HOCKEY OWNERSHIP HAS ITS OWN REWARDS – Ex Cougar Penney Enjoying Peninsula Panther’s Success
By Cleve Dheensaw, Times Colonist
.
Jackson Penney has done just about everything in a hockey career that has taken him from high-scoring WHL junior with the Victoria Cougars to the national team to a pro career in the IHL, ECHL, Germany and off-ice as coach and immediate past general manager of the BCHL Victoria Grizzlies.
Having a financial stake in matters changes perspectives dramatically. For players, coaches, trainers and managers, it’s a job or development opportunity, depending on the level. For owners, it’s a business.
You can find Jackson, joined by wife Charity Penney and daughters Brianna, 14, and Ashley, 12, at the ticket windows, concession table and just about anywhere else where tasks need doing during home games at the Panorama Leisure Centre.
“It’s a family-run business and everyone is involved,” said Penney.
“We really enjoy doing it. I leave Geoff [head coach Geoff Grimwood, hired after three seasons as assistant coach of the Island League’s Cougars] alone in on-ice matters and recruiting. And he’s done a fantastic job, and that’s made it easier for me to concentrate on the other stuff involved in operating a hockey team.”
As a player, Penney always watched, listened to and analyzed what was going on around him.
“I learned from being around the game all my life. Although every owner or ownership group I played for was different, I learned a little bit from each of them,” he said.
Penney would not disclose how much he paid for the team when the Wilson family decided to sell this year, but allowed that it’s “a major thing.”
“It’s more an investment we've made for the long term. I was looking for a way to stay in the game for as long as I can,” he said.
The Panthers alumni list, impressive for Junior B, includes rookie find Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, defenceman Ryan O’Byrne of the Montreal Canadiens, Mike Hamilton and Vancouver Canucks prospect Taylor Ellington, both of the Victoria Salmon Kings, Kelly Cup champion Spencer Carbery and Maple Leafs minor-pro-system player Greg Scott.
The club has a following on the Peninsula and Sidney and that made the business decision easier for Penney.
“This team has its own stand-alone identity out here on the Peninsula and has great fan support,” noted Penney.
“It’s always been a solid organization and I hope to continue that by helping the players develop and move the kids on to the next level so they can carry on in their careers. That’s what we’re here for.”
Doing that from the top of the standings doesn’t hurt, either.
