PANTHER PRIDE
Panthers to celebrate program history at tonight’s season opener
UPEI men’s hockey team to celebrate program history at tonight’s season opener
The history of the University of Prince Edward Island and its men’s hockey team will be celebrated here tonight.
A number of events are scheduled to coincide with the Panthers’ Atlantic University Sport season and home opener against the Dalhousie Tigers at MacLauchlan Arena in Charlottetown. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
“The home opener is always a big night, but certainly with it being UPEI’s 50th anniversary celebration there is a lot going on on campus this weekend, which is always exciting,” said UPEI varsity co-ordinator Ron Annear.
This is also the 50th year UPEI has iced a men’s hockey team. Members of the inaugural 1969-70 Panthers have been invited to take part in the anniversary festivities.
“It should be a pretty special moment for them,” said Annear. “For our own team being the 50th team and being able to meet them, it will be special.”
It’s an opportunity current Panthers head coach Forbie MacPherson is looking forward to.
“We have had significant feedback (from the inaugural team) and we think we will have 75, 80 per cent of them coming,” said MacPherson, who is excited to getting back to playing games that count.
“It’s the excitement that a new season brings, the anticipation of a new team and a new group,” continued MacPherson. “It’s the time of the year where everybody has a clean slate and you press the refresh button for the standings.”
YOUNG TEAM
The 2019-20 edition of the Panthers will feature a young team. The 25-man roster is comprised of eight rookies, six sophomores, six third-year players, four players in their fourth year and one fifth-year senior.
“We have had a lot of changeover,” said MacPherson. “We had a large number of players, either through graduation or moving onto pro hockey, exit the program. With that we had a very significant recruiting class, both in quantity and quality.
“There is kind of mixed thoughts there. There are guys who were impact players in our lineup, whether it being leaders or offensively (who have moved on), but then you have the excitement of the fresh faces coming in with a lot of renewed energy and excitement.
“We are excited to get going, but also cautiously aware that
there’s going to be a period of transition.”
MacPherson said fans can expect the Panthers to play an entertaining style, adding they will “play with sandpaper” and speed.
“We feel this team will be hard to play against and consider
our group to be in the middle of the pack,” said MacPherson.
“Our goal is to get into the playoffs and then do as much damage as we can.”
The Tigers are coming off a 7-6 loss in a shootout at home to the St. Francis Xavier X-Men on Wednesday night.
“They are very well coached and Chris Donnelly does a great job of coaching there,” said MacPherson. “His style of recruiting is he typically has a big team.”
EXCITING TIMES
With excitement building as the Panthers work towards hosting the 2021 U Sports men’s hockey championship at Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown, Annear said a lot of work is going into improving fan experience.
“Everything around the team we want to take to the next level, whether it’s fans attending games, season-ticket holders and corporate partners,” said Annear.
For example, Annear noted fans can expect entertainment in the lobby, more vending options and in-game promotions this year.
“When they come Friday night it should be a different experience,” added Annear. “It’s a new game day experience for the fans.”