Rock and that his goalie coach hailed from those parts.  The Whalers were a great trading partner and the move also allowed forward Dylan Tonks to move from White Rock to Nanaimo through the Panthers.  Bucs owner Clayton Robinson had previously coached Tonks and this transaction also allowed the two to form a synergy once again.  This deal was a clear win-win-win for the three teams involved and a clear win-win for the two players.

"We really wanted to make sure that Chris landed in a great situation.  Before Brad even called Chris, we talked about it and I said that if Chris was my son I would absolutely tell him to jump at the opportunity.  I think it will be really an exciting move for him and we will all be watching how he is making out throughout the year," said Zubersky.

Zubersky continued, "Chris was a wonderful kid during his time here. He won a couple individual team awards and down the stretch he was lights out.  I will look forward to talking to him many times over the next many years."

Akerman talked to his family and let Tippett know that he was happy with the situation and was looking forward to heading to White Rock.  The big stopper, who hails from Salt Spring Island and billeted during his time with the Club, passed along some heartfelt words to Tippett during the evening shortly after the transaction on Wednesday:

To: The Panthers organization
I would like to thank everyone for a great two years. I have enjoyed every second of this experience, every bus ride, every home game, every team meal, every practice. I can't tell you how much I have appreciated everything you guys have done for me. I would like to thank Brad Tippett for being a amazing coach and for believing in me since day one. I would like to thank Pete and Coreen for everything they do for this team, they bust their tails every day to make this team as successful as possible. As well, I would like to thank my brothers, my boys, my teammates, I am gonna miss playing with them and hanging out with them. I wish the Panthers luck in the upcoming season. I am very excited to open up a new chapter in White Rock and I thank the Panthers and the Whalers for making it happen.
#33 Chris Akerman

Tippett comments on Akerman:
Chris has been a big part of the team’s success over the last two years. He is a fiery competitor and a big part of our dressing room leadership. He worked hard each and every day to get better and was just a super young man to coach. We met with both goaltenders at the end of the season and discussed the future with two 20-year-old goalies. Both Chris and Connor McKillop are bona-fide starting goaltenders in our league and they have earned and deserve a chance to be “The Guy”. I’ve said it before many times that the relationship between the two was very unique in that they were each other’s biggest supporters. We had conversations with a number of teams with White Rock just getting into the discussions a few days ago. I brought Chris into the conversation and we gave White Rock coach Jason Rogers permission to speak with him in terms of what his role would be. This looks like a really good fit for everyone. We thank Chris for everything he has contributed to the Panthers and wish him all the best.