Panthers power up
The Pelham Panthers have given Blake Power a new lease on his hockey life.
The 17-year-old Oakville native began the season with the Niagara Falls Canucks and had high hopes of becoming a key member of the Canucks’ blueline.
“I was looking around for a junior team, wherever I could get ice time, and Niagara Falls told me it would be a great fit and I felt the same,” Power said.
But by his own admission, Power got off to a slow start and soon found himself in a reduced role.
“It wasn’t anything bad or anything like that,” Power said.
Power, like virtually all players, was coming off a season of inactivity, but wasn’t about to use the COVID pandemic as a factor.
“It’s definitely hard but I can’t make any excuses,” he said. “It wasn’t like it was only me that wasn’t playing. I think it was more my first time playing junior and playing with other age groups but now I think I’m starting to get into the groove of everything.”
Power said a chat with Canucks coach Frank Pietrangelo turned out to be beneficial and soon Power found himself a member of the Panthers.
“Frank told me I was a young kid and need as much ice time as anyone can give me,” Power said. “He basically said he can’t give me as much ice time as he thinks I need and thought this would be the best move for me.”
Four games into his tenure with the Panthers, Power would have to agree.
“It’s great,” he said. “I play as much as I want, whenever I’m needed, which is good. Being one of the top guys is really good.”
Panthers owner/coach Tim Toffolo was more than happy to bring in Power — after all, 6-foot-4, right-handed-shooting rearguards who are mobile and can move the puck don’t grow on trees.
“He’s a great player,” Toffolo said. “Frank said they had him high on their list in the beginning. I don’t know what happened there but he’s big, strong and has good vision and a good stick. He’s a great addition to our lineup.”
Power, who is scoreless in four games with the Panthers, enjoys the offensive part of his game.
“The power play is the thing I love the most,” he said. “I like rushing the puck but I think I’ve gone away from that a little bit and tried to move the puck quicker.”
Power, who is commuting from Oakville, has high aspirations going forward.
“My goal is put up some good numbers and maybe get a spot on a BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League) team and then go NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association),” he said.
The Panthers also added 18-year-old defenceman Brydan Gibbs, who most recently played for the North Bay Trappers U18 squad.
“We’ve picked up some pretty big pieces that are going to improve us and help us a lot,” Toffolo said.
The Panthers are in Niagara Falls Friday and home to Caledonia Sunday at 2:45 p.m. to conclude their schedule before the Christmas break.
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