SEASON PREVIEW: Behind strong recruitment class, Panthers have eyes set on ultimate prize

By Thomas Becker

3-1; 2-1(OT); 5-0. Those were the scores in last year's semifinal series versus the powerhouse UNB Reds. It wasn't the result UPEI's men's hockey team was looking for, but with a hell of an effort, this team raised eyebrows and showed they can compete against the country's best.  

Now, with an exciting recruitment class and a clean slate, the team is quietly optimistic heading into the 2019-20 season. 

"I felt our group last year down the stretch and into the playoffs was very dialed in," said head coach Forbes MacPherson. "We want our team playing that hard every single game."  

The biggest story throughout the offseason was the group of rookies MacPherson brought in to help this battle-tested team take the next step. 

Former Erie Otters star Kyle Maksimovich, who scored 105 goals over four-plus seasons, headlined a group of eight players looking to make their mark in the green and white.  

"We targeted Kyle this time last year and we went all in after him."

After losing close to 50 per cent of their scoring production in Cody Payne, Gabe Guertler, Sam Aulie, Brent Andrews and Beau McCue, the Panthers stockpiled proven forwards who delivered with their respective teams.

That wave of talent includes Jordan Maher (Charlottetown Islanders), Jesse Sutton (Acadie-Bathurst Titan), T.J. Shea (Summerside Western Capitals) and twins Darian and Drake Pilon (Sudbury Wolves), while Summerside Western Capitals defencemen Conor MacEachern and Jesse Annear round out the class.

"With this group, I think we're going to be more abrasive and I think we're going to be more irritable to play against," MacPherson said. "We became young very quick, but we believe the core is here now and will continue to grow together."

But to count solely on rookies would be a recipe for disaster, which makes strong seasons from standouts Kameron Kielly (15G, 28A), Filip Rydstrom (12G, 12A) and the continued growth of sophomores Troy Lajeunesse (6G, 8A) and Luke Kirwan essential in 2019-20. 

"We've added quality players that we're all excited about," Rydstrom said. "We obviously want to build off the success from last year and head into the season playing 'Panther' hockey."

MacPherson's confident the skilled players peppered throughout the lineup can produce close to, if not more than, the 101 goals they scored a year ago. It's the defence that allowed a league-high 123 goals that's been the biggest concern and the primary focus in training camp. This year the team is looking to shave off at least 20 goals against. 

"It'd be like adding a 20-goal scorer," MacPherson said. "If we can cut down the goals against, I think we'll be in good shape."

Owen Headrick, who made an immediate impact on the blue line in his first season, said the team is committed to being tougher to play against, which requires better communication and being mindful of defensive assignments — whether it's recognizing when to jump in the rush or when to stay home.

"We play in one of the strongest conferences in the country and we need to be ready to play our best hockey each and every night."

The back end of the defence belongs to the goaltending tandem of Simon Hofley and Matthew Mancina, who'll be pivotal in determining how far the Panthers climb the standings. Each of them looked great in spurts, but a lack of consistency led to a league worst 3.88 goals against average, despite the team allowing the fourth fewest shots. 

Like any team, there's a lot of moving parts that need to come together quickly to be successful. And while there's belief in themselves, the inaugural coaches' poll — released earlier this week — pegged them in fourth place. MacPherson said he wasn't surprised by the preseason ranking, but acknowledged it's an opportunity to prove the critics wrong.

"Until we slap recent history in the face, that's who we are," he said. "That's the exciting part about this time of year. It doesn't matter who you are, it's a clean slate and everybody starts at 0-0."

Tickets are on sale now. Home opener is Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. >>> gopanthersgo.ca/tickets