Glace Bay Panthers hope success in first half of season continues with Panther Classic title

‘It takes an army to be successful’Published Dec 03, 2025Last updated 48 minutes ago6 minute readBrody Walker of the Glace Bay Panthers keeps a close eye on the play during Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at Miners Forum in Glace Bay last Sunday. Walker and the Panthers will host the Panther Classic high school hockey tournament this week in Glace Bay. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST Jeremy FraserArticle contentIt’s not very often a player can say they played their first game with a new team during the school’s most important tournament of the year.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentIn the case of Brody Walker, the Glace Bay Panthers forward made his high school debut last December in the first game of the annual Panther Classic tournament in Glace Bay.Article contentArticle content“It’s really hard to describe the crowd and how the whole community came together for it,” said Walker.Article contentThe Glace Bay product had just joined the Panthers program after starting the 2024-25 season with the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush of the Nova Scotia Under-18 Major Hockey League before electing to return to high school hockey.Article content“I remember the first game well as we won big but the highlight of the night for sure was the crowd. I knew I made the right choice coming home to play after that game.”Article contentWhile this year’s Panther Classic will be his second and final host tournament, it will be extra special for the 17-year-old Walker as he was named the team’s captain last week, wearing the ‘C’ on his jersey for the first time last Friday night against Riverview.Article content“It means a lot to me to be named captain of the team and to be able to be a leader and a guy that the team can rely on and look for anything,” said Walker. “When you’re the captain of your high school team, it’s a lot more of a job than just your time at the rink.Article contentArticle content“You need to be there for your guys at all times and set an example. I’m proud to represent the school and be one of many great captains Glace Bay High has had.”Article content Brody Walker of the Glace Bay Panthers was named the team’s captain last week. He’s currently second in Cape Breton High School Hockey League scoring with seven goals and 25 points in 10 regular season games. Photo by Jeremy Fraser /Cape Breton PostArticle contentArticle contentPANTHER CLASSIC OPENS THURSDAYArticle contentThis year’s Panther Classic will kick off on Thursday and run until Sunday at Miners Forum in Glace Bay.Article contentAlong with the host Panthers, the four-day event will feature the Sydney Academy Wildcats, Riverview Ravens, Memorial Marauders, Strait Area Education Recreation Centre Saints (SAERC) of Port Hawkesbury, Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars (CEC) of Truro, Halifax West Warriors and Avon View Avalanche of Windsor.Article contentHalifax West, Avon View and CEC were also in the Panther Classic last December. The Warriors defeated the Cougars 5-2 in the championship game to claim the tournament title.Article contentHalifax West is in sixth place in the Halifax Metro High School Hockey League with a 6-6-0-0 record while Avon View is in first place in the Valley High School Hockey League with a 6-0-0-0 record and are coming off winning the Birthplace of Hockey tournament title last month.Article contentCEC is in first place in the Northern Nova Scotia High School Hockey League with a 6-1-0-0 record. SAERC, a Division 2 team, is first overall in the six-team Cape Breton West High School Hockey League with a 4-0-0-0 record.Article contentGlace Bay will open the tournament against Sydney Academy on Thursday at 8 p.m. The Panthers and Wildcats played last Sunday at Miners Forum with Glace Bay winning the game 9-1.Article contentPanthers head coach Ken Tracey has been pleasantly surprised with his team early in the season, given the fact that most of the players are new to the program.Article content“We’re relatively new and young but the guys are buying into what we’re trying to sell here in terms of structure and systems and to date we’ve had pretty good success,” said Tracey, who served as an assistant coach with the program in the early 2000s before returning to the program’s bench this year.Article contentArticle contentSTRONG SEASON SO FARArticle contentThe Panthers have had plenty of success early in the 2025-26 season. The team sits in first place in the four-team Cape Breton High School Hockey League with a 7-2-1-0 record and captured the Blue and White Challenge title last month in Membertou.Article contentGlace Bay also secured a spot in the semifinal game at the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament in North Sydney last month, losing to the host Memorial.Article contentThe team hasn’t had a problem finding the back of the net in the first half of the year. The club leads the league with 72 goals, 22 of those scored by league leader Carson Hogan.Article content“Carson can certainly put the puck in the net, and Brody (Walker) is the same way,” said Tracey. “We have great leadership in the room, and these guys offensively are certainly a threat for sure.”Article contentGoing into the Panther Classic, Walker said the team’s scoring depth will be one of the keys to success.Article contentArticle content“Last month in the Blue and White Challenge, a lot of people stepped up, and all 19 guys were going,” said Walker. “We realized that it takes an army to be successful and it’s important that we carry that into the weekend.”Article content Brody Walker of the Glace Bay Panthers, left, chips the puck into the offensive zone during Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at Miners Forum in Glace Bay last Sunday. This year’s Panther Classic will be Walker’s last as he will be graduating in June. Photo by Jeremy Fraser /Cape Breton PostArticle content‘COMPETE FOR THREE PERIODS’Article contentIndividual-wise, Walker sits second in league scoring with seven goals and 25 points in 10 games, only behind Hogan, who has 35 points in 10 regular season games.Article content“I try not to worry about points and individual success, but it’s always nice to know you’re doing well and being one of the top guys in the league,” said Walker, who prior to being named captain served as an assistant captain to begin the season.Article content“I’ve felt a lot more confident on the ice this season and I feel in much better shape as it was a hard-working offseason for me preparing for my Grade 12 year. It helps for sure that I get to play with skilled teammates who have no issues putting the puck in the net.”Article contentAfter their tilt against Sydney Academy, Glace Bay will continue the round robin portion of the tournament on Friday at 8 p.m., against CEC before facing SAERC at 7 p.m., on Saturday.Article content“The team needs to compete for 45 minutes and really buy into our systems,” said Walker. “We are a team that has no issues putting the puck in the net, but we need to realize that we have to cover 200 feet of the ice. We need to compete just as hard in all three zones and compete for three periods.”Article contentThe tournament semifinal games are scheduled for Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The championship game will be played later in the day at 2:30 p.m.Article contentGlace Bay has won the Panther Classic seven times (2023, 2017, 2008, 2006, 1999, 1998 and 1997) since the tournament began in 1997.Article contentArticle contentPANTHER CLASSIC SCHEDULEArticle contentHosted by: Glace Bay High School Location: Miners Forum, Glace Bay Teams: Glace Bay Panthers, Sydney Academy Wildcats, Riverview Ravens, Memorial Marauders, Strait Area Education Recreation Centre Saints, Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars, Avon View Avalanche and Halifax West WarriorsArticle contentArticle contentThursdayArticle content6 p.m. – Riverview vs. Memorial 8 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Sydney AcademyArticle contentFridayArticle content2 p.m. – Sydney Academy vs. Strait Area Education Recreation Centre 4 p.m. – Riverview vs. Halifax West 6 p.m. – Memorial vs. Avon View 8 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Cobequid Educational CentreArticle contentSaturdayArticle content9 a.m. – Avon View vs. Halifax West 11 a.m. – Strait Area Education Recreation Centre vs. Cobequid Educational Centre 1 p.m. – Memorial vs. Halifax West 3 p.m. – Sydney Academy vs. Cobequid Educational Centre 5 p.m. – Riverview vs. Avon View 7 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Strait Area Education Recreation CentreArticle contentSundayArticle content9 a.m. – Semifinal Game 11 a.m. – Semifinal Game 2:30 p.m. – Championship GameArticle contentArticle contentPREVIOUS CHAMPIONSArticle content2024 – Halifax West WarriorsArticle content2023 – Glace Bay PanthersArticle content2022 – Cobequid Educational Centre CougarsArticle content2021 – Halifax West WarriorsArticle content2019 – Auburn Drive EaglesArticle content2018 – Riverview High SchoolArticle content2017 – Glace Bay PanthersArticle content2015 – Memorial MaraudersArticle content2014 – Riverview High SchoolArticle content2013 – Riverview High SchoolArticle contentNote: The tournament was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as 2016 due to the work-to-rule job action.Article contentArticle contentPANTHER CLASSIC COVERAGEArticle contentFor daily results and pictures from the Panther Classic high school hockey tournament, visit capebretonpost.com each night.Article content