Peninsula McDonald's locations partner with Panthers

Tracy Zeisberger joined the Peninsula Panthers to take over the Promotions/Marketing for the Club and she has brought along a fresh approach and some creative ideas in her tool box.  Zeisberger and Grant Reid, who is the Owner/Operator of three Saanich Peninsula McDonald's restaurants, together have implemented several new ideas which will undoubtedly make the vastly popular Peninsula Panthers "Player of the Week" program several notches better. 

"We are very excited about what Tracy and Grant have brought to the table," explained Panthers' Owner Coreen Zubersky.  "The Player of the Week program has always been a staple for us - one which allowed for a Peninsula Minor Hockey player to join our team on the ice on Friday nights during the warmups and then remain with the team on the bench for part of the game.  I know they have all loved it in the past, however with the new changes the program will be even better this time around."

In years past the "Player of the Week" would wear his team jersey in the warmup however, with the financial commitment from Reid, these young PMHA players will now be wearing a jersey that is very similar to the Peninsula Panthers.  They will boast the Panthers' logo on the front but will also have the McDonald's logo prominently displayed.  "Grant Reid really stepped up and provided us an opportunity to improve this aspect of our Friday game night and we cannot thank him enough," said Zubersky.  "We are very grateful for his commitment, we could not possibly operate our hockey club without the support in the community, from both the business sector and the fans."

Reid will also supply the "Player of the Week" a grab bag from McDonald's which will contain a T-shirt that will closely resemble the new Jersey as well as coupons, water bottles and various other gifts.  The Panthers will encourage all of the teammates of the "Player of the Week" to attend the Friday game together and Zeisberger has already been working at having businesses around the Peninsula sponsor the tickets.  Zeisberger and Reid have discussed having the "Player of the Week" and his teammates for dinner at the Mt. Newton McDonald's prior to the game with Panthers players who are not in the lineup for that particular game.

Reid was clearly excited about the new partnership.  "As a local business, I feel it is important to support a healthy community with great organizations like the Peninsula Panthers," he said.  "The Panthers exemplify the work ethic that we instil in our McDonald's employees: personal achievement, goal-setting and teamwork.  The Panthers are role models for not only the younger hockey players in our community but also for the businesses as they promote teamwork and personal accountability.  As the owner of the three McDonald's restaurants on the Peninsula, I am very excited to partner with the Peninsula Panthers to recognize a Peninsula Minor hockey Player of the Week.  Together we are promoting fair play and team work."

The Panthers kick off the 2013/14 season on Friday, September 6th with the puck set to drop at 7:30 pm.  This will be the first time the new and updated "Player of the Week" program will be in effect.  Reid is expected to be on hand for the game and will likely hand out the "Player of the Week" award.