Goulet gets invite to Habs camp

According to Stephane Leroux, Charlottetown Islanders forward Alexandre Goulet has been invited to the Montreal Canadiens development camp.

The 18-year-old forward went undrafted this weekend at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia, Pa.

Goulet, a native of Disreal, Que., scored 26 goals and 48 points in 66 games during his rookie seasons with the Islanders. He was ranked 65th among North American skaters.

Along with Goulet, three other QMJHL players received the invite as well, which were: Bokondji Imama (Baie-Comeau), Philippe Gadoury (Halifax), and Matthew Highmore (Saint John).

Photo credit: Darrell Theriault

NHL Draft Recap: McDonald taken; Goulet is not

Mason McDonald was the only Charlottetown Islanders player selected at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia, Pa. this weekend.

The six-foot-four Halifax, N.S. goaltender was the first goalie selected in the draft, going 34th overall to the Calgary Flames. 

Central Scouting had McDonald ranked second among North American goalies in the final rankings, and was the highest ranked CHL goalie.

In an interview with the Calgary Flames website, McDonald said it was an honour to be the first goalie selected.

"Not many guys can say that. It's great that it happened."

McDonald said he knew there was a chance he could be the first goalie selected, and when it happened, he was relieved of all the stress building up.

"I was sitting in the chair shaking. I was pretty nervous. Being picked by Calgary, I was pretty happy.”

Alex Goulet
Charlottetown Islanders forward Alexandre Goulet did not hear his name get called this weekend.

The 18-year-old Disrael, Que. native was ranked No. 65 in Central Scouting's final rankings. In 66 games in his rookie season with Charlottetown, Goulet scored 26 goals and 48 points.

It is unfortunate Goulet was not drafted, but there is always next year.

Alex Pepin
Former Charlottetown Islanders player, Alexis Pepin, was selected in the fourth round, 114th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche.

Pepin split the season with the Islanders and Gatineau Olympiques scoring 17 goals and 34 points in 60 games.

McDonald gets drafted by Calgary Flames

Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Mason McDonald was drafted in the second round, 34th overall, by the Calgary Flames this morning at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia, Pa.

McDonald, 18, was ranked No. 2 overall amongst North American goalies in Central Scouting's final rankings. The Halifax, N.S. native was the first goalie selected in the draft.

In 16 games with the Islanders, McDonald posted a 5-10 record with a 3.35 goals against average and a 0.907 save percentage.

McDonald also helped lead Team Canada to a Bronze Medal finish at the 2014 Under-18 Championships in Finland. In six games, McDonald went 4-2 posting a 1.75 goals against average and a 0.936 save percentage.

Islanders Country would like to congratulate McDonald on being drafted!

UPDATED: Islanders release 2014 pre-season schedule

The Charlottetown Islanders have released its 2014 pre-season schedule. The Islanders will play six exhibition games - three on the road and three at home.

Exhibiton action will start  Friday Aug. 15 in Moncton at 7 p.m., then a home game Saturday Aug. 16 against Acadie-Bathurst Titan at 3 p.m. Like the past several seasons, the home game is most likely to be played in Pownal as the Eastlink Centre will be used for Old Home Week.

The team is off playing for a week before the traveling to Bathurst on Friday Aug. 22. The Islanders will then play host to Moncton on Sunday Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. at the APM Centre in Cornwall.

On Friday Sept. 5, the Islanders travel to Saint John at 7:30 p.m. before hosting them the next night in Charlottetown at 7 p.m.

Training camp will open Aug. 11 in Pownal.

Schedule:
Friday Aug. 15, @ Moncton Wildcats, 7 p.m. - Red Ball Internet Centre
Saturday Aug. 16, vs. Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 3 p.m. - Pownal Sports Centre
Friday Aug. 22, @  Acadie-Bathurst Titan, 7:30 p.m. - K.C. Irving Regional Centre
Sunday Aug. 24, vs. Moncton Wildcats, 2 p.m. - APM Centre
Friday Sept. 5, @ Saint John Sea Dogs, 7:30 p.m. - Harbour Station
Saturday Sept. 6, vs. Saint John Sea Dogs, 7 p.m.- Eastlink Centre

Islanders selected in MHL Supplementary Draft

Four Charlottetown Islanders players were selected into the MHL from the QMJHL Supplementary Draft on Saturday in Summerside, P.E.I.

The draft took place prior to the MHL Entry Draft. The list of players chosen was released yesterday.

Mike DiPaolo, Julien Avon, Spenser Cobbold and Guillaume Rioux-Legault were selected.

DiPaolo, 20, was selected by the Campbellton Tigers. The six-foot-four, 215-pound Brantford, Ont. native had four assists with 165 penalty minutes in 51 games. He was signed as a free agent out of the Ontario Hockey League in October.

Avon, 19, was selected by the Pictou County Weeks Crushers. Avon was a trade deadline day acquisition  from Rouyn-Noranda. In 26 games with Charlottetown, the Candiac, Que. native scored a goal and added three assists. He finished the year with two goals and six points in 47 games split between Rouyn-Noranda and Charlottetown.

Pictou County also selected 19-year-old Spenser Cobbold (turning 20 in August). Cobbold was another free agent from the OHL that the Islanders signed in October. The Stittsville, Ont. native scored 14 goals and 30 points in 50 games.

Lastly, defenceman Guillaume Rioux-Legault was selected by the Yarmouth Mariners. The 19-year-old Longueuil, Que. native scored a goal and nine points in 62 games.

Marquee games for 2014-15

The start of the 2014-15 regular season is still three months away, but in looking at the schedule I have compiled a list of the 12 notable and must see games for this season.

The game dates are in chronological order.

Game 1: Friday Sept. 12, 2013, 7 p.m.
Season Home Opener
vs. Saint John Sea Dogs

Like every QMJHL and hockey fan, I am always excited for the first home game of the season.  The atmosphere of the rink, catching up with rink buddies and the introduction of the roster is always fun. This season the Islanders kick off the seas at home against the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Oliver Cooper, who the Islanders acquired on May 30 for two first-round picks, will make his Islanders debut against his former team, which he spent the last three seasons with. To add to that, fellow acquisitions Ross Johnston, Ryan MacKinnon and Dexter Weber will make their debut in the gold and black. Also, look for Mitchell Balmas and possibly some other 2014 Islanders to make their QMJHL draft. Sea Dogs' first overall pick Luke Green will also make his QMJHL debut.

With NHL camps just starting up, we could be expected to be without Mason McDonald. 

Game 2: Friday Sept. 19, 2014, 7 p.m.
First road game of the season
@ Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Just like 2013-14, the Charlottetown Islanders will play their first road game in Sydney, N.S. against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. The teams will play back-to-back games Friday and Saturday.

The Screaming Eagles are a much improved team this year and will be in competition with the Islanders for top spot in the Maritimes.

Mitchell Balmas will be playing at home for the first time in the QMJHL and current Islander Bradley Kennedy will get to play in front of his family and friends as well.

Game 3: Sunday Sept. 28, 2014, 3 p.m.
Bridge-rival Wildcats come to town
vs. Moncton Wildcats

It will be the first meeting of the season between the Islanders and the Moncton Wildcats. Games against the Wildcats are always fun to watch, no matter where either team is in the standings. Russian sensations Ivan Barbashev and Vladimir Tkachev will make their first of four trips to the Eastlink Centre this season.

The Wildcats have only won five times in Charlottetown over the last five years dating back to Rocket days. The Wildcats never won a game in Charlottetown during the entire 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. Moncton won two games in Charlottetown this past season.

Being a Sunday game, it would be great to see some Wildcats fans make the two-hour trip down. Its always fun talking and meeting new fans.

Game 4: Wednesday Oct. 1, 2014, 7 p.m.
Cooper makes first return to Harbour Station
@ Saint John Sea Dogs

You know for sure Oliver Cooper has this date marked off on his calendar. The 19-year-old will make his first trip back to Saint John, where he played three seasons after being drafted 19th overall in 2011.

The Fredericton native is going to be fired up for his return to Saint John and it will show on the ice. He will enemy No. 1 when he steps foot on Harbour Station ice.

Game 5: Friday Oct. 3, 2014, 7 p.m.
Defending champs come to town
vs. Val-d'Or Foreurs

The Islanders will get a taste of the 2014 QMJHL Champions less than a month into the season when they battle the Foreurs.

It is expected that the Foreurs will be without Anthony Mantha and former Islanders goalie Antoine Bibeau as both are expected to play in the AHL next season.  Former Rocket, Louick Marcotte will not be back as he was traded from Val-d'Or to Gatineau.

Like every season, it is always fun to see the defending champs come to town, only to see if they still have it in them to repeat or if they are back in the building process.

Game 6: Saturday Oct. 25, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Memorial Cup hosts come to town
vs. Quebec Remparts

Islanders fan will get their first look at the 2015 MasterCard Memorial Cup hosts, Quebec Remparts, when they visit the Eastlink Centre. The Remparts are always a good team and are always fun to watch when they come to town. We should expect the Remparts to be one of the best teams in the league this year and the Islanders should give them a good contest.

Game 7: Friday Oct. 31, 2014, 7 p.m.
Halloween with the Wildcats
@ Moncton Wildcats

The Charlottetown Islanders will make their first trip of the season to "Wildtown" to battle bridge-rival Moncton Wildcats. A Friday night should mark the perfect opportunity for Islanders fans to make the short trip over to cheer loud.

Dating back to Rocket years, the Islanders franchise has been pretty successful in Moncton over the past five years. Charlottetown has a 10-5-1-0 record at the Coliseum and their latest win was Feb. 28, 2014.

Game 8: Saturday Dec. 14, 2014
MacKinnon makes return to Rimouski
@ Rimouski Oceanic

Defenceman Ryan MacKinnon will make his first return to Rimouski. The former Oceanic captain spent the last three seasons with the Oceanic scoring 10 goals and 57 points in 188 games.

The Summerside, P.E.I. native served as an assistant captain in the 2012-13 season before wearing the 'C' in the recent 2013-14 season.

For any team, it's always special to see a former captain come back to play one last time.

Game 9: Wednesday Dec. 31, 2014, 3 p.m.
Literally last game of the year
@ Halifax Mooseheads

The Halifax Mooseheads will host the Charlottetown Islanders for an odd News Years Eve matinee game at 3 p.m. This is definitely something different for the Islanders/Rocket, as they have never played on Dec. 31.

Another reason for this is a must-watch game is because Halifax is a divisional rival. This is the perfect match-up to end the year 2014 and get ready for 2015. With the game during the Christmas break, it's another perfect opportunity for Islanders fans to make the three-and-a-half hour trip to the Metro Centre.

All 16 QMJHL teams play on New Years Eve.

Game 10: Saturday Jan. 17, 2015, 5 p.m. 
Johnston makes return to Victoriaville
@ Victoriaville Tigres

Ross Johnston will make his first trip back to Victoriaville since being traded at the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Johnston only spent one season with the Tigres and scored 10 goals and 25 points in 60 games last season. He served as an assistant captain and played half the season with former Islanders forward Yan Pavel Laplante.

Game 11:  Friday March 20, 2015
Last home game of the season
vs. Saint John Sea Dogs

Game No. 67 of the season but game No. 34 at home. For the third straight season, the Islanders will wrap up their home schedule against division rival Saint John.

The last home game of the season can play a big factor for any team, whether it's battling for playoff positioning, battling for home ice, or for team's who don't make the playoffs - last game in front of home fans until September.

Game 12: Saturday March 21, 2015, 4 p.m.
Last game of the season
@ Moncton Wildcats

For the first time in a couple of seasons, the Islanders will end the season on the road. This time, it's just the short drive to Moncton against the bridge rivals.

With a Saturday afternoon game, it's a great chance for Islanders fan to make the trip and cheer on their team.

In most recent years, most playoff positioning doesn't get determined until the last regular season game ends.

Shawinigan Cataractes will play two outdoor games in 2015

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is going to have its version of a “Winter Classic” this season.

It was announced today the Shawinigan Cataractes will host two outdoor games in late January.

The Cataractes will host the historic event at the large stands of the Western Festival in St-Tite, Que, which is approximately 25 kilometres north-east of Shawinigan.

The games will be played back-to-back on Friday Jan. 23, 2015 when the Cataractes play the Victoriaville Tigres, and Saturday Jan. 24, 2015 against the Quebec Remparts.

In a press release, QMJHL Commissioner Gilles Courteau said it is the first time QMJHL players will play outside.

“Outdoor games are great gathering events for a community and I’m sure the Shawinigan Cataractes, the oldest franchise in the League, will organize two great events. In addition, I would like to thank the Tigres and the Remparts who will collaborate in these inaugural games.”

The three organizations were present for the announcement this morning.

Handful of Islanders selected at MHL Draft

A number of Charlottetown Islanders players and prospects were selected at the 2014 MHL Draft in Summerside on Saturday.

Defenceman Duncan McKie was a territorial selection of the Valley Wildcats. McKie, 17, was a fourth-round pick by the Islanders in 2013.

Forward Keith Getson was a territorial selection of the Birdgewater Lumberjacks. Getson, 16, was recently drafted in the third round by the Islanders in the third round.

Andrew Dumaresque (Islanders 12, 205) was selected 10th overall by the Amherst Ramblers.

David Comeau (Islanders 11, 187) was selected in the second round, 18th overall by the Woodstock Slammers.

Brady Griffin-Hefford (Islanders 13, 223) was selected in the fifth round, 49th overall by the St. Stephen County Aces.

Defenceman Luc Deschenes was selected in the fifth round, 57th overall by the Woodstock Slammers.

Curtis Scales was selected in the sixth round, 71st overall by the Miramichi Timberwolves.

McDonald invited to Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp

Mason McDonald

 Charlottetown Islanders goalie Mason McDonald was invited to the ninth annual Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp on Monday.

McDonald is among six goaltenders invited to the camp from the QMJHL. In total, 34 goaltenders were invited from across the CHL.

The camp takes place at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary, Alta. from June 11-14.

Ten goaltenders in the under-20 age category (candidates for Canada’s National Junior Team), eight in the under-18 category (candidates for Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team) and 16 under-17 goaltenders (candidates for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge) will get the opportunity to work with a number of instructors during the four-day camp. 

McDonald, 18, was a key acquisition by the Islanders during the Christmas trade period last season. The Halifax, N.S. native was acquired from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan and posted a 5-10 record in 16 games with the Islanders with a 3.35 goals against average and a 0.907 save percentage. He is the No. 2 ranked North American goaltender for the upcoming 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia, Penn.

Joining McDonald from the QMJHL are Philippe Desrosier (Rimouski Oceanic), Zachary Fucale (Halifax Mooseheads),  Julio Billia (Chicoutimi Sagueneens) and Olivier Tremblay (Rimouski Oceanic).

“There is tremendous goaltending talent in Canada, and we’re excited to bring Canada’s best young netminders to Calgary to work with some of the top instructors in the game,” said Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s senior director of hockey operations/national teams. “This camp is a fantastic opportunity for these goaltenders to prepare for international competition.”

The camp will include both on-ice and off-ice sessions for all three groups. The U18 and U20 netminders will be led by Fred Brathwaite (Hockey Canada) and Sean Burke (Hockey Canada), along with instructors Lyle Mast (Tri-City, WHL), Eric Raymond (Halifax, QMJHL), Michael Rioux (Rimouski, QMJHL), Dustin Schwartz (Edmonton, WHL) and Jimmy Waite (Chicoutimi, QMJHL).

Five members of the Hockey Canada goaltending advisory board will also work with the U18 and U20 groups: Corey Hirsch (Hockey Canada), Bill Ranford (Los Angeles, NHL), Brady Robinson (Victoria, WHL), Dwayne Roloson (Anaheim, NHL) and Rick Wamsley (Ottawa, NHL).

David Marcoux (Hockey Canada) will lead the U17 program on the ice, with assistance from coaches Ian Gordon (Seattle, WHL), and Andrew Verner (Peterborough, OHL).

Hockey Canada will also host 11 goaltending coaches nominated by their respective branches to take part in the on-ice and off-ice programming with the U17 goaltenders. In addition to the U17 camp activities, the 11 instructors will also be participating in a seminar aimed at providing them with the resources to deliver similar Program of Excellence goaltending camps at the branch level.

The camp will be open to the public, free of charge.

Three Islanders prospects invited to Team Canader Under-17 World Hockey Challenge development camp

Three Charlottetown Islanders prospects have been invited to Team Canada's development camp for the upcoming 2014 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.

The development camp runs from July 20 to Aug. 4 at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary, Alta.

All three players selected from the Islanders, were chosen in the recent 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Mitchell Balmas, Samuel Guilbault and Ryan Brushett  are among the 96 total skaters invited.

The roster includes 36 defencemen and 60 forwards.

The players invited to camp were selected by Ryan Jankowski, Hockey Canada's head scout of men's national teams, together with regional scouts Donald Audette (Quebec), Brad McEwen (West), Kevin Mitchell (Atlantic) and Darryl Woodley (Ontario) with input from Hockey Canada regional branch representatives. Players were evaluated throughout the season with their club teams, and at three regional under-16 events: the Western Canada U16 Challenge, OHL Gold Cup and QMJHL Excellence Challenge.

Balmas, 16, was selected seventh overall by the Islanders in the 2014 Draft just a week ago. The Sydney, N.S. native spent last season with the Cape Breton Tradesmen (5-26-0-3) of the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League, scoring 19 goals and 47 points in 29 games.

Guilbault, 16, was Charlottetown's second round, 24th overall selection. He last played with College Antoine-Girouard Gaulois of the QMAAA. In 42 games, the Varennes, Que. native scored 14 goals for 35 points.

Brushett, 15, was selected in the sixth round, 97th overall by the Islanders. The Verdun, Que. native played for the Lac St-Louis Lions of the QMAAA scoring 14 goals and 29 points in 42 games.

The development camp will serve as part of Canada’s new under-17 structure, focusing on player development. Scouts will continue to watch these players, along with other 1998-born players across the country, and 66 will be selected to represent Canada at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which is scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 8 in a yet-to-be-determined location. The tournament will be the first to feature three Canadian national teams (Black, Red and White). From 1986 to 2014, Canada was represented by five regional teams: Atlantic, Ontario, Pacific, Quebec and West.

“At Hockey Canada, we are very excited about the possibilities that lie ahead within our national teams with the changes we have instituted at the under-17 level,” said Scott Salmond, senior director, hockey operations with Hockey Canada. “It is our intention to identify potential national team players at an earlier age and have them play together more often.”

Canada’s national under-17 development camp roster, by branch:
B.C. Hockey – 8
Hockey Alberta – 13
Saskatchewan Hockey Association – 2
Hockey Manitoba – 5
Ontario Hockey Federation – 32
Hockey Eastern Ontario – 4
Hockey Quebec – 24
Hockey Newfoundland & Labrador – 2
Hockey Nova Scotia – 6

The 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will bring together the top players in the world born in 1998 or later. The under-17 program is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Many players who compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge go on to represent Canada with the National Men’s Under-18 Team, National Junior Team and National Men’s Team.

Since the first under-17 tournament (then known as the Quebec Esso Cup) in 1986, more than 1,300 NHL draft picks have played in the tournament, including 10 of the last 13 first-overall selections (Ilya Kovalchuk, 2001; Rick Nash, 2002; Marc-André Fleury, 2003; Alexander Ovechkin, 2004; Erik Johnson, 2006; Patrick Kane, 2007; John Tavares, 2009; Taylor Hall, 2010; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2011; Nathan MacKinnon, 2013).

Islanders 2014-15 schedule is here

The Charlottetown Islanders' 2014-15 regular season schedule is out.

The Islanders open the season on Friday Sept. 12 at home against the Saint John Sea Dogs. Recently acquired Islanders forward Oliver Cooper will get a taste of action against his old team in the first game of the season.

Like most recent season, the Islanders will play back-to-back home games on Friday and Saturday to open the season. On Saturday, Sept. 13, the Islanders host the Halifax Mooseheads. The season ends March 21 in Moncton for the Islanders.

Charlottetown first hits the road on Friday Sept. 19 to Cape Breton for back-to-back games Friday and Saturday against the Screaming Eagles.

Here are some dates to note on your calendar:
-First game against bridge-rival Moncton Wildcats is Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. in Charlottetown
-First game in Moncton is Friday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
-Islanders host the defending Presidents Cup champions Val-d'Or Foreurs on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
-Ross Johnston will make his return to Victoriaville on Saturday, Jan. 17.
-Ryan MacKinnon will make his first trip back to Rimouski on Sunday, Dec. 14.
-Dexter Weber will make his first trip back to Drummondville on Sunday, Nov. 9.
-Oliver Cooper will make his return to Saint John on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
-Former Islander Kevin Laliberte back in town on Sunday, Nov. Nov. 16.

Full schedule can be seen here.

Statement on Moncton shooting

Islanders Country would like to send their deepest sympathies and condolences to the families affected by the recent shooting in Moncton, N.B.

We would also like to send our thoughts and prayers to the residents of Moncton, the RCMP members and families, and the Moncton Wildcats organization. Please stay safe, stay inside and keep your doors locked.

Former Islanders goalie Bibeau signs ELC with Toronto Maple Leafs

Antoine Bibeau played two and half seasons in Charlottetown.

Former Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Antoine Bibeau signed an entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Senior Vice President and General Manager David Nonis announced yesterday.

Bibeau, 20, wrapped up his third full QMJHL season splitting the season with the Charlottetown Islanders and Val-d’Or Foreurs. He helped Val-d’Or win the Presidents Cup before being eliminated in the semi-finals to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Memorial Cup.

The Victoriaville, Que. native was recently named the Outstanding Goaltender of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup and was selected to the tournament’s All-Star Team. In four Memorial Cup games, Bibeau posted a 2.76 goals against average and a 0.932 save percentage with one shutout – earned in a 51-save effort on opening night against London.

Antoine Bibeau in action with Charlottetown.

In the QMJHL playoffs, Bibeau became the first goaltender since Jonathan Bernier in 2007 to be awarded the Guy Lafleur trophy as the playoff’s Most Valuable Player. Overall in the playoffs, the six-foot-two, 210-pound goaltender posted a 16-8 record with a 2.80 goals against average and a 0.913 save percentage with one shutout.

Bibeau was originally selected in the sixth round, 172nd overall by the Leafs in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.