CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Tessa (Roche) Casey, Vernon Pahl and the 1984-85 men’s hockey team will be inducted into the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame this fall.
It will bring membership into the hall to 50.
“We are thrilled to be inducting these two fine athletes, Tessa and Vernon, as well as the 1984-85 men’s hockey team, into the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame during the 50th anniversary year for UPEI,” said Chris Huggan, director of athletics and recreation. “It is fitting to celebrate their accomplishments while also remembering their fellow members who have entered the Hall of Fame before them, and honour 50 years of Panther sport.”
Roche played both soccer and hockey for the Panthers.
The foundation of the women’s soccer team from 2005-10, Roche was a three-time Atlantic University Sport (AUS) scoring leader. The striker from Pownal had 46 career goals.
She was named a first team AUS all-star five times and a first team all-Canadian twice. Roche now works at UPEI as clinic co-ordinator for the SPOR-PEI Primary and Integrated Healthcare Innovation Network.
The induction ceremony will be a family affair for Casey as her uncles Albert and Gordie Roche were both on the 1984-85 hockey team.
Vernon Pahl came to UPEI to from Montreal to focus on academics and football. In 1976, he was being encouraged by UNB, which had a varsity football program at the time, to play in Fredericton, N.B. Pahl elected to go to UPEI, feeling he would have fewer distractions at the Island university. His decision proved fruitful as he went on to be a Panther football great, CFL champion (Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 1984 and 1988).
He now practices law in Vancouver. He is a partner at Guild Yule LLP Barrister and Solicitors.
Did you know?
The UPEI Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 2001 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the athletic programs at UPEI, Saint Dunstan’s University, or Prince of Wales College. Each year, individual athletes, teams and builders are inducted to honour their contributions towards the university’s athletic success or community leadership.
The 1984-85 men’s hockey team, coached by P.E.I. and UPEI Hall of Famer Vince Mulligan, won the university’s first Atlantic Universities Athletic Association (AUAA) championship in exciting fashion.
Bobby MacDonald scored the memorable overtime goal to give the Panthers the 1985 title as UPEI defeated Moncton in Game 2 of the best-of-three championship series at a packed and electrified Charlottetown Forum.
The Panthers line-up included scoring talent such as Greg Gravel, who was the conference’s MVP the previous season; Ron Carragher, Norman Beck and Randy Muttart. Rob Moffat and Darwin McCutcheon were two-way defencemen and the goaltending duo of Tony Haladuick and Dave Reid was solid between the pipes.
The induction ceremony will take place as part of the UPEI Sports Legacy Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 14. The gala reception begins at 6 p.m., with dinner and the induction ceremony to follow. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at the Panther central desk or by calling 902-566-0368.
The weekend festivities include the Panthers basketball teams hosting Dalhousie on Friday and Saturday. Hall of Fame members will be recognized between games on Friday.
The men’s hockey Panthers will host the national champion UNB Varsity Reds Saturday at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the women’s hockey team will host the Saint Mary’s Huskies at 3 p.m.
Roster
A look at the UPEI Panthers 1984-85 men’s hockey team roster:
Captain Doug Currie
Assistant captain Greg Gravel
Assistant captain Steve Fulton
Tony Haladuick
Ron Carragher
Albert Roche
Dave Reid
Rob Moffat
Jeff Steffan
Bobby MacDonald
Kevin Skilleter
Darwin McCurtcheon
Norman Beck
Bobby Hicks
John Pocock
John Butler
Danny Revell
Don Clow
Gordie Roche
Todd Sutcliffe
Randy Muttart
Garth Arsenault
Coaching staff
Head coach Vince Mulligan
Assistant coach Mike Ready
Trainer Paul Peacock
Trainer Kevin MacNeil
