McMillan on the move - trade sends him home for final season of Junior Hockey

A young but confident 17-year-old Jack McMillan waltzed into the Peninsula Panthers dressing room on a Friday evening in the early April a little over three years ago looking to make an impression at the Club's Spring Camp.  The Delta, BC native had played the previous season away from home at the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy in Langford at the tender age of 16 and was prepared to make an impression on the management of the Panthers.

"We were at a point in our program where a rebuild was needed and we were looking to add some young kids who really wanted to be here," said GM Pete Zubersky.  "I didn't know Jack.  His father indicated that Jack was not there to make the squad but wanted to get some experience at the camp with an eye on perhaps being affiliated the following season.  He made it clear that Jack was heading back to PCHA for his final year of Midget."

McMillan had an impactful camp and in his player interview on the Sunday, Zubersky let the youngster know exactly how he felt. 

"I was really happy with the way Jack handled himself throughout the weekend and let him know that we wanted to affiliate him and that we would keep in close touch with him and his family," quipped Zubersky.  "I expected that he would be excited to hear that news but instead showed disappointment.  I asked him what the problem was and he said that he wanted to make the team, that he wanted to play on the Panthers.  I told him that he should talk to his Dad and that pretty much ended our interview.  Within a couple of hours the family called and advised that they wanted Jack to play on the Peninsula and that he loved the situation.  We signed him."

Later that summer, Zubersky had some protracted discussions with Brad Tippett who had coached Major Junior in Saskatchewan with Prince Albert and Regina and in August Tippett was named as the Head Coach of the Peninsula Panthers.  It would be both McMillan and Tippett's inaugural season with the Club.  In an interview with Tippett on a variety of subjects, he discussed McMillan and his time with the Club. 

"Jack spent three seasons with the Panthers and was one of the original rookies when I came on board. A shoulder injury midway through his first season held his development back a bit. He still chipped in timely goals and formed part of our penalty-killing units. He is a 'team first' kind of player. We worked out a deal with Richmond where Jack could be closer to his home and family for his last season in Junior Hockey. I want to thank Jack for efforts over the past 3 seasons and wish him and his family all the best in the future."

The 20-year-old gritty right winger indicated to Zubersky at the end of the season that he wished to move back home for his last spin in Junior Hockey and his preferred landing spot was in Richmond with the Sockeyes.

"I wanted to make it work for Jack," explained Zubersky.  "He had given us three years and had been an important part of the building process.  We think we have a pretty good squad coming into this season and Jack McMillan went through a couple tough building years helping us to get to this point.  I called Richmond and told them that we wanted to make a deal for cash and I made it clear in the first minute of the discussion that we would not hold up the player in any way.  I think the deal was done in the next minute."

Zubersky had some comments of his own.  "Jack came in and was the ultimate team player throughout his time with the Panthers.  He was a kid that I trusted as much as anyone in his three years with the Club.  He was also young and learning about life.  I still remember when the boys went golfing for a team builder prior to his 18-year-old season.  I asked Jack to pay for it and to get me the bill.  He gave the delivery guy a tip that was big enough to buy the pizza shop!  He was learning on the fly.  I could ask Jack for anything and he always responded and had an awesome and somewhat dry sense of humor when doing so.  Jack played hard in his time here with the Panthers.  I believe he will have a great season with the Sockeyes and I am really hopeful that he does just that.  This coming season the PJHL and VIJHL will play a challenge series and it will be exciting.  The Nanaimo Buccaneers will host the Prospects game between the two leagues on January 12th, 2020 while Delta will be the host of the All-Star game on January 26th, 2020.  I told Jack just in the last couple of days that I would absolutely love to see him playing in that game.  I think this trade is a great move for Jack.  He will get a fresh start and that is always exciting for any player, especially one in the final season of Junior.  He will be going to college over in Vancouver, will be living back in Delta and I am sure he will get right back in the saddle with his old friends.  He has been away from home for the past four years.  This transaction will turn out to have great results for the young fellow and I will be watching him closely from here.  Jack wants to be a fireman in the years to come and I hope he reaches that goal.  I wish Jack and his family all the very best."

The veteran right-winger had a message before leaving:

"I'd like to thank the Panthers Organization for the past three years.  My time in Victoria will always be cherished and I am thankful for the lifelong friends and memories that I have created.  My billets for the last two years were awesome.  Adam and Corrine deserve a world of credit for how seamlessly they brought me into their family and I am thankful that we remain close to this day.  I'm excited about the future with a world class organization like the Richmond Sockeyes for my final season.  The Head Coach Brett Reusch has brought me in and made me feel right at home ever since the deal was made.  I wish the best of luck to the Panthers in the future, you will always hold a special place for me.  I would love if we can meet in the Cyclone Taylor Cup to close out this upcoming year."
#26   Jack McMillan