Panthers add some offensive punch inking local boy Rowan Cairns Tuesday

Tuesday, September 26, 2023
North Saanich, British Columbia

The road was filled with potholes and unexpected turns, especially when the end was near but everyone involved with the Peninsula Panthers were all smiles when 19-year-old impactful forward Rowan Cairns signed on the dotted line Tuesday afternoon.

The road started more than a year ago when Panthers Owner Pete Zubersky had several conversations with Cairns during the summer about signing with the Cats.  He was coming out of the Victoria Royals U-18 program where he had been the Captain and his final season there was marred with some significant health issues.  But Cairns ultimately signed with the Westshore Wolves which was somewhat disappointing considering he resides close to the Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich.

Cairns collected 6 goals and15 assists for a total of 21 points over 46 regular season games however the Wolves did not make the playoffs and his season came to an abrupt and early end.  But the youngster continued to hone his skills in hopes of making the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and he eventually wound up there in late August of this year at their Main Camp.  It was not to be and his playing rights reverted back to the Westshore Wolves for this 2023/24 season.  Cairns did not feel comfortable about returning to the Wolves and the Panthers let the Wolves know that they were interested in acquiring his rights which would allow him to play back on the Peninsula.  And on Tuesday night it was mission accomplished when the skilled forward signed the Standard Players Agreements just an hour before he went out on the ice with his new mates.

"I watched Rowan last season and made a couple attempts to start conversation with the Wolves about Rowan coming out here," explained Zubersky.  "But there seemed like there was no interest and so we moved on. In the past ten days since Rowan arrived back home, the Panthers General Manager Tyler Stanton engaged in more conversation with the Wolves and although the process was not an easy one, his rights were finally moved to the Panthers in a cash only transaction.

"I liked the player last year but he really turned my head in August in the Grant Gilbertson Memorial Tournament," quipped Zubersky.  "He turned my head a few times.  He was playing with good players and he was making them better.  I was pleasantly surprised and thought that he would fit nicely with the group we have here.  I'm really happy for the Cairns family.  I know this situation was stressful on all of them and I hate to see that.  But all of that is in the rear view mirror now and after a couple practices I am sure Rowan will be excited Friday night when he will play his 1st game with the Club."

The Panthers host the Nanaimo Buccaneers this Friday in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre with the puck set to drop at 7:30 pm.  There is no doubt that the Cairns family will be in the stands wearing some big smiles.  This is the way it was supposed to be.