Pete Zubersky, owner and general manager of the Peninsula Panthers, is excited about the start of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) season.

The Panthers are scheduled to play their first home game Friday night (Sept. 10) at Panorama Recreation Centre against the Victoria Cougars, a day after the teams face off at Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt.

However, that schedule could change as the season opener between the Westshore Wolves and Lake Cowichan Kraken, which was scheduled for Wednesday night, was cancelled due to positive COVID-19 tests among players.

B次元官网网址淲e have a really excited group who are ready to go for our home opener, and I would think that our fans will have a ton of energy going into the game on Friday,B次元官网网址� Zubersky said. B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 hurt to have the Cougars in for the game, there is not a lot of love lost between the two organizations.B次元官网网址�

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His own anticipation flows from the overall position of the league.

B次元官网网址淲e have never been healthier,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭here is real excitement around the league with the expansion. I have been in the league for 20 years and this is the first time in the last decade that we have had expansion.B次元官网网址�

This season sees the league grow by two teams to 11 B次元官网网址� the Lake Cowichan Kraken and Port Alberni Bombers have joined B次元官网网址� with six teams in the North Division and five in the South including the Panthers.

This expansion appears even more remarkable considering the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a toll on audience-based businesses, including sports leagues around the world. The addition of two teams to a league relying heavily on bums-in-seats can only be read as a sign of confidence.

VIJHL:

B次元官网网址淚 was really surprised in the interest,B次元官网网址� Zubersky said. B次元官网网址淭here were a lot of people calling about adding teams.B次元官网网址�

Current COVID-19 rules permit up to 200 fans, or 50 per cent of the seating at the PanthersB次元官网网址� home den at Panorama. New public health measures announced this week mean fans must wear masks and show proof of vaccination starting Sept. 13.

The Panthers were in the middle of a tight playoff series against the Victoria Cougars when the start of the pandemic abruptly ended the season in March 2020. Months later, the league suspended play in the fall of 2020, then pulled the plug completely in March 2021.

While case counts are rising again, circumstances are different following the widespread introduction of vaccines.

B次元官网网址淲e encouraged our players like two-and-a-half months ago to get vaccinated,B次元官网网址� Zubersky said. B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 make it mandatory. We just really encouraged everyone, because we could sort of see this coming.B次元官网网址�

That effort paid off as 100 per cent of staff, management and players are vaccinated as part of the proactive campaign to prevent any future stoppages.

As the team prepares for its home opener, early results are promising as the Panthers have won two of three exhibition games. Zubersky likes what he sees from his team of 23, all but two of whom come from Greater Victoria. Nine players hail from the Saanich Peninsula, having played in the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association.

B次元官网网址淚 think we have a pretty good club,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o from a competitive performance standpoint, we are really excited about the upcoming season.B次元官网网址�

The Panthers look to add a new spark to their offence, as Tanner Wort (42 goals in 48 games in 2019-20) and Josh Lingard (30 goals in 46 games) have moved on.

B次元官网网址淭hose are two huge holes in our roster, but that is the way the junior game works and other guys fill in,B次元官网网址� Zubersky said. B次元官网网址淥ur defence is back and most of our forwards are back.B次元官网网址�

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New additions give reasons for optimism, like forward Payton Braun, brother of the PanthersB次元官网网址� Riley Braun.

B次元官网网址淗e is a big-bodied kid. He has a heavy shot and he is going to be an exciting addition to our lineup,B次元官网网址� Zubersky said.

Also joining the Panthers is forward Davey Moody, who played with the White Rock Whalers last year.

He is now pursuing a business degree at the University of Victoria, where the Brauns are both studying dentistry.

B次元官网网址淪o we managed to pick (Moody) up and I think he is going to be a real treat.B次元官网网址�

The Panthers will play 52 games, facing North Division opponents twice each and South Division rivals 10 times each.

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wolfgang.depner@peninsulanewsreview.com