Panthers gearing up for 2014/15 Season

Last night was a warm summer evening out on the Peninsula but as new Bench Boss Grant Sjerven put 30 hopeful Peninsula Panthers prospects through their paces, it was clear to see that the 2014/15 season was close at hand.  In fact the Panthers will open at home on Friday, September 5th against the visiting Westshore Wolves, the same Wolves squad that they dispatched in the 1st round of the VIJHL playoffs last season.

"The team has changed a lot from the conclusion of last year's playoffs," explained the man in charge of the Hockey Operations Pete Zubersky.  "I'm really happy having Grant behind the bench as he brings a lot of experience from being a player in the game.  We have made a lot of changes and he will have a very young squad to work with, but I know he is excited about the challenge at this level."

As Sjerven sat in the Coaches' office last night before practice, he seemed quite at ease and happy to be on the hot seat."  I have my seat belt fastened as I expect it to be a wild ride.  With the Westshore Wolves getting bounced in five games in the playoffs last season, I'm sure they are coming in here to get the win.  We will have a really young squad, Pete likes to go young.  We will have some early growing pains but I believe we will be a hard-working group and one that will entertain."

The Panthers open their Main Camp on Friday, August 29th in the early evening and will be going at it over the long weekend heading into the season opener.  The puck will drop at the usual 7:30 pm on September 5th at the Panorama Recreation Centre.