Trotter looks to be in full gallop Friday night

Thursday, August 24, 2023
North Saanich, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers believe that 18-year-old Colton Trotter had quite a bit of giddy-up in his game during the August Development Camp and they wasted no time in signing the 18-year-old to a Standard Players Agreement.  Head Coach & General Manager Tyler Stanton knew the youngster well, having coached him at the U-18 level last season at Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association.  The team earned a berth in the Provincial Playoffs and a Club that eventually lost in heart-breaking fashion in the finals.  

Trotter skated with the Panthers in July and then in the Development Camp in early August and impressed once again.  It was midway through the camp that the General Manager pulled Trotter into his office and let him know that he had cracked the squad for this upcoming 2023/24 season.

Stanton passed along some of his thoughts on the Cat's addition to the roster:

"Colton provides tremendous depth and stability to our back end. While a rookie to the Panthers, Colton will bring a very steady, simplistic game to our defensive core. Colton was a member of the U18 T1 JDF silver medalist at BC Provincials last year and played a big role in our journey to it. Colton is a strong 2-way defenceman, who year after year only gets better. We look forward to welcoming #3 into the fold."

Trotter was clearly excited to know where his path in hockey has taken him and offered up a few words when asked to describe what he will bring to the table.

“I’m a dedicated and enthusiastic player, always striving to improve my skills and contribute my best to the team. Whether it’s being solid on defense, or motivating my teammates, I’m committed to giving my all for the Panthers every time I step onto the ice.”

Trotter went on to describe what it means to him to be a Panthers player now that the ink has dried.

"Being a part of the Panthers hockey team means joining a community of passionate individuals who share a love for the sport, a commitment to teamwork, and a drive to excel both on and off the ice."

Owner Pete Zubersky had a few thoughts of his own:

"Tyler brought out Colton to the July skates and I liked him right away.  He can skate and move the puck and he continued doing that throughout the Development Camp.  The players are bigger and faster at this level and he will learn fast that the puck has to move quickly off his stick or it will be in the back of the net.  But he seems like a smart kid and he will figure that out.  I love his character and just a couple short chats show what a great young man he is.  Trotter is the kind of person we want playing on our Club and the rest will take care of itself."

Trotter will be in the lineup Friday night at 7:30 pm in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre when the Westshore Wolves come in for some exhibition action.  A few hopefuls, most of the signed rookies and a number of returning veterans will be in the Panthers lineup for the game.

Panthers tracks....sniper Ryan Grambart will arrive back in Victoria on Sunday after a week-long cup of coffee in Switzerland playing with a professional team...Grambart is hoping to parlay last season into another great season with the Panthers and then has set his sights on playing in Switzerland next season...H-Bomb Carson Harris has been impressive in camp thus far...the youngster was playing on a line with veteran Evan Mayer and rookie Ben Swan on Wednesday night...Harris and Mayer were still on the ice working late when most had left the arena...hulking defenceman Seth Fryer was at practice Wednesday night tuning up for a try-out with the Victoria Royals...Fryer played nine (9) games with the Royals last season and is hoping to crack their lineup this time around...Stanton and his staff are close to naming a Captain and Alternate Captains for the upcoming season...HockeyTV has been sold and is now named FloHockey...Panthers video guru Jason King has been working on game-night and FloHockey presentation and fans will notice a few changes...Goaltender Silas Currie from Medicine Hat and Defenceman Jason Sekulich from Campbell River have both cracked the squad and both will be living with their respective Grandparents who reside in the Greater Victoria Area.