New score clock installed at Eastlink Centre

The new score clock has been installed in the Eastlink Centre.

Here is a picture tweeted by @EastlinkCtrPEI on Twitter.

 

It is by far an improvement from the last score clock. With the Island Storm sharing the Eastlink Centre with the Charlottetown Islanders as its home, the score clock needed triple digits to accommodate basketball scores. Another nice feature is the ability for the clock to read "Islanders" and the opponent's team rather than "Home" and "Visitors."

The Islanders already have a 6-3 lead over someon , and looks to a penalty filled game with still a whole 59:54 of the game left to play!

McDonald a celebrity player for upcoming Jordan Boyd Celebrity Hockey Challenge

Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Mason McDonald will participate in the 2014 Jordan Boyd Celebrity Hockey Challenge.

The event will take place at the BMO Centre in Bedford, N.S. on Aug. 2.

McDonald is listed as a celebrity player along with NHL stars such as: Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Andrew Bodnarchuck (LA Kings), James Sheppard (San Jose Sharks), Shawn O'Donnell (New York Rangers) and Zach Sill (Pittsburgh Penguins).

Also playing as a celebrity player is McDonald's former teammate, Jake Brennan of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Jeff Marchand of the Saint Mary's Huskies and Darren Rumble will play as well.

Here is the schedule:

Group 1 Team Boyd Sedmha All Stars Rothesay Neterwood	Group 2 Cole Harbour All Stars Dads and Lads Blues Alumni
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.:	Team Boyd vs Dads and Lads
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.:	Sedmha All Stars vs Cole Harbour All Stars
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.:	Rothesay Neterwood vs Bedford Blues Alumni
2 p.m. - 3 p.m.:	Team Boyd vs Sedmha All Stars
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.:	Dads and Lads vs Rothesay Neterwood
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.:	Bedford Blues Alumni vs Cole Harbour All Stars
5 p.m. - 6 p.m.:	3rd place Group 1 vs 3rd place Group 2
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.:	2nd place Group 1 vs 2nd place Group 2
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.:	1st place Group 1 vs 1st place Group 2

Jordan Boyd passed away on Aug. 12, 2013 on the first day of Acadie-Bathurst Titan's training camp. It was a death that shocked the entire hockey community.

More information on the event can be found here.


#JB17

Islanders prospects to begin Under-17 Development Camp today

Three Charlottetown Islanders prospects will begin the National Under-17 Development Camp today at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary, Alta.

Mitchell Balmas, Ryan Brushett and Samuel Guilbault are the three Islanders prospects attending the camp. Balmas will be with Team Black, Brushett will be with Team Blue and Guilbault will be with Team White.

Balmas, 16, was selected seventh overall by the Islanders in the past QMJHL draft and scored 19 goals and 46 points in 29 games with the Cape Breton Tradesmen of the NSMMHL.

Brushett, 16, was selected in the sixth round, 97th overall by the Islanders in 2014. Brushett skated for the Lac St-Louis Lions of the QMAAA scoring 14 goals and 29 points in 42 games.

Guilbault, 16, was Charlottetown's second round, 24th overall selection in 2014. In 42 games with College Antoine-Girourard of the QMAAA, Guilbault scored 14 goals and 35 points.

Practices get underway at 10 a.m. MST (1 p.m. AST) and will run until 8:15 p.m. MST (11:15 p.m. AST). The first scrimmage will take place on Friday at 4:45 p.m. MST (7:45 p.m. AST) with Black versus Blue and then Green versus Gold at 7:30 p.m. MST (10:30 p.m. AST). The camp ends on Aug. 4.

The full schedule can be seen here. The full development camp roster can be seen here.

The 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will be hosted in Sarnia, Ont.

In the past, five teams represented Canada with Atlantic, Quebec, Pacific, Ontario and West. This year, three Canadian teams will join five international countries such as: Finland, Sweden, Russia, Slovakia and the U.S.A. The tournament opens Nov. 2 with the championship game being played on Nov. 8.

Ex-Rocket goalie signs with Quad City Mallards

Evan Mosher

Ex-P.E.I. Rocket goalie Evan Mosher has signed with the Quad City Mallards of the Central Hockey League today.

Mosher, now 23, spent three full seasons with the Rocket from 2008-11, and parts of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons. The Conception Bay South, N.L. native was selected in the fifth round by the Rocket back in 2006.

In 117 regular season games with the Rocket during his five-year QMJHL tenure, Mosher posted a 50-57 record with a 3.17 goals against average and a 0.902 save percentage. He had his best season in 2010-11 as an overeager, playing in 57 games, posting a 25-31 record with a 2.79 goals against average and a 0.918 save percentage.

The last three seasons, Mosher played with Acadia University of the CIS. This past season, the five-foot-11, 176-pound frame posted a 2.12 goals against average and a 0.919 save percentage in 22 games, posting a 17-5 record.

In a team press release, Mallards General Manager Terry Ruskowski said Mosher is very good young goaltender coming off a great season in college hockey.

"He’s an exciting prospect and has had a lot of success both in junior and at Acadia and has the potential to make the next step.”

Pelletier to play with Campbellton Tigers next season

Robert Pelletier

Charlottetown Islanders forward Robert Pelletier will play for the Campbellton Tigers of the MHL for the upcoming 2014-15 season.

The Campbellton Tigers tweeted the news this afternoon.

@TigerHockeyNews is pleased to announce the addition of @Rob_Pelletier for the 2014-2015 Season. #character pic.twitter.com/cbrff8OUKG
— Campbellton Tigers (@TigerHockeyNews) July 16, 2014

The 20-year-old Dalhousie, N.B. native was acquired from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on deadline day for a ninth-round pick in 2014.

In 27 games with the Islanders, the five-foot-eight, 166-pound winger scored a goal while adding four assists with minus-14 rating and 23 penalty minutes.

Pelletier spent three seasons in the QMJHL playing 126 career regular-season games with Gatineau, Acadie-Bathurst and Charlottetown, scoring 15 goals and 41 points.

Islanders name MacKinnon captain; Johnston assistant captain

Ryan MacKinnon will be the captain of the Charlottetown Islanders this season, the team announced today at a press conference.

Charlottetown native Ross Johnston, 20, was named an assistant captain.

The two players were introduced to the public today. Both were acquired on May 30 in two separate deals.

"Ryan, he's a five-year pro. He's a captain. He's our captain," said Head Coach Gordie Dwyer on the 20-year-old defenceman.

Prior to being traded to the Islanders, MacKinnon was captain of the Rimouski Oceanic last season scoring four goals and 22 points in 66 games.

Johnston was acquired from the Victoriaville Tigres for Victoriaville's first-round pick in 2015.

"I'm really proud to be playing in Charlottetown for my last year," said Johnston.

"We're both looking forward to this great upcoming season," added MacKinnon.

Dwyer described Johnston as a big power forward.

"He just came back from development camp in Phoenix. He has a bright future in hockey."

Johnston scored 10 goals and 25 points in 60 games with Victoriaville last season.

Islanders General Manager Grant Sonier also announced that U.S. draftees Hunter Luhmann, Ace Cowans and Frank Sullivan should be attending training camp in August.

Photo credit: @IslandersHKY

Ex-Rocket defenceman signs with Bern

Marc-Andre Gragnani in action with the Buffalo Sabres.

Former P.E.I. Rocket defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani has signed with Bern of the National League 'A' in Germany today.

The 27-year-old, Montreal, Que. native played four seasons with the P.E.I. Rocket from 2003-2007. In 256 career regular-season QMJHL games with the Rocket, Gragnani scored 50 goals and 193 points, while picking up 223 penalty minutes.

After his playing time in the QMJHL, Gragnani played six seasons in the American Hockey League with the Rochester Americans, Portland Pirates and the Charlotte Checkers. He amassed 50 goals and 234 points in 325 career regular-season AHL games. He was awarded the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL's Best Defenceman in 2010-11 while playing for the Portland Pirates. The same year, Gragnani led the league in points by a defenceman with 60.

Gragnani has also spent his fair share of time in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes, scoring three goals and 18 points in 75 career NHL games.

Last season, Gragnani played with HC Lev Praha of the KHL scoring two goals and nine points in 42 games.

Vance, Lagace to attend Dallas Stars' development camp

Troy Vance. Charlottetown Islanders photo.

Former Charlottetown Islanders players, Troy Vance and Maxime Lagace, will attend the development camp of the Dallas Stars.

The camp begins today and goes until July 12.

Vance, 20, was drafted in the fifth round, 135th overall in 2011 by the Dallas Stars and played a season and a half with the P.E.I. Rocket and Islanders. Acquired from Victoriaville in the 2012-13 season, the Goshen, N.Y. native scored a goal and eight points in 28 games. Last season with the Islanders, Vance scored eight goals and 29 points in 59 games, while adding a goal and three points in four playoff games.

Lagace, 21, played three full seasons with the P.E.I. Rocket from 2010 to 2013. The Rocket drafted Lagace in the second round in 2010. In three seasons with the Rocket, the Longueuil, Que. native posted a 33-56 record in 107 games with a 4.23 goals against average and a 0.870 save percentage. The Dallas Stars signed Lagace as a free agent in 2012 after going undrafted.

The two join fellow QMJHLer Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceaic.

Three Islanders players named to CSS futures list

Daniel Sprong scores a playoff goal against Halifax.

Three Charlottetown Islanders skaters have been named in the Central Scouting Services futures list for the 2015 NHL Draft.

The list was released today on the NHL's website and it consists of forwards Kameron Kielly and Daniel Sprong, along with defenceman David Henley.

Sprong, 17, had a fantastic rookie season scoring 30 goals and 68 points in 67 games after being selected 13th overall by the Islanders at the 2013 QMJHL Draft.

Kielly, 17 (but 1996-born), was ineligible for this past NHL draft due to having a December birthday. The Charlottetown native put up 10 goals and 31 points in 66 games during his sophmore season.

Henley, 17, was acquired by the Islanders on deadline day for fellow defenceman Ryan Graves. In 25 games with the Islanders, the six-foot-four, 181-pound frame scored two goals and four points for a total of three goals and eight points in 60 games split between Charlottetown and Val-d'Or.

Islanders 2014 Import Pick, Filip Chlapik, was also named on the international futures list. The Islanders picked Chlapik with the 11th overall Import selection last Wednesday from the Sparta of the Czech league.

Charlottetown and the Erie Otters (OHL) are the only teams with three players listed.

The full list can be seen here.

Johnston to attend Arizona Coyotes' development camp

Charlottetown Islanders forward Ross Johnston will attend the development camp of the Arizona Coyotes.

On-ice sessions for the development will begin tomorrow and will run until July 11 at the Ice Den in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Johnston, 20, officially joined the Islanders on May 30 when he was acquired from the Victoriaville Tigres for Victoriaville's first-round draft pick in 2015.

The Charlottetown native scored 10 goals and 25 points in 60 games last season with the Tigres.

Johnston joins former teammate and former Islanders forward, Yan Pavel Laplante at the development. Also attending the camp from the QMJHL are Justin Hache (Cape Breton) and Laurent Dauphin (Chicoutimi).

Ex-Rocket to attend Nashville Predators development camp

Jimmy Oligny as a member of the Rimouski Oceanic.

 Former P.E.I. Rocket defenceman Jimmy Oligny will attend the Nashville Predators' development camp.

The camp begins today and runs until Saturday, July 12.

Oligny, was only a member of the Charlottetown Islanders during the name change before he was traded in July, 2013 to the Rimouski Oceanic.

The Rocket drafted Oligny seventh overall in 2009. Oligny played four seasons with the Rocket scoring 22 goals, 65 assists for 87 points in 241 career games.

Last season with the Oceanic, the St-Michel, Que. native scored seven goals and 36 ponits in 61 games while adding another three goals and eight points in 10 playoff games.

Oligny joins fellow QMJHLers Frederick Gaudreau (Drummondville), Felix Girard (Baie-Comeau) and Tommy Veilleux (Victoriaville) at the development camp.

McDonald invited to Calgary Flames' development camp

Mason McDonald. Getty Images.

Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Mason McDonald has been invited to Calgary Flames' development camp.

The development camp begins Saturday, July 5 at WinSport Arena in Calgary, Alta. and will run until Wednesday, July 9.

McDonald, an 18-year-old Halifax, N.S. native, was drafted 34th overall by the Calgary Flames this past weekend during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He was the first goalie selected.

According to the Calgary Flames press release, McDonald will wear No. 72 during the development camp.

McDonald joins fellow QMJHLers Brandon Vuic (Halifax), Ryan Culkin (Drummondville) and Emile Poirier (Gatineau).

Former Islanders goalie to attend Toronto Maple Leafs prospect camp

Former Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Antoine Bibeau will attend the prospect camp of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The prospect camp runs from July 7 to July 11 at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence in Toronto, Ont.

Bibeau, 20, spent two and a half seasons with the P.E.I. Rocket/Charlottetown Islanders before leading the Val-d'Or Foreurs to a Presidents Cup championship and a trip to Semi-Finals at the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament in London, Ont. The Victoriaville, Que. native was named goalie of the tournament after posting a 2.76 goals against average and a 0.932 save percentage.

Prior to heading to Val-d'Or last season, Bibeau posted an 8-16 record with the Islanders, along with a 3.29 goals against average and a 0.911 save percentage.

In two and half seasons in Charlottetown, Bibeau posted a combined 43-40 win-loss record in 101 games and a 3.52 goals against average and a 0.896 save percentage.

Bibeau was selected by Toronto in the sixth round, 172nd overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Leafs last month.

Islanders add Filip Rydstrom with 71st overall pick

The Charlottetown Islanders selected Swedish forward Filip Rydstrom with their final pick, 71st overall, during today's CHL Import Draft.

Rydstrom, who turns 18 on Aug. 7, has spent the last few seasons with Vallentuna BK in Sweden. In 24 games with Vallentuna BK J18, the six-foot-two, 196-pound centreman scored 27 goals for 74 points while putting up 128 penalty minutes. In 24 games with Vallentuna BK J20, Rydstrom scored 15 goals and 39 points while putting up 44 penalty minutes.

Full stats can be seen here.

Rydstrom joins Filip Chlapik, who the Islanders drafted today 11th overall.

Islanders select Filip Chlapik 11th overall

The Charlottetown Islanders have selected Czech Republic native Filipe Chlapik with their 11th overall selection in the 2014 CHL Import Draft today.

Chlapik, 17, last played for the HC Sparta in the Czech Republic scoring 16 goals and 35 points in 38 games.

The six-foot-one, 183-pound centreman also represented his native Czech Republic at the recent Under-18 World Championships in Finland, putting up one assist in seven games.

Click here, to see more if Chlapik's stats.

The Islanders will pick again at No. 71 in the second round.

Islanders picking 11th overall in Wednesday's CHL Import Draft

The 23rd annual Canadian Hockey League Import Draft will be taking place Wednesday July 2, 2014 at 12 p.m. EST, and the Charlottetown Islanders have the 11th overall pick.

The two-round draft will take place online with the order of selection rotating through each of the CHL’s three leagues using an inverse order of final regular season standings within each league from the 2013-14 season.  The OHL’s Sarnia Sting hold the number one pick, followed by the Quebec Remparts who acquired the second overall selection following a 2012 trade with the Sherbrooke Phoenix.  The WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes will select third overall.  Each team in the CHL is permitted to dress and play a maximum of two import players each season who are selected annually through the CHL Import Draft.

Charlottetown will pick again 72nd overall in the second and final round of the Import Draft.

Last year, the Islanders selected forward Marco Sedlar with their 33rd overall pick but was released after 11 games and scoring two goals.

This year's Import Draft order can be seen here.

Past Import Selections by Islanders/Rocket over the past 10 seasons.

Year	Franchise	Player	POS	Rd, Rnk	Hometown
2013	Charlottetown Islanders	Marco Sedlar	RW	1,33	Dingolfing, Germany
2011	P.E.I. Rocket	Tomas Pavelka	D	1,26	Czech Republic
2011	P.E.I. Rocket	Matej Beran	F	1,35	Czech Republic
2009	P.E.I. Rocket	Adam Polasek	D	1,19	Czech Republic
2009	P.E.I. Rocket	Lauri Tokoi	D	1,52	Finland
2008	P.E.I. Rocket	Simon Olsson	F	1,14	Sweden
2007	P.E.I. Rocket	Jan Kana	F	1,33	Czech Republic
2006	P.E.I. Rocket	Martin Latal	F	1,37	Czech Republic
2006	P.E.I. Rocket	Peter Cmorej	F	1,40	Slovakia
2005	P.E.I. Rocket	Anton Skorykh	F	1,14	Russia
2004	P.E.I. Rocket	Slava Trukhno	F	1,39	Russia

Ex-Rocket re-signs with ECHL's Wheeling Nailers

Former P.E.I. Rocket forward Patrick McGrath has re-signed with the Wheeling Nailers of the East Coast Hockey League for the upcoming season.

McGrath, 21, played with the Rocket in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, recording a goal and an assist and 229 penalty minutes in 72 career games.

The Wilkes-Barre, Pa. native spent last season with the Nailers, appearing in 45 games, collecting an assist with 176 penalty minutes.

Wheeling Nailers are the ECHL affiliate for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens.