UPEI Men’s Hockey Panthers add high-scoring forward Marcus Power
The UPEI Men's Hockey Panthers have landed the second-leading scorer in last year's Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the addition of Marcus Power of St. John's, Newfoundland.
Power scored 31 goals and 109 points with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, finishing the season with a +/- rating of +25. His strong season caught the attention of NHL clubs and Power was invited to attend a rookie camp with the Colorado Avalanche. He was invited back to participate in the main camp last month, and was offered a contract to play in the Avalanche system but Power opted to attend UPEI after committing to the University earlier in the summer.
'At this point in my life, I felt it was best to pursue an education, and I know the AUS is such a good league that it will only help my hockey career going forward,' said Power. 'I like everything I have heard about UPEI. I am excited about the role I am going to be asked to play. It became evident to me early on that if I were to go the CIS route, it would be with the Panthers.'
UPEI Men's Hockey Head Coach Forbes MacPherson said the addition of Power is huge for his team. 'Marcus is big, strong, and talented. In the Q last year, only Jonathan Druin (Halifax Mooseheads) had more assists than Marcus, so that gives you an idea of how well he sees the ice and how well he distributes the puck,' said MacPherson. 'I expect players like Chris DeSousa, Tyler Brown, Darcy Ashley, and others will benefit from the offensive abilities of Marcus Power.'
Power says another reason he has chosen to become a student-athlete at UPEI was because of his consultations with his former junior coach Connor Cameron, a former Panther and current assistant coach with the Charlottetown Islanders. 'Connor told me what kind of coach Forbes is, how far the team has come, and how well I am going to fit in. Connor was my coach and has become my friend, and I put a lot of trust in what he had to say.'
At six-foot-one, 190 lbs., Power says he prides himself on being a player who competes and succeeds in both ends of the rink. While he knows he will be counted on to put up numbers and create scoring opportunities, Power also knows the top centres in the AUS have to be well rounded. 'I like to think there are many positive aspects to my game. In junior I put up some good numbers, but I also played the role of shut down centre,' said Power. 'I want to be counted on to be on the ice when the game is on the line. That is what top end centres have to do.'
Power is enrolled in the arts program at UPEI. He says he is in the best shape of his life and looking forward to being in the line-up for the season opener October 11 vs. UNB at Eastlink Centre. 'I'm ready to go. It should be a great atmosphere, and hopefully we can go out and get the ‘W.''
UPEI Men's Hockey season tickets are available now and include 13 games in Charlottetown and a playoff holding seat. Call the Panther Box Office at (902) 566-0368 to purchase tickets in time for the home opener.
Season ticket prices:
Adult - $171
Seniors -$ 150
Non-UPEI student - $70
Youth (12 and under) - $35
3 and under - free
Go Panthers Go!
For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca
