Panthers hold Awards Banquet Saturday at the Mary Winspear Centre

Saturday, February 17, 2024
Mary Winspear Centre
North Saanich, B.C.

It has been a busy week for the Peninsula Panthers Junior 'A' Hockey Club and nobody would dispute that fact.  Last Tuesday evening, the Team dispatched the Kerry Park Islanders on the road up in Mill Bay by a 4-3 count to finally punch their sought-after ticket to the post-season.  And then on Friday for good measure they bested the visiting Lake Cowichan Kraken 3-2 in front of a home crowd in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre.  

On Saturday night, the Panthers hosted their Annual Awards Banquet at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney to the delight of the 120 in attendance.  The buffet supplied by Island Culinary Service was simply outstanding as was most of the three-hour evening.  And of course, awards were scooped up by a number of players on the squad.

Volunteer of the Year - Hans Kossman
Community Leadership - Malcolm Fletcher and Ethan Lingard
Scholastic Achievement - Robson Scott (University) and Cameron Sneek (High School)
Steve Simpson Memorial (Character, Courage & Heart) - Ethan Lingard
Grant Gilbertson Memorial Friendship - Reid Fryer
Fan Favourite - Carson Harris
Most Improved - Jason Sekulich
Most Sportsmanlike - Colton Trotter
Top Scorer - Gaetz Barrie
Rookie of the Year - Risto Ringma and Ty Barrie
Unsung Hero - Tanner Ferrill
Best Defenceman - Tanner Truswell and Risto Ringma
Most Valuable Player - Silas Currie
Top Playoff Performer - To be Determined

As the Banquet ended and people began to filter into the parking lot and into the night, the Organization immediately changed focus to their Annual PMHA and Fan Appreciation Game which will take place on Family Day Monday at 2:00 pm. The Club will break out a 3rd Jersey for this game and after the contest with the visiting Campbell River Storm is in the books, 25 jerseys will be gifted to PMHA players and 5 jerseys will be gifted to fans in an on-ice presentation.  Players and Fans MUST be in attendance when the draw is made to be a winner.  A large crowd is expected for the matinee contest and fans are asked to arrive just a bit early. In the 1st intermission, a video will be played looking back at the year that was.



The Club will then play their final Regular Season game next Friday night when they welcome in the Nanaimo Buccaneers, a final tune-up for the Best-of-7 Round 1 of the Playoffs.  At this point, their opponent is yet to be determined however it will be either the Victoria Cougars or the Saanich Predators.