Panthers start home cookin' with a Fryer

September 22, 2020
North Saanich, British Columbia

Reid Fryer came into the the Panthers camp in July as a relatively unknow commodity.  But it was hard to miss him as he sauntered into the Panorama Recreation Centre for the first day of camp.

"I spoke to him as he walked in one of the days during the camp and I loved how the kid looked me in the eye and was happy to be involved in a conversation," said Panthers GM Pete Zubersky.  "

"That first impression told me a lot about him.  He seemed confident and respectful and he got off on the right foot out here, no doubt about that," added Zubesky

Fryer toiled last season with the Juan de Fuca top Midget team and although he looked like he was on the outside looking in, he just got better each time out.

"Reid came into the summer ice and we saw this gangly kid who was growing into his body," explained Head Coach Brad Tippett.

"I spoke with the scout who had referred him to us and told him we thought he was a year away. We had about 12 defencemen we thought could play and we had Reid outside the top eight. We held our sessions on the weekdays and another team had their's on the weekend. He chose to take advantage of the schedule break attending another team’s camp. The next week he was back and as the days progressed, Reid just got better, smoother and more confident. I said to Pete, 'Is it just me or is Fryer moving up the chart?' Pete replied, 'Funny you should say that – I thought the same thing.'  As camp wound down, he saved his best sessions for the last two. Reid simply worked his way onto this team. He is very coachable but you can’t teach being 6’3”." 

For Fryer, the real work will start now.  He was inked by the squad, but their young defensive corps seems to be quite solid and all of them have a sizeable upside.  The young defenceman will have to bring his workboots to the rink every single day and battle for playing time but if the last two months are any indication, work ethic will not be a stumbling block.  And for the Panthers, they are banking on Fryer bringing a bit of sizzle every time out.