With defined roles, the Panthers aim to capture championship

By Thomas Becker

Photo Lorenzo Parker

When head coach Bruce Donaldson assembled his team, he wanted a group of people who could work well together and play as one.

During the preseason, in which the Panthers went 2-4, Donaldson gave each player one role that he believed they could succeed in, in hopes of piecing together the challenging puzzle of building a contender.

For players who grew up as key contributors – playing multiple roles on their respective teams – the transition hasn't been easy, but Donaldson said in time, the players will get accustomed to playing alongside one another while knowing each other's roles on the ice.

"If everyone knows how they fit on this team, we'll be successful," the coach said.

Last season ended in disappointment as UPEI failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign. As a result, Donaldson overhauled his roster during the offseason and recruited nine rookies, who have already made an impression on their tenth-year coach.

"We have a very nice compliment of new and veteran players and it's given us an opportunity to move lines around and make things happen."

Out of the 16 preseason goals the Panthers have scored, 90 per cent of them came from first-year players, Donaldson said.

"What's great is it's been different rookies each night, which is nice to have as a coach."

Local standouts Maria Clinton (Souris) and Alisha MacDonald (Summerside) are two forwards who joined the program by way of the P.E.I. Female Midget AAA Hockey League. While rookie defensemen and Nova Scotians Kristen MacIntyre (Nepean Junior Wildcats of Ontario's Provincial Women's Hockey League) and Breah MacEachern (Ontario Hockey Academy) decided to commit to UPEI following stints in Ontario.

"To be able to attract Nova Scotia girls to this school is big for us," Donaldson said. "Typically we would be vying with Saint Mary's, Dalhousie and St FX for that level of talent."

While the rookies bring a youthful energy to the team, the heart and soul of the Panthers still belongs to their seasoned veterans. Captain and last season's leading scorer Kiana Strand (10 points in 24 games) and Atlantic University Sport (AUS) second team all-star Emma Martin have big upside and will be leaned on heavily to lead the young Panthers into battle.

Newcomer Sydnee Baker comes in with experience playing for the London Jr. Devilettes of the PWHL and provides Donaldson with a power forward who can help score for a team that ranked last with just 33 goals in 24 contests.

"I think as she gets accustomed to the league she's going to have some big success," Donaldson said of his young forward.

Offensively, Donaldson simplified his game plan to ensure more pucks find the back of the net.

"We've asked them to simplify the game and focus on getting pucks and bodies to the net," he said. "If we continue to do that we're going to have better success."

Led by assistant captain Bria Harding and AUS second team all-star Marie-Soleil 'Sunshine' Deschenes in goal, the defence looks to take another step forward after allowing 61 goals (the third highest of the seven-team conference) a season ago.

With MacIntyre and MacEachern's help behind the blue line, the defence figures to be much improved.

"We needed to get stronger in the back end, so we wanted to look for a couple defensemen that complimented our game."

After a forgettable 2015-16, Donaldson is eager to show off his new team to the Panther faithful when they play their home opener on Oct. 21. Donaldson promises a more competitive team that can push top-tier teams like the defending champion Saint Mary's Huskies and defensive powerhouse St. Thomas Tommies for playoff supremacy.

"They have a lot of maturity," Donaldson said of his competition. "They both have good size and they're well coached. We have to be able to match their physicality if we want to be there in the end."

After taking their first two games on the road, the undefeated Panthers make their home debut on Oct. 21 against the St. Thomas Tommies at 7 p.m.