Panthers' season comes to a close - thank you for your awesome support!
2014-03-29
A huge crowd showed up in support of the Panthers in Game 6 of the best-of-7 VIJHL Championship Series on Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre. (Photo by Gordon Lee Photography)
The Peninsula Panthers wish to extend a sincere thank you to every one of our loyal and dedicated sponsors and fans, many of whom were in attendance Friday night.
An open letter to Peninsula Panthers fans:
I want to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to our fans and sponsors, many of you who were in attendance last night at Game 6 of the VIJHL Championship Series at the Panorama Recreation Centre. You are the greatest fans in the world and I'm sure you shared a lot of the disappointment that our Organization felt when the final buzzer sounded. The dressing room was filled with tears and it truly showed me how much each and every one of the players and coaches so deeply cared about each other, the Organization, and the game of hockey that we hold so close to our hearts.
But the disappointment for me has already dissipated, and in its place I look fondly back at a great season that our entire Organization enjoyed. We finished tied for 2nd in the VIJHL and then made it to the Championship Series in the post-season, before eventually bowing out last night.
Two and a half years ago when we jumped back in the League to try and bring the Peninsula Panthers back from the brink of folding, we knew the task was going to be daunting - and daunting it was. But the sense of accomplishment in playing before a packed barn last night is something that everyone in our Organization is very proud of.
Rather than rehash the game last night, I thought it would be more important to talk about the game of hockey. I received a heart-warming email from Deborah Smith, mother of one of our departing 20-year-olds, Matthew Sheeran, earlier today. I will not share her personal thoughts that were part of the email, however I did want to pass along her thoughts of a "hockey Mom" that were 13 years in the making, from a Mother's perspective.
I’m a hockey mom. It’s a title I have worn proudly for the last 13 years or so. My duties have included chauffeur, cheerleader, ambulance driver, fundraiser, carpooler, but most importantly...#1 fan!
But an era of my hockey mom career came to an end last night as Matthew played his final junior hockey game. The season ended in a loss, and although in past years when the 'would have, could have, should have's' could be addressed in the NEXT season... a heaviness looms in the realization that there will be no next season. And although we all knew this day would come, it is surprisingly sadder than one might expect. A void hangs in the air over my morning coffee and although many will say 'it's just a game'... to that I say yes, BUT... it's a game that has enhanced, bonded and defined my son, our family and our lives for 13 years and it's presence in our daily lives will be sorely missed!!
I remember like yesterday that first hockey camp at Oak Bay, Matthew's first year of novice when half the kids could barely skate. We carried their bags, helped with their equipment and tied their laces! Then came bags on wheels and lace hooks and we parents were relegated to the stands to await their grand entrance on the ice! The basics of skating, stopping and stick handling progressed over the years, hockey camps, speed skating, early morning practices, games, road trips, and tournaments filled our winter months! It was a huge commitment for us parents, but I take my hat off to the siblings who dutifully and supportively took to the warm areas, stands & concession booths cheering on their brother's team and being reluctant but consummate fans of the game!!
The boys grew, as did the competition, intensity, and let's not forget the odour!!!!!! That's when we transitioned from an SUV with the hockey bag IN the car to a truck!! Life got more hectic as the girls got involved in their own activities, but so grew our emotional investment as tears, disappointment, joy & relief plagued every tryout - rep teams in bantam & midget, U16, major midget, Jr B, Jr A, and WHL teams! Thankfully Matthew was blessed with much good fortune, talent and above all a passion for the game that allowed him to graduate throughout the ranks enjoying a taste of his 'dream' at every level of play!!
And WHAT A RIDE it has been!!! Sure, we've seen our share of disappointments, bad coaching, bad refereeing, and let's not forget the injuries - stitches, slashes, xrays, strains, sprains and surgeries - 3 of them in fact!!! But it's all lead Matthew to where, and more importantly to WHO he is today!! Team sports have moulded Matthew's character and we could not be more proud of the way he has embraced the challenges, honored his commitment to his passion, and how he has held his head high in the face of adversity. These are the life lessons this game has taught him and will remain with him his whole life thru.
So thank you to the game, the volunteers, coaches, parents and team mates that have provided a lifetime of memories - GREAT memories!! Not sure what the next chapter holds for Matthew and in the coming weeks he will be faced with making some big life decisions for himself. I hope hockey continues to be a part of his life since without a doubt, it IS his passion. For me... for today.... I will feel the sadness of the moment and I might even shed a tear of two, but mostly, my heart is full of thanks for all the pleasure of the past 13 years, for the health and well being of all my children, for all the goodness my life holds and oh yes.... that Matthew emerged with ALL HIS TEETH!!! Deborah Smith.
I want to once again thank our loyal and dedicated fans, sponsors, volunteers and staff who worked so incredibly hard to make this season the great success it truly was. Finally, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Victoria Cougars on capturing the VIJHL Championship and the Peninsula Panthers Organization wish them good luck and good health in their next leg of the journey at the Cyclone Taylor Cup Provincial Championship in Nelson, B.C. in two weeks time.
Pete Zubersky, Governor
Peninsula Panthers Jr. Hockey Club
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