Jaelyn Davis, first female player ever to see action with Panthers Friday night against the Westshore Wolves

September 1, 2022
North Saanich, British Columbia

The VIJHL Champion Peninsula Panthers like to promote local players from the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association as much as possible.  Two 16-year-old youngsters out of PMHA will see action with the Panthers Friday night in the Cats last Exhibition tilt as the Westshore Wolves are in for the evening.  Cam Sneek has been in the Panthers Camp for a Month and is looking better every time out and he will once again be in the lineup for his 5th time this Exhibition season.  And female goaltender Jaelyn Davis will initially be in the backup role for the game, but she will see time in the 3rd period or earlier.

Sneek has got better and better as the weeks have rolled on.  "He is a big kid who does not yet realize he has grown into a body and if he used he size he could be a tremendous physical force," said GM Pete Zubersky.  "I am thinking that there are no mirrors in his home and he just doesn't know how big he is.  The kid is 6'4" and 195 pounds and is solid as a brick. When he hits people, they bounce off him like rubber balls.  I want him to be more physical, that's a piece he can add immediately.  That is just a mindset."

Zubersky then took a bit of time to chat about his goaltending situation.  "We have the Kelly twins, Mason and Brady who will be our goaltenders this season but we are still taking a close look at Dane Jensen, an 18-year-old from Kelowna who is here to go to the University of Victoria.  We will see where that goes.  Mason has been in camp and looks great and like Brady, is an awesome young man.  His back is barking just a bit and so a couple days rest is what he needs and he will not be in the lineup Friday.  Brady was in another Junior A Camp and is driving back right now.  He just texted me and said he is in Clearwater for the night and will be heading out early in the morning to be on an early afternoon boat.  Brady will be starting between the pipes and will then have time to catch up with Mason.  Of course Brady was on the Club last season. I would imagine both will have a lot of stories to pass along to each other.

Zubersky was out watching a group of PMHA goaltenders from PMHA early this afternoon and Davis caught his eye.  "We had five of our guys shooting pucks for the evaluation session and she was not afraid of the shots and that is the most important thing.  She battled.  I asked her out to practice this evening and she is kicking out pucks right now with the Panthers.  When I told her I would like her to be in the lineup she lit up.  I think she was shocked, nervous and excited all at the same time.  I am looking forward to seeing her compete!"

The puck will drop at 7:30 pm on Friday in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre.  And the Panthers will open up for real next Friday night in their home opener when they host the same Wolves Club.