Five UPEI Men’s Hockey players and head coach named to U SPORTS all-star team to face off against World Junior athletes

The UPEI Panthers will be well represented when the U SPORTS men’s hockey all-stars compete against Canada’s national junior team selection camp hopefuls this weekend.

This year, U SPORTS has selected players exclusively from Atlantic University Sport (AUS), and five of them play for the Panthers.

One of the most productive forward lines in Canadian university hockey this season has earned its way on the roster and includes UPEI captain Troy Lajeunesse and assistant captains TJ Shea and Kyle Maksimovich. Together, the trio has guided the Panthers to an impressive 12-5-1 record, scoring a combined 33 goals and 33 assists along the way.

Breakout star Matt Brassard also made the roster after leading all U SPORTS defencemen with 23 points in the first 18 games of the season. He will be joined by steady netminder Jonah Capriotti, who sports a 2.43 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage, second among AUS goaltenders.

“I congratulate these hard-working members of our men’s hockey team,” said Jane Vessey, director of Athletics and Recreation. “We are very proud of these players, and we know they will be very valuable assets to the U SPORTS all-star team this weekend in Moncton.”

UPEI Panthers head coach Forbes MacPherson will assist all-star team head coach Gardiner MacDougall during the two-game exhibition showcase scheduled for December 11 at 2:00 pm and December 12 at 12:00 pm at the Avenir Centre in Moncton.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at www.avenircentre.com.