Panthers sign yet another Gilbertson

September 28th, 2020
North Saanich, British Columbia

Several years ago a relatively unknown from Sooke showed up at the Identification Camp of the Peninsula Panthers and very quickly endeared himself to the Management of the Club.  He was as respectful an individual as one could hope to meet and he made everyone around him just a little bit better.  Garett Gilbertson worked hard that weekend playing on a line with Nolan Lee and together the two looked magic.  At the end of the Camp, Gilbertson was signed and had a solid rookie campaign.  The following season it looked as though the Panthers might not be able to find as much ice for Garett as he had earned the previous year and after some discussions with the Oceanside Generals and Garett, he was traded to the Generals for cash.

"I was really surprised when Garett's brother's (Grant) application arrived in the mail for our Identification Camp," quipped Pete Zubersky.  "I absolutely thought the world of Garett but in this sport, folks take everything too personal and that happens more than one would think.  I called Grant's mom Darcie that night and we had a good chat.  She told me that Garett loved it out on the Peninsula and Grant had no qualms coming out here to play.  The Gilbertson's are quality people."

Grant showed up at Camp and was jumping from the time the first puck hit the ice.  And off the ice he was respectful like his brother and fit in like it was meant to be.  And at the end of the Camp, Head Coach Brad Tippett was thrilled with his effort and kept talking to Zubersky about his game sense.  It took a couple more weeks for the Panthers to pull the trigger and pull out a contract for Gilbertson to sign, but they finally did.

Gilbertson on Gilbertson:
“I’m really looking forward to getting the season going.  We have a talented group of guys, as well as great coaching, and ownership. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Panthers organization.  I’m confident we will have a very successful season. Looking forward to getting to know the boys, and will try doing my part to bring home the win on game days."

Tippett on Gilbertson:
"From the first day of the summer camp, Grant staked his claim that he wanted to be a Junior player. He dominated the summer camp and kept leading the way at the Prospects camp. After the last session of the second week, I had a chat with him and his mom in the parking lot. I knew he was invited and planning to attend the Campbell River Storm camp on the weekend. I didn’t sleep that night. In the morning I called Pete and told him we are offering Grant a spot. I had this terrible gut feeling he would go up there and they would keep him. I called him in the morning and offered him a spot. He accepted but said that he was half way to Campbell River. We agreed he would just keep going, go through the camp and we would just keep quiet until Monday. Sunday night Lee Stone texted me asking why we didn’t offer 'Gibby' a spot. He added that they had offered a spot but Grant had declined. I told Lee the whole story and we had a chuckle. It was gratifying to know one of the leagues perennial powerhouse teams thought the same as we did. He is strong two-way player who can play in all situations."