CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A new format has attracted more players to the annual alumni game for UPEI men’s hockey Panthers.
As opposed to having four teams playing a round robin, the Panthers have made two 45-plus teams and a pair of under-45 squads. They will play their peers Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at MacLauchlan Arena.
“That’s brought a lot of guys out who haven’t played before,” said Dave Shellington, a member of the organizing committee. “We’ve got probably our biggest turnout ever for our alumni game.”
One of the players who will be playing this weekend is NHL veteran Joel Ward.
He said he is looking forward to being back in town, reminiscing and sharing stories with his former teammates, who are now lifelong friends. He’s also looking forward to walking around campus and seeing some former professors.
The weekend is organized by the Friends of UPEI Men’s Hockey with assistance from the UPEI Alumni Association and sponsors.
Each of the players make a donation to the program to assist in running the varsity program.
“The more guys we can get to participate, the more dollars we can raise through the Friends of UPEI Hockey and help the guys out,” said Shellington, who played for the Panthers from 1985 to 1990. “In a small way, it’s a chance for them to give back to a program that gave so much to so many of us.”
Shellington said Ron Carragher has been a driving force behind the alumni weekend and does a good job of organizing the event with its committee.
Need to know
A look at the rosters and schedule for the UPEI alumni games Saturday at MacLauchlan Arena.
45-plus division
Team MacDonald
Jamie Cudmore (G)
Wilf MacDonald (C)
Lenny Kelly
John Trainor
Terry McKenna
Rick Cameron
Sandy Gallant
Jeff Gallant
Derek Gamble
Bobby MacDonald
Donnie Clow
George Roberts
Brian Cameron
Derek Quinn
***
Team MacAdam
Jamie Blanchard (G)
Al MacAdam (C)
Andrew Bartlett
Ron MacKinnon
Dave Shellington
Richard Little
Jon Butler
Kent MacDonald
Paul Murnaghan
Brent Thompson
Ron Carragher
Dave Murnaghan
Brent MacDougall
Peter MacDonald
Coaches – Mike Ready, Ronnie Clough, Darren Murphy, Dave Reid, Doug Currie, Ron Hennessey, Norman Beck and Brad Campbell.
***
Under 45 division
Team Ward
Colin Beck
Kris MacPhee
Adam Rivet
Jon Murphy
Tyler Kenny
Connor Wilkinson
Jeremy Peirce
Connor Cameron
Scott Ellsworth
Darcy Harris
John Brioux
Wayne Savage
K.J. White
Mike MacIsaac
Joel Ward
Jason Flick (G)
Nathan Ramage (G)
Team James
Jason Denomme
Scott Cameron
Greg O’Brien
Cole MacMillan
Mark White
Nathan MacQuaid
Gordie Walsh
Nick Policelli
Paul Crabbe
Harrison MacIver
Mike White
Doug Clarke
Todd James
Darcy Ashley
Josh Patterson
Paul Drew (G)
Schedule
4-4:25 p.m. – Warm-up at Arena A.
Games – Each team plays two 25-minutes games between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Arena A – 45-plus games.
Arena B – Under 45 games.
