Hockey Panthers to play in Montague for wellness centre fundraiser
The UPEI men's hockey team will take on StFX at the Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre in exhibition play, Saturday, October 8, at 3:00 pm. The pre-season game represents one of the few times the Panthers have played a home game off-campus and the first time playing in the new Montague facility.
Proceeds from the game will support the Montague Volunteer Fire Brigade (MVFB)'s multiyear commitment of raising a total of $30,000 towards the wellness centre's capital campaign. In addition to firefighters and local businesses selling tickets, MFVB approached the Montague Minor Hockey Association to help with the sales effort. A third of the value of tickets-either purchased by players at registration or resold-will be contributed back to the association.
'We have used casino nights and a firefighters' ball in the past to raise funds,' said Jeff Nelson, member of the fire department's fundraising committee. 'Partnering with UPEI to bring their 'show' to eastern PEI as well as Montague Minor Hockey, while raising some dollars towards our pledge, was a great opportunity that we couldn't pass up on. We are depending on the community to support our cause and invite them to come out and enjoy some of PEI's best hockey.'
"The opportunity for UPEI men's hockey to play an AUS men's hockey exhibition game in Montague is very exciting,' added Ron Annear, director of UPEI Athletics and Recreation. 'We've always had wonderful support from the Kings County area and it's truly an honour for Panther Hockey to make its debut at the new wellness centre. Eastern PEI residents will see a very highly skilled and fast level of hockey with both team rosters comprised of CHL/MHL graduates along with many NHL draft picks."
After coming off a string of exhibition game wins against St. Thomas, Dalhousie, McGill, and Carleton, the Panthers hope to add another game to their pre-season ‘win' column against their Antigonish rivals. With their only loss coming from a Université de Moncton Blue Eagles match-up on October 2, UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson said, 'We have to bring our A-game early every night, and we're excited to get another opportunity to do so before the regular season starts. We've learned that we need to start putting pressure as soon as the puck drops-so Kings County fans will definitely be in for some fast-paced hockey when we take on the X-Men.'
There has been a groundswell of local corporate support for the Montague game, including that from presenting sponsor MRSB. MRSB partner, Everett Roche, a UPEI graduate who grew up in Cardigan and lives in the Montague area, will be dropping the ceremonial puck.
The Panthers' regular season begins with home games at MacLauchlan Arena, October 14 and 15, against the Saint Mary's Huskies and StFX X-Men, respectively.
