UPEI Panthers captain Mason Wilgosh is heading to Scotland to start his professional hockey career.
The 25-year-old Winnipeg native has signed with the Edinburgh Capitals of the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League.
“When I first decided to head overseas many of my previous coaches had mentioned the elite league would be a good fit for me,” Wilgosh said. “So once the Capitals had contacted me and talked about the team, fans and the City of Edinburgh it sounded like a perfect fit for me.”
Wilgosh played four seasons with the Panthers, culminating with a 20-point season in 28 games in 2015-16. He was the captain for three seasons. The centre played five seasons with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL before coming to UPEI.
Capitals general manager Scott Neil said Wilgosh has been described to him as pesky forward.
“He has a good mix of speed and skill and can mix it up in front of the net,” said Neil, who attended UPEI in the 1980s. “I’m told he has a great work ethic which fans will appreciate, and he also shows strong leadership qualities.”
UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson said he knew for some time there was a good chance Wilgosh would be moving on to start the next chapter of his life. The team supported him in his decision and made the connection with the Capitals.
MacPherson said Wilgosh, who has played for two organizations in the last nine years, brought plenty of qualities to the Panthers.
“We’re very proud of the culture of the men’s hockey program and it reflects a lot of people, a lot of guys within that room, but obviously he’s the guy that’s paving the way,” MacPherson said. “His commitment to UPEI, his work ethic, his dedication was second to none.”
It is a trait Wilgosh has helped instill in those Panthers he played with the last four seasons. It gives the team lots of options as it looks to who will wear the C next season.
“We 100 per cent know who are next captain will be,” MacPherson said, but the head coach wasn’t ready to release the name on Tuesday.
UPEI Panthers captain Mason Wilgosh is heading to Scotland to start his professional hockey career.
The 25-year-old Winnipeg native has signed with the Edinburgh Capitals of the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League.
“When I first decided to head overseas many of my previous coaches had mentioned the elite league would be a good fit for me,” Wilgosh said. “So once the Capitals had contacted me and talked about the team, fans and the City of Edinburgh it sounded like a perfect fit for me.”
Wilgosh played four seasons with the Panthers, culminating with a 20-point season in 28 games in 2015-16. He was the captain for three seasons. The centre played five seasons with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL before coming to UPEI.
Capitals general manager Scott Neil said Wilgosh has been described to him as pesky forward.
“He has a good mix of speed and skill and can mix it up in front of the net,” said Neil, who attended UPEI in the 1980s. “I’m told he has a great work ethic which fans will appreciate, and he also shows strong leadership qualities.”
UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson said he knew for some time there was a good chance Wilgosh would be moving on to start the next chapter of his life. The team supported him in his decision and made the connection with the Capitals.
MacPherson said Wilgosh, who has played for two organizations in the last nine years, brought plenty of qualities to the Panthers.
“We’re very proud of the culture of the men’s hockey program and it reflects a lot of people, a lot of guys within that room, but obviously he’s the guy that’s paving the way,” MacPherson said. “His commitment to UPEI, his work ethic, his dedication was second to none.”
It is a trait Wilgosh has helped instill in those Panthers he played with the last four seasons. It gives the team lots of options as it looks to who will wear the C next season.
“We 100 per cent know who are next captain will be,” MacPherson said, but the head coach wasn’t ready to release the name on Tuesday.
