Brent MacDougall looking forward to getting back to UPEI for Saturday’s alumni day

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Brent MacDougall feels as much a part of the UPEI Panthers as he did three decades ago during his Cooperall pants playing days at the Charlottetown Forum.

The strong, high-energy, right-shooting forward, was part of the back-to-back league titles the Panthers captured in 1987 and 1988. MacDougall, who lives in Halifax, gets a chance to recharge his connection this Saturday at the annual UPEI Alumni Hockey Player Day at MacLauchlan Arena.

MacDougall grew up in Antigonish, N.S., and came to UPEI in the fall of 1986.

“I was fortunate to come to UPEI at the right time and we had great success and we were on the right side of the score most nights,” he said. “How fast the time flies, but it’s amazing when you get back and see those guys that you played with. Thirty years seems like 30 days, because one thing we all share, regardless of when it was, is a special bond of putting on that sweater.”

MacDougall said he enjoys getting back to the Island for alumni day.

“The stories are almost all the same from year to year but like fine wine they get better as the years go by,” MacDougall said with a laugh.

MacDougall has not missed many editions of the annual event, which is spearheaded by Ron Carragher and a committee that includes former players Dave Reid, Billy Mulligan, John Brioux, Scott Cameron, Jason Denomme, Dave Mitchell, K.J. White and Todd James.

“As soon as I hear the date I book it in my calendar and call guys in the Halifax area and see who is going to come over for it,” MacDougall said.

Saturday’s alumni day includes a mini-tournament between former players, a parade of players introduction before the Panthers game that night – against Saint Mary’s – and a reception in the south end of MacLauchlan Arena. It wasn’t always this way.

“I remember that the alumni game used to be some alumni players playing the varsity team usually between Christmas and New Year’s as a way to help get the Panthers ready for the second half,” MacDougall said before starting to laugh and adding, “It’d be pretty hard keeping up with them now.”

– Compiled by Alf Blanchard.

Rosters

Team White

Goalie

TBA

Skaters

Rick Cameron

Rich Little

Jason Denomme

Scott Cameron

Greg O’Brien

Aaron Dawson

Colin Beck

Cole MacMillan

Coaches

Mike Ready

Ronnie Clough

Darren Murphy

Team Green

Goalie

Jamie Cudmore

Skaters

Mark White

Jonathan Murphy

Ron Carragher

Greg Gravel

Sandy Gallant

Jordon Knox

Thomas Waugh

Tyler Kenny

Coaches

Dave Reid

Doug Currie

Team Black

Goalie

Jamie Blanchard

Skaters

Keith Ford

Don Clow

Scott Ellsworth

Darcy Harris

John Brioux

Nick Policelli

Tyler Brown

Wayne Savage

Coaches

Ron MacKinnon

Norman Beck

Team Gold

Goalie

Brian Dunn

Skaters

Brent MacDougall

Brian Cameron

Paul Crabbe

KJ White

Andrew Bartlett

Craig Foster

Harrison MacIver

Mike White

Coaches

Jeff Gallant

Ron Hennessey

Schedule

4:10 p.m.

Arena A – Black vs. Green.

Arena B –White vs. Gold.

4:35 p.m.

Arena A – Gold vs. Black.

Arena B – Green vs. White.

5 p.m.

Arena A – Black vs. White.

Arena B – Gold vs. Green.

*All games are 20 minutes and will be played at MacLauchlan Arenas A and B. All players are asked to be dressed and ready to go by 4 p.m. Warm-up takes place from 4–4:10 p.m. with teams warming up in arena where they play their first game.

Panthers schedule

A look at this week’s UPEI Panthers varsity sports schedule

Friday

Women’s basketball

6 p.m. – UPEI at Acadia.

Men’s hockey

7 p.m. – Acadia at UPEI.

Men’s basketball

8 p.m. – UPEI at Acadia.

Saturday

Track and field

Indoor meet at Dalhousie, time to be determined.

Women’s hockey

3 p.m. – Saint Mary’s vs. UPEI at the Montague Wellness Centre.

Women’s basketball

6 p.m. – UPEI at Acadia.

Men’s hockey

7 p.m. – Saint Mary’s at UPEI. (men's hockey alumni day)

Men’s basketball

8 p.m. – UPEI at Acadia.

Sunday

Women’s hockey

3 p.m. – UPEI at St. FX.