Panthers and Predators partner in 8-player Blockbuster

January 4, 2024
Panorama Recreation Centre
North Saanich, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers and Saanich Predators may have let off a few fireworks right around midnight on New Year's Eve, but they waited until Thursday for the biggest fireworks display of all.  The Divisional rivals hooked up for an 8-player trade, seven players moving addresses right now.  The Cats will also receive a "Player to be named later" on June 1, 2024.

Coming to the Peninsula are a hard-working foursome who should bring energy and effort to the lineup each and every night in the form of 20-year-old's Gaetz Barrie and Kyle Erickson, Ty Barrie the 18-year-old brother of Gaetz, and 17-year-old Cole Sather.  The Barrie brothers and Sather have all played Minor Hockey in the past under the watchful eye of Panthers Head Coach/GM Tyler Stanton.  All four additions play the forward position.

But the additions did not come without a large measure of pain.  Going the other way and joining a talented Predators squad are 20-year-old's defenceman Evan Crawford and forward Ryan Grambart as well as 19-year-old forward Tristan Rosenblood.  Crawford was the Panthers Captain.  Crawford and Grambart have been on the Panthers for four seasons while Rosenblood has been with the Club for three.  All three were part of the Championship run two years ago when they won in overtime in dramatic fashion in Game 6 at home against a powerful Oceanside Generals group.  It was Logan Speirs who scored the winner but was set up on the play by Grambart.

"Tyler knows these kids well and he could not say enough about how hard they work," quipped Panthers Owner Pete Zubersky.  "It's no secret that we have had a rough couple months and we knew as an Organization that we had to make a big move.  This is the move we envisioned and Tyler worked hard over the past couple of weeks and certainly today to bring the deal to fruition.  It was amazing when I contacted all seven players once Tyler had completed the deal.  All three of our guys were excited but all said it was bitter-sweet.  I'm pulling for all three of them and there is comfort in the fact that they are going together.  I'm sure it's the same for the guys coming this way.  All four were really excited and I think the deal was a win/win.  Both Teams got what they wanted."

Stanton was clearly excited about the noise that was generated and had a few thoughts of his own on the Blockbuster transaction as he welcomed in the group of four. 

"Cole Sather and Ty Barrie were part of my program last year at JDF and the pair provided big offensive numbers for our Club.  I fully expect that they will do the same for the Panthers starting this Friday when the Cougars come in.  I have incredible respect and confidence in both of them. Gaetz, the older brother of Ty, also had played for the U18 JDF program a few years prior to Ty before moving up to Junior Hockey in the VIJHL. Gaetz brings a wealth of knowledge of the game and plays a strong 200' game. He has smarts and that will be a huge asset as he assists on both sides of the puck.  Kyle brings 108 VIJHL games to the table and has averaged a point per game this year. He too will bolster our offence. The strong righty has a knack for putting up points but also will bring a tremendous hard-nosed defensive game as well. I could not be more excited to welcome these 4 men to our team as we barrel down the stretch and make a push for the playoffs."

Barrie, Barrie and Sather will adorn the Panthers lineup Friday night at 7:30 pm when the Club welcomes in the visiting Victoria Cougars. Erickson is away from Greater Victoria until Saturday morning but he is expected to also be in the lineup Sunday afternoon when the Panthers head to Archie Browning Arena for the back half of the Home and Home weekend series.  It's safe to say, there will be some added energy Friday night.

The Peninsula Panthers Organization would like to take the opportunity to thank Evan Crawford, Ryan Grambart and Tristan Rosenblood for their years in the Peninsula Panthers Organization and for helping to make the Peninsula a better place to play during their time with the Club. We wish them the very best of luck moving forward, both on and off the ice.