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Busy weekend off ice for Peninsula Panthers

The Panthers host the Nanaimo Buccaneers tonight, the first of two Bucs visits to Panorama.
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Trade winds blow on the Saanich Peninsula as 19-year-old Mitch Moloney moved from the Peninsula Panthers to the Saanich Braves last Friday afternoon.

Typhoon winds and trade winds were in play last Friday and both had packed a significant punch in terms of the Peninsula Panthers.  The club was slated to face off against the Westshore Wolves on Friday, however the remnants of Typhoon Songda breezed through the South Vancouver Island, knocking out power all over the Saanich Peninsula and all around the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre. With safety of players and fans in mind and in concert with the VIJHL brass, Head Official and the Panorama Management, the Peninsula Panthers decided it was best to postpone the game for a later date.

“Safety was our main concern,” said Panthers Governor Pete Zubersky. “We did not want to see anyone hurt trying to get out to the Peninsula.  The power was also clearly an issue.  I know it was out all around Panorama and in Brentwood Bay and it just seemed prudent to put the game off for another night.”

Trade winds also came into play on Friday when the Panthers moved 19-year-old veteran defenceman Mitch Moloney to the Saanich Braves for 17-year-old left winger Drew Coughlin.  Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Tippett had been in conversation with the Braves over several days and managed to complete the transaction Friday around noon.  Coughlin was slated to be in the lineup that evening.

“Drew is a special player in that he is only 17 years old but is a veteran in the VIJHL, having played for the Braves last season.  He was right at the top of our wish list.  We needed a left winger and he can flat out fly.  For us to trade a veteran defenceman, we needed a very valuable player in return and I believe it was a win/win for everyone involved.  We added a highly skilled and respected player to our group and we could not be any happier.  Drew has dynamic speed, is an exciting player to watch and fans will love him.”

The trade of Moloney will open up opportunity for the other defencemen on the Club and has an especially large impact for 18-year-old Peninsula Minor Hockey product Bailey Ross.  Ross was forced to play out of position on left wing over the past several weeks but will now be returned to the back end where he can continue to develop.

Peninsula hosts the Nanaimo Buccaneers tonight, the first of two visits to the Panorama Recreation Centre by the Bucs. Game time is 7:30 pm.

— Peninsula Panthers