Maloney is the real deal - Let's get Rowdy!

September 12, 2020
North Saanich, B.C.

Denver Maloney knows the song that booms out in the friendly confines of the the Panorama Recreation Centre every time the Peninsula Panthers light the lamp.  The song is by Aaron Pritchett - Let's get Rowdy.  And Maloney and his mates are hoping that Pritchett's hit song is played over and over again.  

Maloney has the speed and skill to be considered one of the best forwards in the VIJHL.  And with a lot of the opposition focus sure to be aimed at the 8, 9, 10 line, his trio should get a lot of offensive looks this season. 

I consider Denver to be one of the real Sleepers on the Club," quipped GM Pete Zubersky.  I am amazed by his effortless speed and the way he can pass and shoot.  I thought at times last year he passed when he had an opportunity to bury the puck.  I think that was all part of fitting in as a rookie.  Now that he is comfortable with the League and with his importance to our success, I believe we are going to see the real Denver Maloney in the offensive end."

Maloney gave some awesome comments about this thoughts and feelings regarding the abrupt end to the season and the upcoming campaign: 

"Last year’s regular season result was no surprise to me.  I knew we had a special group that I felt could go all the way despite being down two games before the pandemic hit. With our 20-year-olds and other leaders of the team showing how much they cared about having a winning season, it was very easy for the new guys including myself to buy in to that winning mentality.  We felt like we had a true purpose and potential on the ice together and everyone in the room believed in it and entirely bought in.
 
Unfortunately our mission was cut short last year however this year we are more than lucky to still have the best line in the VIJHL, aka the 8, 9, 10 line is still intact and ready to dominate the league for a second year in a row.  Having the pleasure of playing with those three and watching them work together definitely made me a better player offensively and defensively because in practice we had to defend the three-headed monster.  And even on bad days they would go through everyone with ease. 
 
Josh’s (Lingard) speed and skill, Riley’s (Braun) workhorse mentality and playmaking along with Tanner’s (Wort) natural goal-scoring ability make their line unstoppable.  The hockey IQ they possess all together is remarkable and it will be a treat to see them together for yet another dominant year.
 
On the back end I would expect both 6 (Jensen) and 7 (Seale) to have career years. Seale in my opinion will be the best defenceman in the league this year and along with his partner Jensen who could easily be number two, they will more than help with running and leading our young defensive core to a successful season and help our new defensemen learn our playing style.
 
I would not be surprised at all if Seale finished 4th in points on our team. His work ethic has shown that his potential is limitless and he is willing to get faster and better with every ice session.
 
As for my last year I felt I had an alright campaign however I know I can do a lot better and with 21 (Speirs) back for another year I’m excited for both of us to show we can do even better than last year. 
 
My hope is for us to take the regular season league title and depending on how the season will be formatted due to COVID, hopefully take the playoff title too.
 
As for the new guys, I hope they’re ready to buy in to our mission and add all their different skill sets to this amazing organization. If our first couple practices are any indication of what the year might look like, it should be a very fun and successful year. The rookies that we’ve brought in this year seem to gel nicely into our group and it makes me once again very excited to be at the rink 4-5 days of the week. 
 
Let’s get rowdy......19"

Bench Boss Brad Tippett on 19:

"The 'first' Denver we first knew was a quieter guy – you could even say shy.  He was still reserved when last season started, but began to melt with each game.  We watched how talented Denver was in Midget and knew he would flourish in our league.  It was few games into the season – a game in Nanaimo – we were short-handed and he was soft on his man in the slot and we got scored on.  We didn’t need to say anything – you could just see the fire in his eyes.  From that point on, he opened up.  Their line got that goal back and then he set up Logan Speirs for the winning goal the first minute into overtime.  You couldn’t wipe that huge grin off his face. Denver’s commitment to the team is an aspect a lot of people don’t get to see. He has been a natural centreman his entire career. I sat down with him early last year and asked him about it –'Coach – put me where you think is best for the team'. Denver can play on my team any day he wants."

As Aaron Prichett and Denver Maloney both say.....Let's get Rowdy!"