UPEI men’s hockey Panthers host rival UNB in Season Opener
The UPEI men's hockey Panthers will host archrival UNB Reds for their 2014-15 season home opener on Saturday, October 11, as released by the AUS earlier this week.
Head Coach Forbes MacPerson is excited about the season ahead. 'There's no better way to kickoff the season than to open against a perennial powerhouse, coached by fellow Islander Gardiner MacDougall. We have a strong nucleus, highlighted by returning all-stars, defencemen Reggie Traccitto and forward Chris Desousa,' said MacPherson. 'We have had a great recruiting season bolstered by two QMJHL stars and home grown talent in Darcy Ashley and Brent Andrews. We promise to have a fast aggressive ‘in your face' team who are determined to reach the CIS Championship.'
The Panthers schedule includes 14 regular season home games. New this season, the Panthers will host three PEI games away from the MacLauchlan Arena, starting with the October 11 home opener, which will be staged at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. The Panthers will also play one game in Kings and Prince counties, with those details announced at a later date.
'We are pleased with the cooperation of coach MacPherson, and the CARI Centre, to be sharing the Panthers across Prince Edward Island in regular season play,' said UPEI Athletic and Recreation Director Bill Schurman. 'With our home opener scheduled on the Thanksgiving weekend, it provides the opportunity to move to a larger venue like the Eastlink Centre. Our goal is to attract 3,000 fans to experience one of the best rivalries in AUS hockey. The Kings and Prince county games will allow the Panthers to support local charities and community causes which will be announced in the very near future,' he added.
Panther season ticket packages are now on sale and are offered for adults, seniors, students, youth, and families. Season ticket packages include all 12 games played in Charlottetown. Season ticket holders will be provided with the option to purchase the Kings and Prince county single game tickets prior to public sale.
In 2013-14, the Panthers AUS regular season record was 15 wins, 10 losses, and three overtime losses, finishing in fourth-place overall. The team bowed out in round one of playoffs to the Saint Mary's Huskies.
The Panthers excelled both on-and-off the ice with one CIS All-Canadian, three AUS all-stars, nine Academic All-Canadians, and four players who were members of Team Canada and won the World Universiade Games this past December.
In the coming weeks, the Panthers will release additional recruits, an impressive exhibition schedule, and more details on 2014-15 games.
For more information, or to purchase season tickets, visit Panther Central (Sports Centre) at (902) 566-0368 or panthercentral@upei.ca, or visit www.gopanthersgo.ca.
For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca
