MANITOULIN—The Manitoulin Panthers are off to an amazing start this season, with good coaching in place for all four teams and a number of wins under their belts too, Manitoulin Panthers President Craig Abotossaway commented to The Expositor.
Late last month each of the four teams—atoms, peewees, bantams and midgets—had the opportunity to play in the Sault Ste. Marie Steel Blades competition with resounding success.
“All the teams made it into the championships,” the president stated.
The midget and peewee teams won the entire championship, while both the bantam and peewees lost in the finals, taking home a very respectable silver medal nonetheless.
“They all put forth a great effort and they should be commended for representing the Manitoulin Panther name so well,” Mr. Abotossaway said.
This was just the first tournament of the year, which is an auspicious start of the hockey year for the big cats.
The atoms and peewee also played in the Sudbury Silver Stick tournament last weekend, with the atoms carrying that Silver Blades momentum forward to bring home the trophy. The peewee also made Manitoulin proud, making it all the way to quarterfinal play.
“The teams are proving to be very competitive in their divisions,” he added.
Hockey fans are encouraged to cheer the boys on at the Little Current arena. The midgets play Friday nights following the Mustang boys’ home games, with the rest of the Panthers each having Sunday matinee home games. The Panthers are also boasting new uniforms, in their standard snappy red and white colours, after much hard work and fundraising efforts over the summer months.
Mr. Abotossaway encourages the team’s sponsors to attend the annual ‘sponsor day,’ Sunday, January 19 where supportive businesspeople will be treated to some fast-paced local hockey and a complimentary fry and drink to boot.
Go Panthers go!
