Four local hockey players will hit the ice in the 2019 Peewee Prospect Cup.
Ismail Abougouche, Jacob Labant, Cash Capjack, and Cael Charlton from the Lakeland Panthers peewee AA team were successful in their tryouts for the tournament.
Hosted by Hockey Alberta, the Prospect Cup is held in alternating years with the Alberta Winter Games, and is part of the Alberta development program for hockey players. The four-day long event will be taking place in Lethbridge from May 8 to 12.
”It’s a huge opportunity for them,” expressed Moneaur Abougouche, assistant coach for the Panthers. “This is kind of the start of elite hockey, and they’re on the map now... The boys have given themselves the chance to be noticed, and become familiar names for scouts throughout the province and possibly outside of the province.”
For Charlton, hearing the news he was selected for the tournament “felt crazy.”
”I was proud of myself. There were lots of other goalies that could have made it. So I was pretty happy when I found out that they picked me.”
Abougouche described Charlton as a calm presence in net for his team.
”There’s no peaks or valleys with him as far as emotions. He doesn’t let too much get to him in the goal, he recovers quickly and he puts it behind him, which is a very good characteristic for a goalie to have,” he noted.
Fellow teammate Capjack was thrilled to make the roster, even though he won’t be able to play this year.
During a game, Capjack broke his leg, and as a result, will be watching his teammates from the stands during the Prospect Cup.
”I felt really good (to make the team) because I made one of the best teams in Alberta with a lot of really good kids,” he expressed.
During his tryouts for the Panthers, Abougouche noted that Capjack, who plays centre, stood out early on.
”He’s a very fast and speedy skater with heart and a natural shot. He brought a lot of energy to our team. He’s a very exciting player to watch. Unfortunately, he broke his leg and I’m hugely disappointed for him that he won’t get to fulfill this opportunity,” said Abougouche.
Right-winger Labant led the Panthers in scoring for the last two seasons.
”He’s a big, fast, and aggressive player who’s very intimidating on the ice, exciting to watch, and a very powerful player in many areas, whether it’s speed, shots, or physicality,” outlined Abougouche.
When he heard three of his fellow Panthers would be joining him at the Prospect Cup, Ismail couldn’t wait to hit the ice.
”All of those three boys are close friends with me, and I was excited to have them on the team.”
For the defenceman, being part of the tournament showed that “my time put in on and off the ice had paid off.”
”I wanted to tryout for the team mostly to get a scholarship in university so I can play hockey while I go to school,” he explained.
Abougouche described Ismail as a versatile player, who took on the role of both forward and defence this past season.
”He’s a big player with a big shot, and can also play physical. He’s definitely another stabilizing influence for us.”
While the boys prepare for the tournament, Abougouche said he’s proud of all of the players for giving it a shot.
”All of the Panther boys who tried out for the team definitely did themselves proud. They put in a very solid effort and gave themselves a chance to be on the team. I’m proud of them all, the ones who made it and the ones who didn’t, they can all hold their heads high.”
