Friday’s home game has special meaning for Sam Sweet.
The third-year UPEI Panthers forward will play her first game at the O'Leary Community Sports Centre since peewee. The O’Leary native played bantam in Alberton and midget in Tyne Valley.
“It’s going to be different, going back there to play,” she said before practice on Tuesday. “It’s going to be fun to play in front of family and friends.”
The rink holds special meaning for Sweet. Her mother, Della, managed the rink and Sweet spent a lot of time there growing up.
“I was there from the time I was born pretty much,” she laughed.
Sweet started figure skating when she was three years old. She continued figure skating while playing hockey for two years before deciding to focus on hockey.
Panthers coach Bruce Donaldson saw Sweet move through the Hockey P.E.I. program, but it was at the Canada Games in Halifax in 2011 where he really took notice.
“I was impressed with what she brought to the team, both on the ice and off the ice,” he said. “She has natural leadership skills as well. She is a great communicator and she has a lot of respect in the dressing room.”
He approached Sweet about coming to UPEI.
“I didn’t want to leave the Island right away, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” Sweet recalled. “I talked to Bruce and he said I could play hockey here. As soon as he said I had a spot on the team, it kind of sealed the deal for me.”
Sweet is an academic all-Canadian while studying science and an assistant captain for the Panthers. She is known as a strong skater with grit who is tough to play against.
“She leads by example,” Donaldson said. “On the ice, she’s just incredible in terms of that work piece.”
The Panthers have gone on the road for home games in Island towns in the past and they have been well received.
“We always get great crowds,” Donaldson said, and “it’s a way for us to showcase the program.”
The Panthers (4-5) will play the St. Thomas Tommies (4-3-3) at 7 p.m.
Donaldson said St. Thomas is a patient team that is tough to score against.
Marie Soleil Deschenes will get the start in the Panthers’ crease and Donaldson expects to ice a similar lineup on Saturday when UPEI lost 3-2 to undefeated St. F.X.
“I thought we played our best 60 minutes of the year,” he said. “We need to come with the same intensity and same passion.”
Sweet, who turns 20 next month, said sports have always been a big part of her life. She ran track and cross-country in high school and also played badminton, volleyball and softball.
She was part of the Canada Games volleyball team this summer in Sherbrooke, Que. Her older brother, Matt, played at UNB and is now an assistant coach with the team.
“We’re the (probably) most competitive family, I think, in P.E.I.,” Sam said.
Friday’s home game has special meaning for Sam Sweet.
The third-year UPEI Panthers forward will play her first game at the O'Leary Community Sports Centre since peewee. The O’Leary native played bantam in Alberton and midget in Tyne Valley.
“It’s going to be different, going back there to play,” she said before practice on Tuesday. “It’s going to be fun to play in front of family and friends.”
The rink holds special meaning for Sweet. Her mother, Della, managed the rink and Sweet spent a lot of time there growing up.
“I was there from the time I was born pretty much,” she laughed.
Sweet started figure skating when she was three years old. She continued figure skating while playing hockey for two years before deciding to focus on hockey.
Panthers coach Bruce Donaldson saw Sweet move through the Hockey P.E.I. program, but it was at the Canada Games in Halifax in 2011 where he really took notice.
“I was impressed with what she brought to the team, both on the ice and off the ice,” he said. “She has natural leadership skills as well. She is a great communicator and she has a lot of respect in the dressing room.”
He approached Sweet about coming to UPEI.
“I didn’t want to leave the Island right away, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” Sweet recalled. “I talked to Bruce and he said I could play hockey here. As soon as he said I had a spot on the team, it kind of sealed the deal for me.”
Sweet is an academic all-Canadian while studying science and an assistant captain for the Panthers. She is known as a strong skater with grit who is tough to play against.
“She leads by example,” Donaldson said. “On the ice, she’s just incredible in terms of that work piece.”
The Panthers have gone on the road for home games in Island towns in the past and they have been well received.
“We always get great crowds,” Donaldson said, and “it’s a way for us to showcase the program.”
The Panthers (4-5) will play the St. Thomas Tommies (4-3-3) at 7 p.m.
Donaldson said St. Thomas is a patient team that is tough to score against.
Marie Soleil Deschenes will get the start in the Panthers’ crease and Donaldson expects to ice a similar lineup on Saturday when UPEI lost 3-2 to undefeated St. F.X.
“I thought we played our best 60 minutes of the year,” he said. “We need to come with the same intensity and same passion.”
Sweet, who turns 20 next month, said sports have always been a big part of her life. She ran track and cross-country in high school and also played badminton, volleyball and softball.
She was part of the Canada Games volleyball team this summer in Sherbrooke, Que. Her older brother, Matt, played at UNB and is now an assistant coach with the team.
“We’re the (probably) most competitive family, I think, in P.E.I.,” Sam said.
