The official team site of the Peninsula Panthers, proud members of the VIJHL, an independent junior hockey league associated with the BCHL

COACHING & TEAM STAFF

Tyler, who is no stranger to hockey on the Island, is returning for his second year behind the Panthers Bench. The Bench Boss had been coaching at the U18 level for the past 7 years with JDF Minor Hockey, winning 2 Island championships and a silver medal at BC provincials this past year. The Club also won the Richmond International Tournament this past season. Stanton toiled in the VIJHL with the Westshore Wolves and Saanich Braves and after his playing days in the League were over, he jumped right into the coaching ranks and instantly fell in love with the game from a different vantage point. The sport is something that has always been a great passion of his – starting right from his early years in Minor Hockey. Coming into his second year with the Panthers, he looks to bring the same look, with some new flavor under new ownership, following the purchase by the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL. The goal is not only to bring a championship back to the Peninsula, but to push as many of these players onto the next level.

📧 Tyler@panthers-hockey.com

Grayson Vickers was born and raised in Victoria BC. He started skating at 3 years old and found a love for hockey when he started with the Saanich Braves in Novices. He continued through with the Braves to Midget, and affiliated with their Junior B team in his final year. He was then signed by the Peninsula Panthers where he played there for 3 years. After his final season with the Panthers, he started coaching Midget B for the Saanich Braves. Then was given an opportunity to play Junior A in an independent league in based in Ontario and Michigan. Upon Grayson’s return to Victoria, he continued coaching both the midget B and bantam A for Saanich. During the 2022-2023 season he was brought on to assist with Panthers in their final months that carried into 2023-2024 season as an assistant coach.

📧 Grayson@panthers-hockey.com

Colin grew up playing minor hockey for Juan de Fuca and played 2 years of Junior B. He has coached for the past 14 years at Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey including the past 10 years with U18 Tier 1 and in his final year, winning a gold medal at the Richmond International and silver medal at the BC Provincial Championships with Tyler Stanton and Connor Mccelland. He is now thrilled to be joining Tyler and Connor for another year with the Panthers Organization!

Hans Kossmann has been around the game of hockey at a professional level for over 30 years as both a player and coach and now as a resident of North Saanich, British Columbia has brought his experience to help develop players on the Peninsula Panthers since 2022 as an Associate Coach.

Kossmann played professionally in Switzerland in his early 20’s and went on to an illustrious coaching career spanning over two decades. He has won at the highest levels in the game in Switzerland. As well, he was the bench boss of the Professional Fribourg-Gotteron when who competed in the 2012 Spengler Cup. Kossmann’s Club lost in the semi-finals to the Canadians, the eventual Gold Medal winners comprised mostly of NHL players. The NHL was locked out in 2012 and a powerhouse squad travelled to Davos winning the final game against the Davos Team. The Spengler Cup experience was one of many highlights of his career. Kossman retired three years ago and now resides in North Saanich and only minutes drive from the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre where he will again add great experience to the coaching staff for the yet another season.

Devon Douglas is from Southern Saskatchewan where he played Junior Hockey in the mid 90’s. Devon was a U18 and AP goaltender with the Estevan Bruins, part of the Keystone Cup winning Assiniboia Southern Rebels, then played Junior around Regina while attending University. After graduating in 2005, he moved to Victoria, BC and has been working for the Health Region. Devon started goalie coaching in 2018 with the JDF U18 tier 1’s before making the move up to Junior A Tier 2 in 2023 with the Peninsula Panthers.

Colin grew up playing minor hockey for Juan de Fuca and played 2 years of Junior B. He has coached for the past 14 years at Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey including the past 10 years with U18 Tier 1 and in his final year, winning a gold medal at the Richmond International and silver medal at the BC Provincial Championships with Tyler Stanton and Connor Mccelland. He is now thrilled to be joining Tyler and Connor for another year with the Panthers Organization!

Luciano has been involved in hockey for 25+ years as a player, coach, and now as a resource for mental performance and well-being. His playing career involved playing junior for a few years and at the University of Victoria for five, followed by two seasons professionally in Europe. Throughout his career, he struggled with many issues that most athletes face, including performance anxiety, difficulty performing under pressure, a lack of consistency, and fluctuations in confidence, which gives him a unique understanding of athletes’ experiences. He is very enthusiastic about the role that athletics play in mental health and well-being, and believes that performance in sport is inextricably linked with mental strength and resiliency. Luciano strives to integrate his experience as an athlete with his approach in counselling, consulting, coaching, and supporting athletes with performance enhancement and growth.

https://www.lucianosomerville.com/

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Matthew grew up in St Paul, Alberta and was raised in a hockey obsessed family. Whilst never playing hockey before, he instantly fell in love with the sport. With a passion for the game and a desire to work within hockey he jumped at the opportunity to become the Alberta based scout for the Panthers. He is looking forward to finding local Albertan talent to send out to Victoria!

📧 scouting@panthers-hockey.com