Octavian Lacatusu
Black Press
Everyone has some kind of stress reliever; for some, it’s jogging, others, it’s reading or doodling something in a notebook.
For local Peninsula Panthers Junior Hockey player Koby Hale, it’s hockey.
Hale, now in his third year with the Panthers, started playing minor hockey at age six, quickly getting a feel for the game. At 15, he got affiliated with the Panthers, and at 17, he got signed on, getting to play all 10 games, including playoffs.
Having begun his first year at University of Victoria in pursuit of a career in mechanical engineering, it’s gotten tougher to fit hockey into his schedule, yet he still enjoys it.
“For me hockey is a real nice stress reliever,” Hale said. “I have so much fun playing it that I forget about everything. Hanging out with my team and working hard, it’s nice.”
His favourite moment so far was last year when the Panthers beat the West Shore Wolves in the playoffs.
“In my first year we didn’t really make the playoffs, so it was cool moving on to the next round, and we actually made it to the finals against the Cougars,” he said. “The whole playoff experience last year was really cool.”
Hale pointed out that his coaches and fellow team mates helped a lot in keeping him inspired and maintained his love for hockey.
“It’s easy making friends you’ll have for a long time,” Hale said. “This league is such a good league because it’s on the Island and you know all the guys you play against.”
He’s certainly trying to make the most of it, as he has one more year with the Panthers left to go.
And as far as the future is concerned, he’s excited about his four year university program.
“I’ve always been good at math and I like to figure out how stuff works… seemed like a good choice to get into.”
