These last two weeks have been a whirlwind for Shawn Parkinson.
Having suited up as an affiliated player with the Victoria Grizzlies of the sa国际传媒 Hockey League for the past two weeks, the 17-year-old netminder returned to the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League this week, only to be traded from the Peninsula Panthers to the Westshore Wolves.
Ironically, the two teams met up Wednesday at The Q Centre where the Wolves pulled off a 7-2 victory over the visitors.
Parkinson dressed as the Wolves鈥� backup after earning a 4-4 tie in his one and only start for the Grizzlies in Port Alberni last Friday. Down 4-1 in that game, he managed to claw his way back making 40 saves in earning the point.
鈥淚t was a great experience,鈥� Parkinson said of his time with the Grizzlies.
鈥淭hat was probably the best defence I鈥檝e ever played behind.鈥�
With Peninsula, Parkinson appeared in 29 games for the Panthers this season with a record of just 4-14 with one shutout, a goals-against average of 5.06 and save percentage of .858. Last season, he was 5-11 in 19 outings with two shutouts, a 4.07 GAA and .871 save percentage.
Peninsula acquired goaltender Justin Anderson from the Victoria Cougars on Dec. 1 so it was obvious something would have to give, with goalie Liam Tutte also on hand. Parkinson was swapped Monday for future considerations, although his playing rights return to the Panthers next season.
鈥淲e liked Anderson and when the opportunity came up to acquire his rights, we decided to make the move,鈥� Panthers GM Pete Zubersky explained on the team鈥檚 website. 鈥淚t was clear to everyone including Anderson, Parkinson and Tutte that there was going to be another move and we did not want to wait until the trading deadline [Jan. 10].
鈥淲e wanted to make sure that everyone had a chair when the music stopped and still chase their individual goals and that had a lot to do with this deal. Shawn will still be able to compete to be a starter and we felt that he deserved to be able to do that as he has been in the league for two years and was a big part of our club over that time,鈥� added Zubersky. 鈥淲e really felt that this result was the best possible one for all three guys, including Shawn.鈥�
Parkinson knew something was coming.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 ask for a trade, but it sounded like something was going to happen. I had a suspicion,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 mind the deal. I feel like there鈥檚 a better defence in front of me, so that will be nice. I鈥檓 planning to compete for that starting position.鈥�
Jordan Spandli got the start on Wednesday and Brandon Tutte had two goals and three assists, while Eamon Duffy had two goals. Calijah Phillip, Parker Ellis and Joe Gage also scored for the Wolves. Holden Cochrane and Marshall Brown replied for the Panthers, while Liam Tutte took the loss in goal.
