Sidney’s Peden RV and the Peninsula Panthers hope to attract new fans of local hockey out to Panorama Rec. Centre on Friday, Feb. 13 for the annual appreciation game.
It’s the Panthers’ final league game of the season and billed each year as the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association (PMHA) Appreciation Game. The Junior B club has special jerseys made up — this year in tribute to PMHA products and NHL players Jordie and Jamie Benn — worn by the players during the game. Those jerseys are then given to 23 PMHA players chosen that night.
In addition, ticket holders are automatically entered into a draw for the free use of a Peden RV trailer for a week.
Peden RV and the Panthers are giving out around 100 free tickets — available at Peden RV on Galaren Road. Don McBrien says there’s no catch to it, hockey fans and those who have not yet been to a Panthers’ game, just have to drop in and pick up a ticket — first come, first served. Peden RV has been doing this with the local hockey club for years, McBrien added, and the game itself has been running for around a decade.
Pete Zubersky of the Panthers’ organization said minor hockey kids get into the game free on appreciation night, as the Junior B club recognizes where much of their talent comes from.
Zubersky said it goes hand-in-hand with his philosophy of encouraging growth and development of local hockey.
To win the use of the trailer, McBrien said the holder of the winning ticket must be in the arena when the draw occurs.
The PMHA Appreciation Game is Friday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. and the Panthers will host the Kerry Park Islanders.