Mark Donnelly steals the show

It was hard to tell whether Mark Donnelly, the voice of the Vancouver Canucks, or Peninsula Minor Hockey "Player of the Week" Ethan Lingard, was having more fun in the pre-game warmup, but it was easily suffice to say that both were having a ball.

Lingard led the Panthers out for the 15-minute warmup followed closely by Mark Donnelly and by the time the fifteen minutes had expired, both had a small amount of perspiration on their brows.  Donnelly arrived in Victoria from Vancouver earlier in the day and brought his goalie gear as well as his tuxedo for this time around at the Peninsula with the Panthers.  Panthers Hockey Operations boss, Pete Zubersky had been discussing the evening with Donnelly for several weeks as Donnelly was coming to Victoria to sing at the Victoria Royals season opener on Saturday.  The two have been friends for quite a number of years having met when Zubersky was with the Victoria Salsa as the Head Coach and General Manager and they had stayed in contact throughout the years.  Donnelly had ballooned to an unhealthy weight nearing 400 pounds, and in the past couple of years decided that enough was enough and that something needed to be done for the sake of his health.  He has lost over 185 lbs. to date (basically half his pevious mass) and weighing in at just under 190 lbs. he still feels as though he has a couple pounds to go.  It was Donnelly who floated the idea of going in for the warmup with the Panthers and Zubersky did not hesitate. 

"I lost the weight for a lot of reasons," explained the big-voiced singer from Vancouver.  "I had always played goal in hockey and I was so big that I just could not do it anymore.  I just wanted to play one more time and now I am able to do it.  I was sweating after I came off the ice after the warmup," explained Donnelly.  "I am just feeling so blessed to be able to do this again."

For the youngster out of the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association the night was just a bit more special with Donnelly doing his thing.  Lingard was a bit tentative prior to the game but after a bit of a ribbing in the lobby at the Panorama, he headed down to the Panthers Dressing Room to get geared up.  "I love the PMHA player of the week program that we run," said Zubersky.  "It is funny to look back at all the kids that have been the player of the week, there are a couple of them playing in the NHL right now - the Benn boys (Jamie and Jordie) and Greg Scott is playing in the AHL for the Marlies and is kicking down the door to take the next step.  I spoke recently to the parents of the Benns and Scott, and all three still have their plaques hanging in their bedroom at their parents' homes in Central Saanich.  It would be cool if something special happened to Ethan after what took place on the ice tonight."

After Lingard was presented with his award and took the customary spin around the ice to the applause of a large gathering at the Panorama Recreation Centre, Donnelly was presented with a game-worn Panthers goalie jersey by Equipment Manager and longtime volunteer, Larry Orr.  Orr was nervous during the presentation but as usual, it was from the heart.  Donnelly took off his Tuxedo Jersey that he had worn during the warmup and put on the Panthers Jersey for the National Anthem.  He then sang and skated around the sheet and at points during the National Anthem and, in his trademark style, stopped at both the visiting Kerry Park Islanders bench and the Panthers bench where the players joined in singing before departing to a huge ovation.

The Peninsula Panthers won the game 6-5 but it took a shoot-out to get it done.  But for Donnelly and Lingard, the score might have not mattered.  Both had huge smiles the entire night.