Chlapik named to Senators rookie camp roster

Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Charlottetown Islanders forward Filip Chlapik was named to Ottawa Senators' rookie camp roster last Thursday.

The Senators are taking part in a four-team round-robin tournament from Sept. 11-13 at the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont.

Chalpik was Ottawa's second round, 48th overall pick at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Fla., back in June.

The Prague, Czech Republic native was Charlottetown's 11th overall choice in the 2014 CHL Import Draft and scored 33 goals and 75 points in 64 games. His 33 goals and 75 points set new franchise records for most goals and points by a rookie in a season.

Ottawa plays its first game Friday Sept. 11 at 7:35 p.m., against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The following day, the Chlapik and the Senators will face-off against Daniel Sprong and the Pittsburgh Penguins at 4 p.m. Ottawa wraps up the tournament Sunday Sept. 13 against the Montreal Canadiens at 4 p.m.

Henley named to Buffalo Sabres Prospect Challenge roster

David Henley. Photo by Kaitlin Arseneault.

Charlottetown Islanders defenceman David Henley has been named to Buffalo Sabres' 2015 Prospects Challenge Roster.

Former Islanders captain Jack Nevins has also been named to the roster.

The Prospects Challenge takes place from Sept. 11-14 at the First Niagara Center and Harborcenter in Buffalo, N.Y. The Sabres, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils will compete in a round-robin challenge. Each team plays two games.

Henley, 18, went undrafted at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft but participated in Buffalo's rookie camp in July. The native of Val-d'Or, Que., was originally an eighth overall pick by the Val-d'Or Foreurs in 2013. He had two goals and six points in 64 games last season with the Islanders.

Nevins, 21, was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres from the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL's trade deadline last season. He was pointless but recorded 88 penalty minutes in 32 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs and played 13 games with the Rochester Americans and recorded 10 penalty minutes.

The native of Stittsville, Ont., was a free agent pickup by the P.E.I. Rocket in 2012-13 and scored eight goals and 15 points in 51 games. The following season with the Islanders, he had 14 goals and 36 points in 41 games before being traded to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies where he added five more goals and 12 points in 23 games.

Buffalo's first game of the Prospect Challenge is Saturday Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. ADT against the New Jersey Devils at the First Niagara Centre. The second game is Sunday Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. from Harborcenter against the New Jersey Devils. On Monday Sept. 14, the Sabres will take on the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. from the First Niagara Centre.

Buffalo's full Prospect Challenge roster can be seen here.

Ex-Rocket Lapierre signs in Sweden

A former P.E.I. Rocket forward signed in Sweden, according to reports.

Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports tweeted Tuesday morning that former Montreal/P.E.I. Rocket forward Maxim Lapierre has signed with Modo Hockey of the Swedish Hockey League.

Maxim Lapierre signed a one year contract with Modo in Sweden. He has an option for a 2nd season. #tvasports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 1, 2015

Lapierre, 30, played one full season with the Montreal Rocket and two full seasons with the team in Charlottetown.

In 2002-03, he played nine games with the Rocket and collected two goals. The following season, the St-Léonard, Que., native scored 22 goals and 43 points in 72 games.

With the franchise in P.E.I., Lapierre scored 50 goals and 113 points in 136 games.

Since the Rocket, Lapierre has appeared in 614 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and the Pittsburgh Penguins and has amassed 65 goals and 139 points. He has also skated in 129 games in the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs and scored 31 goals and 74 points.

Islanders wrap-up pre-season with 4-3 win over Remparts in The Maggies

David Henley's goal 3:07 into the third period stood as the winner as the Charlottetown Islanders hung on for a 4-3 win over the Quebec Remparts Sunday at the Coliée Albin-Aucoin on the Magdalen Islands.

Charlottetown finishes a perfect pre-season after five games. The Remparts finished 1-4-1-0.

Bradley Kennedy opened the scoring for the Islanders with a power play marker at 14:41 of the first period with his second of exhibition play. Kameron Kielly and Filip Chlapik drew assists.

Oliver Cooper then gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead at 18:16 with his first of the pre-season. Kennedy and Dexter Weber drew assists.

In the second period, the Remparts cut the lead in half with Matthew Boucher scoring at 7:45 with Matt Murphy drawing the lone assist.

Quebec then tied the game at 12:28 off the stick of Massimo Carozza. Zachary Moody and Boucher drew assists.

Charlottetown regained the lead at 16:47 with Shawn Boudrias' second goal of the pre-season. The goal was unassisted.

The Remparts tied it up at 17:02 with an unassisted marker from Justin Samson.

Alexandre Goulet drew the lone assist on Henley's third period winner.

Matthew Welsh made 26 saves in the winning cage for Charlottetown. Justin Galloway made 20 saves in the loss for Quebec.

The Islanders open the 2015-16 season at home on Sept. 11 against the Saint John Sea Dogs at 7 p.m. AST.

Note: Boxscore on QMJHL site was not updated until Monday evening.

Sprong's hat-trick leads Islanders to 4-1 pre-season win over Remparts

Daniel Sprong scored a hat-trick to lead the Charlottetown Islanders to a 4-1 pre-season win over the Quebec Remparts Friday night at Centre Albin-Aucoin on the Magdalen Islands.

The Islanders are undefeated through four pre-season games as the Remparts are 1-3-1-0.

Sprong opened the scoring at the 9:49 of the first period with a power play marker for his third goal of the pre-season. Bradley Kennedy drew the lone assist.

Just 13 seconds later, Kennedy gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead with Alexandre Goulet and Dexter Weber drawing assists.

In the second period, the Remparts cut the lead in half with Ryan McReynolds scoring at 10:06. Derek Gentile and Aaron Dutra drew assists.

Sprong re-gained the two-goal lead for Charlottetown with his second of the game at 12:51. Dexter Weber and Mitchell Balmas drew assists.

In the third period, Sprong added his third of the game and fifth of the pre-season to give the Islanders a 4-1 lead on the power play at 11:59. Goulet and Kennedy drew assists.

Mason McDonald made 18 saves in the win for Charlottetown. Callum Booth took the loss for Quebec making 27 saves.

The two teams play again Sunday Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. ADT from the Magdalen Islands.

Sprong signs entry-level contract with Penguins

Daniel Sprong. Photo by Darrell Theriault

Charlottetown Islanders forward Daniel Sprong signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.

The 18-year-old, Amsterdam, Netherlands native was Pittsburgh's first pick at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft at 46th overall.

Sprong led the Islanders in scoring last season with 39 goals and 88 points in 68 games. He added seven goals and 11 points in 10 playoff games.

Charlottetown drafted Sprong 13th overall in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft. In two seasons with the Islanders, Sprong has collected 69 goals and 156 points in 135 regular season games.

The six-foot, 185-pound winger will suit up for the Penguins in the rookie tournament that takes places in London, Ont., from Sept. 10-13.

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In the meantime, the current URL of the site will remain the same and won't change over until the new site is ready to go.

I am hoping to have the new site launched before the first game of the season.

Thanks for reading Islanders Country!

Ex-Rocket signs in LNAH

A former Rocket defenceman signed with the Thetford Mines Assurancia of the LNAH on Thursday.

Steve Pelletier, 32, will suit up for the semi-pro club in Quebec.

The native of St-Jerome, Que., played 28 games with the Montreal Rocket and then 55 games as the P.E.I. Rocket during its first season on the Island. He totaled 10 goals and 46 points.

Prior to playing with the Rocket, Pelletier played with Quebec Remparts and Val-d'Or Foreurs. He was originally a fifth round pick by the Foreurs in 2000.

Pelletier has spent the last eight seasons playing in Europe with leagues in the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Austria. He last played with Neumarkt/Egna in Italy and scored 11 goals and 42 points in 39 games.

Pair of Islanders named to Penguins rookie tournament roster

Daniel Sprong. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

A pair of Charlottetown Islanders forwards have been named to Pittsburgh Penguins' Rookie Tournament roster.

Daniel Sprong and Kameron Kielly will take part in the rookie tournament that takes place Sept. 10-13 in London, Ont.

Sprong, 18, was Pittsburgh's first selection in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft at 46th overall in the second round. The native of Amsterdam, Netherlands has led the Islanders in scoring for the past two seasons and had 39 goals and 88 points in 68 games last season.

Kielly, 18, went undrafted this Summer at the NHL Draft. The Charlottetown native scored 16 goals and 49 points in 67 games last season.

A total of four players from the QMJHL were named to the roster. Full roster can be seen here.

The Penguins play its first game on Friday Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. EDT against the Montreal Canadiens and then play the Ottawa Senators the next day at 4 p.m. EDT. Pittsburgh wraps up the tournament Sunday Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. EDT against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Islanders set final roster for 2015-16 campaign

Daniel Sprong takes a shot on Cape Breton goalie Kyle Jessiman
moments before Filip Chlapik scored on a rebound in a game
on Aug. 21, 2015 in Pownal. Photo by Kevin Reid.

The Charlottetown Islanders set its final roster for the 2015-16 season on Monday.

The 23-man roster consists of three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards.

Prior to naming its roster, the Islanders sent defencemen Domink Reid, Lucas Sangster and Pierre-Olivier Joseph back to their respective clubs along with forwards Brady Griffin-Hefford, Kyler Carter and Johnny Foley.

In a team press release, Islanders General Manager Grant Sonier said the team was extremely excited from what they saw from the prospects during training camp.

“These decisions have made made today based on league rules, as we would have loved to have more time to watch and evaluate these players further.”

Sonier also added it is always a difficulty day to deliver bad news to “really great kids.”

“They have done everything we have asked of them and we appreciate their hard work in the off season and over the last three weeks. Most if not all of these prospects are expected to wear our jersey at some point this season, with some to be recalled sooner than later.”

Islanders trim training camp roster by four

The Charlottetown Islanders released four players from training camp on Monday.

Forward Brady Griffin-Hefford and Kyler Carter along with defencemen Lucas Sangster and Dominik Reid were the four players released.

Griffin-Hefford, 18, was a 13th round pick of the Islanders in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft and attended his second training camp this season. It is most likely he will play junior A with the St. Stephen County Aces who owns his rights.

Carter, 17, attended his first QMJHL camp this Summer as he was a free agent signing last season. Last season he played two games with the Islanders and 15 games with the Summerside Western Capitals of the MHL. He is expected to join the Capitals.

Sangster, 18, was a fifth round pick of the Islanders in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft and was a late cut last season. He will join the Amherst Ramblers of the MHL where he played last season.

Reid, 16, was seventh round pick of the Islanders in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft. His junior A rights are owned by St. Stephe. According to an Islanders release, he will be going back to Fredericton for major midget.

With the recent cuts, 26 players now remain in camp with three goaltenders, nine defencemen and 14 forwards.

For a full list of players remaining in camp, click here.

Islanders/Mooseheads game cancelled during first period due to fog

Photo credit: @HalifaxHerdcast

Saturday night's game between the Charlottetown Islanders and Halifax Mooseheads from the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro, N.S., was cancelled with 8:09 remaining in the first period due to fog. 

Both team officials came to an agreement as fog was so bad it was hard for players and fans to see the play. The game was cancelled for the safety of the players. 

The game was tied 2-2 when the decision was made. 

Johnny Foley scored 1:10 into the contest to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead. Alexandre Goulet drew the lone assist. 

Just 1:01 later, Vincent Watt tied the game for Halifax with a power play marker. Cooper Jones and Morgan Nauss drew assists. 

Halifax then took a 2-1 lead at 3:58 with a goal from Connor Moynihan. Barrett Dachyshyn and Ilya Putinstev drew assists. 

Charlottetown tied the game at 8:09 with a power play goal from Brady Griffin-Hefford. Dexter Weber and Kameron Kielly drew assists. 

Matthew Welsh only faced three shots in the short time for Charlottetown. Kevin Resop was 11-for-13 in goal for Halifax. 

Details on the game will be posted when they come available. 

Former Rocket forward signs with Leigh Valley Phantoms

Former P.E.I. Rocket forward Geoff Walker signed with the Leigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League on Friday.

The 27-year-old native of Charlottetown spent two and half seasons with the Rocket from the mid-way point of the 2005-06 season until his overage season in 2007-08.

In his last QMJHL season with the Rocket, Walker scored 38 goals and 90 points in 69 games. Walker skated in 168 total games with the Rocket and scored 83 goals and 196 points. He was originally a second round pick of the Gatineau Olympiques in 2004.

Walker has been been back-and-forth between the AHL and the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) since his departure from the QMJHL. Last season, Walker split the season between the Ontario Reign and the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL and combined for 18 goals and 43 points in 60 games.

In 269 AHL games with Manchester Monarchs, Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, Lake Erie Monsters and the Syracuse Crunch, the six-foot-three, 225-pound winger has collected 45 goals and 116 points. In 160 ECHL games with Ontario, Florida Everblades and Missouri, he has collected 52 goals and 123 points.

Leigh Valley is the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers.

Islanders down Screaming Eagles in pre-season play

Daniel Sprong’s second period goal stood as the game winner as the Charlottetown Islanders skated to a 5-1 pre-season win over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Friday evening at Pownal Sports Centre.

Sprong added another goal and helped out on another as Filip Chlapik, Carl Gervais and Mitchell Balmas added singles. Anthony Sorrentino had the lone goal for Cape Breton.

Charlottetown picked up its third pre-season win in as many games. Cape Breton is 1-1-1 through the pre-season.

Islanders defenceman Alexander McQuaid said it was a fun game.

“It was only a pre-season game but for a lot of the veteran guys it was our first time in the line up. We were all excited and couldn’t wait to get out there.”

Matthew Welsh. Photo by Kevin Reid.

Rookie goaltender Matthew Welsh said it was a good game for the Islanders.

“Our team was just relentless on the offence and we played strong defensively and stayed strong in front of our net clearing pucks and we blocked a lot of shots at our blue-line too.”

For 16-year-old Welsh, it was his first taste of QMJHL action. Welsh came into the contest at the 13:23 mark of the second period as him and Daryl MacCallum split the time in goal and stopped all nine shots he faced.

Welsh said it was fast-paced and experienced harder shots than what he was used to in major midget.

“They got a couple of power plays on us and I got to experience different situations and it was good. The team played well in front of me and let me do my job.”

Former Rocket Lee signs in Italy

Mark Lee. Photo credit Jarmo Syvanen/Team Ilves.

Former P.E.I. Rocket forward Mark Lee signed with Fassa of an Italy-based hockey league on Thursday.

Lee, 30, played one season with the Rocket in the 2003-04 season during its inaugural season in Charlottetown. In 65 games, the native of Mount Pearl, N.L., had 11 goals and 25 points with 53 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating.

After the Rocket, Lee played with the Kansas City Outlaws of the now-defunct United Hockey League and had 20 goals and 67 points in 78 games.

He has appeared in 52 AHL games and 195 ECHL games. Since 2009-10, Lee has been playing overseas with leagues in Denmark, Finland and Germany. 

Ex-Rocket signs with Rapid City of ECHL

Jimmy Bonneau. Worcester Sharks photo.

Former P.E.I. Rocket forward Jimmy Bonneau has signed with the ECHL's Rapid City Rush.

The East Coast Hockey League club announced the news on Tuesday.

In a team press release, Rush Head Coach and General Manager Joe Ferras said adding a player that brings character, leadership and toughness makes a team better.

"Jimmy brings an abundance of experience, which will be vital in our locker room with our youth and contracted players. It will be great for them to learn from a player like Jimmy about the commitment to the game, work ethic, and intangibles that it takes to become a full-time player at the next level."

Bonneau, now 30, played three seasons with the Rocket, one in Montreal and two in Charlottetown from 2002 to 2005. In 205 QMJHL games, the Baie-Comeau, Que., native scored 19 goals for 47 points and collected 758 penalty minutes.

The past four seasons Bonneau played with the American Hockey League's Worcester Sharks. He has previously played for Rochester Americans, Portland Pirates and the Hamilton Bulldogs in the the AHL. He has also played with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.

Bonneau is a former eighth round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2003.

Islanders trim eight more training camp roster

PRESS RELEASE

The Charlottetown Islanders have trimmed their Training Camp roster by eight following their pre-season game on Saturday afternoon. The following players have been released to their respective clubs:

Josh Shatford
Olivier Chalifour
Jack Desroches
Austin Taylor
Elio Di Meo
Andrew Murphy
Ian Drysdale

Guillaume Briand-Briere

30 players remain in camp.

Getson leads charge in 7-1 pre-season win over Sea Dogs

Keith Getson. Photo by Kaitlin Arseneault. Used with permission.

Keith Getson scored a hat-trick to lead the Charlottetown Islanders to a 7-1 win over the Saint John Sea Dogs in pre-season action Saturday afternoon at the Pownal Sports Centre.

The Islanders are now 2-0-0-0 in the pre-season as Saint John is now 1-1-0-0.

Mitchell Balmas added a pair of goals as Shawn Boudrias (1-2) and Josh Shatford also tallied goals for the Islanders.

“It feels great,” said Getson on the hat-trick. “It definitely gets the confidence up and it feels good.”

The team played great, said the Bridgewater, N.S., native Getson.

“It was a good physical game and we played a good 60 minutes and it was awesome.”

Getson, 17, was one of five returning players in the line-up for Charlottetown. He said new head coach Jim Hulton has the players working harder.

“He demands a lot of work from us and that’s awesome. He’s a great coach.”

Although playing 63 games with the Islanders last season, Getson said he is trying prove himself he can stick by playing physical.

“I’m playing hard every shift and giving my 100 per cent and everything.”

Boudrias, Charlottetown’s 13th overall pick in 2015, also said it was a good game.

“We worked hard and played well in our zone..every worked hard and we buried it.”

Boudrias is still trying to prove himself to make the team this season.

“Even if I went in the first round, I don’t care, I come here to work hard and try to make the team.”

Getson opened the scoring at 7:27 with a power play marker to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead. David Comeau and Dominic Reid drew assists.

At the 10:09 mark, Saint John’s Matthew Green tied the game with Céderic Paré drawing the lone assist.

In the second period, Balmas gave Charlottetown a 2-1 lead at 6:08 with his second goal of the pre-season. Boudrias and Comeau drew assists.

Islanders trade Guilbault to Shawinigan

Samuel Guilbault. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

The Charlottetown Islanders traded Samuel Guilbault and a seventh-round pick in 2016 to the Shawinigan Cataractes on Saturday.

In return, the Islanders receive fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2016 from Shawinigan. The fifth-round pick originally belongs to Chicoutimi.

Guilbault, 17, was a second round, 24th overall, pick of the Islanders in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft and had one goal and 15 points in 49 games last season.

It is to believed the Varennes, Que., forward asked for a trade last season during the Christmas trading period. Guilbault did attend Charlottetown's training camp this week.

The trade was made official by the QMJHL today.

The Islanders host the Saint John Sea Dogs in pre-season action today at 4 p.m. at the Pownal Sports Centre.

Islanders edge Titan in pre-season opener

David Comeau scored two goals and an assist to lead the Charlottetown Islanders to a 5-3 pre-season win over the Acadie-Bathurst Titan Friday night at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre.

The win marks Islanders head coach Jim Hulton’s first "unofficial" win behind the bench. Charlottetown is 1-0-0-0 in pre-season as the Titan falls to 0-2-0-0.

Comeau opened the scoring at the 7:10 mark of the first period with forwards Austin Taylor and Brady Griffin-Hefford drawing assists.

In the second period, the Titan tied the game at 2:10 with a goal from Aaron Kerr. Xavier Vinetti and Keegan Gauthier drew assists.

Just 1:41 later, Islanders 2015 12th-round pick Elio Di Meo gave the Islanders 2-1 lead. Comeau drew the lone assist.

Gauthier tied the game at 9:11 with Francis Thibeault and Yan Plourde drawing assists.

Charlottetown re-gained the lead once again with Comeau scoring on the power play at 10:21 for his second of the contest. Andrew Murphy drew the lone assist.

At the 14:13 mark, second overall pick Antoine Morand tied the game with a power play goal. Thibeault and Jake Smith drew assists.

In the third period, Carl Gervais gave Charlottetown a 4-3 lead with a short-handed marker at 8:02. Kyler Carter drew the lone assists.

Mitchell Balmas rounded out the scoring with an empty-net goal on the power play at 19:48.

Guillaume Briand-Briere and Olivier Chalifour split the time in goal for Charlottetown. Briand-Briere started the game and was 19-for-21. Chalifour was 18-for-19.

Tanner Somers and Reilly Pickard split the time in foal for the Titan. Somers started and was 15-for-17 as Pickard went 18-for-20.

Charlottetown returns home for a pre-season tilt against the Saint John Sea Dogs Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Pownal Sports Centre.

Islanders trim training camp roster by nine

Nine players were released to their respective clubs by the Charlottetown Islanders on Thursday.

Charlottetown released the players from training camp following its final inter-squad game.

The players released are:
Mathieu Jones, F
Matthew Grouchy, F
T.J. Shea, F
Mathieu Rego, D
Ryan Gillam, D
Curtis Scales, F
Jesse Annear, D
Zack Thususka, F
Hunter McIntyre, F

There is currently 40 players remaining in camp: five goaltenders, 13 defencemen and 21 forwards. Updated training camp roster can be found here.

The Islanders are in Acadie-Bathurst tonight for a pre-season battle against the Titan at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Islanders return home for a 4 p.m. pre-season tilt against the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Islanders training camp: Sprong benefitting from Penguins development camp

Islanders forward Daniel Sprong says he learned a lot from the Pittsburgh Penguins’ development camp last month.

The Penguins drafted Sprong in the second round, 46th overall, in 2015 NHL Entry Draft in June.

Hearing his named called was something he said you work hard for, for a long time.

“You just hope to go to a team that really likes you and I’m very happy with Pittsburgh and they were very happy to have to me and hopefully in (main) camp I can show what I can do.”

Just two picks later, Sprong’s linemate Filip Chlapik was selected by the Ottawa Senators.

Sprong said he was very happy for Chlapik.

“We went through a lot together during the year being our draft year and even at the NHL combine. He’s a good friend of mine and he’s my roommate on the road.”

Sprong and other prospects of the Penguins attended the team’s development camp from July 14-18 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Penn.

It was a great experience for the Amsterdam, Netherlands native.

“It’s great being part of that organization and seeing everything there and how many tools you have. They guide you and ask for help. It’s an unbelievable organization and I’m very happy to be apart of it.”

With the Islanders, Sprong is participating in his third QMJHL camp after getting drafted 13th overall in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Sprong was amongst the rookies at Pittsburgh’s camp but is now among the veterans at Charlottetown’s camp this Summer.

It’s a lot different being a veteran in one league and a rookie in another, said Sprong.

“Now being veteran here, you just try to learn from the veteran guys there.”

The six-foot, 183-pound frame has led the Islanders in scoring for the past two seasons. Last season he had 39 goals and 88 points in 68 games.

Islanders training camp: Isles hopeful Sangster looking to stick

Charlottetown Islanders prospect Lucas Sangster is looking to stick around this season - for good.

The 18-year-old, Amherst, N.S., native was a late cut last September by the Islanders after being named to the team's 2014-15 roster.

He played 42 games with the Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Jr. A Hockey league last season and picked up eight assists with 164 penalty minutes.

The six-foot-two, 215-pound defenceman said he has to show the coaching staff how much he has improved over the year.

“How much my compete level has gone up and my strength, my conditioning and my footwork and everything like that.”

He credits spending last season in Junior A as a big help for having to know what to do this year in training camp.

“It’s different playing against bigger, stronger guys and especially the professionalism behind it. You have to be 100 per cent committed to what you’re doing.”

The Islanders drafted Sangster in the fifth round, 84th overall in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft. This is Sangster’s second year at Charlottetown’s training camp and he said he has a lot more confidence knowing what to expect this time around.

“It’s a lot more mental strength and being ready to do what I have to do out there.”

Sangster doesn’t shy away from the rough part of the game and describes himself as a “good, solid and tough defenceman.”

“That’s what I try to pride myself on and do every night.”

Training camp: Islanders pick Welsh working hard to make opening night roster

A Charlottetown Islanders goaltending prospect says it is going to take hard work to get the back-up job this season.

Matthew Welsh, 16, was Charlottetown’s second round, 37th overall in this Summer’s past QMJHL Entry Draft.

“I’m just doing everything I can and trying to work my hardest to earn the spot,” said the Halifax, N.S., native after the team’s first inter-squad game on Tuesday.

The key to working hard is focusing on the task at hand, said Welsh.

“Not thinking about it, just going out there and working hard, nothing about making the team really and just doing the best I can.”

It’s just not the goaltenders battling for spots, but the forwards and defencemen as well, said Welsh.

“I think it's clean slate. Everybody is working for a spot here and we are just trying to work hard to earn that spot. I think the coaches and the GM will all look at us equally and pick whoever is best suited for the job.”

During the Summer, Welsh trained alongside other QMJHL goalies including Mason McDonald. Welsh and McDonald have the same goaltending coach, Brad McCharles.

Welsh has looked up to McDonald while growing up.

“I guess I just try to learn from him and take as much away from him as I can to benefit my game.”

Team Black 5, Team White 4

Team Black came out with a 5-4 win over Team White in the first inter-squad game.

Team White took a 1-0 lead with a goal from Curtis Scales and that would be all after the first 15-minute period.

Ex-Rocket defenceman signs with Fort Wayne Komets

Jordon Southorn. The Guardian photo.

Former P.E.I. Rocket defenceman Jordon Southorn signed with the Fort Wayne Komets of the East Coast Hockey League, the team announced on Wednesday.

Southorn, now 25, spent four seasons in the QMJHL with the Rocket from 2006 to 2010. The Rocket drafted Southorn 17th overall in the 2006 QMJHL Entry Draft. In 258 regular season games, Southorn scored 27 goals and 105 points. He sits fifth in Rocket/Islanders franchise history for most career games played and sits second in franchise history for career points by a defenceman.

The Montreal, Que., native was drafted in the fourth round by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft but never signed an entry-level contract.

Since his departure from the QMJHL, Southorn played with Trenton Devils of the ECHL in 2010-11 collecting nine assists and a minus-13 rating in 35 games. The following season he appeared in 28 games with the Trenton Titan (ECHL) scoring six goals and 16 points and appeared in 22 more games with the Wheeling Nailers, also of the ECHL, scoring two goals and five points. He also appeared in two games with the AHL's Providence Bruins.

Islanders acquire McQuaid from Sagueneens

The Charlottetown Islanders acquired defenceman Alexander McQuaid from the Chicoutimi Sagueneens on Wednesday.

In return, the Islanders send a 10th-round pick in 2016 to the Sagueneens.

McQuaid, of Meadowbank, P.E.I., was originally a fourth round pick of the Sea Dogs in 2013. The six-foot-two, 194-pound frame has five assists and 218 penalty minutes in 107 regular season games spent with Saint John, Quebec Remparts and Chicoutimi.

McQuaid is a first cousin of Boston Bruins defenceman Adam McQuaid.

The trade was made official today.

Islanders announce schedule for first week of training camp

Photo by Darrell Theriault.

The Charlottetown Islanders announced its schedule for the first week of training camp on Wednesday.

Training camp begins Monday Aug. 10 at the Pownal Sports Centre and the first week will feature daily practices, three inter-squad games and two pre-season games.

On-ice sessions will begin Tuesday Aug. 11 with the first practice with Group A at 9 a.m. A goaltending session will follow from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. before Group B hits the ice from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The first inter-squad game will be at 6 p.m. and will be open to the public.

Schedules for Wednesday Aug. 12 and Thursday Aug. 13 look the same as Tuesday, just with Group A and B alternating practice times.

The Islanders play its first pre-season game on Friday Aug. 14 against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan on the road at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre at 7 p.m. ADT.

Charlottetown will return home on Saturday Aug. 15 for a tilt against the Saint John Sea Dogs at 4 p.m. ADT at the Pownal Sports Centre.

The full training camp roster can be found here.

Summer Showcase update

Under-20 Development Camp
Charlottetown Islanders forward Filip Chlapik had the lone goal for the Czech Republic in a 7-1 loss to Canada Tuesday night in an exhibition game, in Calgary, Alta.

Mason McDonald was not in goal for Team Canada.

Canada's next game is today against Russia at 11 p.m. ADT.

Under-17 Development Camp
Islanders prospects Matthew Welsh and Shawn Boudrias participated in the Under-17 Development Camp from July 29 to Aug. 4.

Boudrias was Charlottetown's first round, 13th overall, pick in 2015. The six-foot-three, 189-pound forward was held pointless through three games.

Welsh, goaltender, was Charlottetown's second round, 37th overall, pick in 2015. The Halifax, N.S., native suited up for Team Gold and appeared in three games for a total playing time of 105:22. He ended the camp a 3.99 goals against average and a 0.865 save percentage.

McDonald, Team Canada skates to 4-1 win over Russia

In his first hockey game since March 30, Mason McDonald made 16 saves to lead Team Canada to a 4-1 victory over Russia Tuesday night in an exhibition game for the National Junior Team Summer Development Camp.

After giving up the first goal of the game, McDonald and the Canadians rebounded for four-straight, unanswered goals.

Just 3:52 into the contest the Russians struck first with Damir Sharipzyanov scoring unassisted.

The Canadians tied it up at the 11:04 mark with a tally from Mitchell Stephens with John Quenneville and Vince Dunn drawing assists.

Shots were an even 9-9.

In the second period, Canada took its first lead of the game just 41 seconds into the period with a goal form Joe Hicketts. Mitchell Marner drew the lone assist.

Canada took a 3-1 lead with Spencer Watson scoring a power play goal at 6:33. Nick Merkley drew the lone assist.

Shots were 10-5 in favour of Canada.

Dylan Strome had the lone goal of the third period, coming at the 17:08 mark. Michael Dal Colle drew the lone assist.

Maxim Tretiak made 23 saves in the loss for Russia.

Team Canada plays the Czech Republic today at 8:30 p.m. ADT.

McDonald to start for Canada versus Russians tonight

Mason McDonald. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Mason McDonald will be getting the start in goal in an exhibition game against Russia tonight.

The 19-year-old, Halifax, N.S., native is one of three goaltenders participating in Team Canada's National Junior Team Summer Development Camp taking place in Calgary, Alta. The development camp started Aug. 1 and runs until Aug. 6. Team Canada will play two exhibition games against both Russia and the Czech Republic.

McDonald posted a 28-26 (won-lost) record with a 3.06 goals against average and a 0.906 save percentage with one shutout with the Islanders in the 2014-15 season.

McDonald was the first goaltender selected at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft when the Calgary Flames drafted him 34th overall. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flames on July 2, 2015.

Tonight's game is at 11 p.m. ADT from the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.

Team Canada will face-off against the Czech Republic on Tuesday Aug. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ADT, Russia on Wednesday Aug. 5 at 11 p.m. ADT and then the Czech Republic again on Thursday Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. ADT.

Eastlink TV to broadcast 10 Islanders games this season

The Charlottetown Islanders will be broadcasted live on Eastlink TV 10 times for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

The Canadian telecommunications company released its broadcasting schedule today for its program "Friday Night Hockey" which includes 24 QMJHL regular season games plus playoffs.

Charlottetown's season home-opener on Friday Sept. 11 against the Halifax Mooseheads will be broadcasted live to start the 2014-15 edition of the program.

Even though the name "Friday Night Hockey", there are a handful of games that will be broadcasted on Saturday nights. Two Islanders will be broadcasted on Saturday night.

Islanders "Friday Night Hockey" Eastlink TV broadcast schedule:
(Home games in bold)
Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 vs. Halifax Mooseheads
Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 vs. Saint John Sea Dogs
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 vs. Acadie-Bathurst Titan
Friday, Nov. 20, 2015 @ Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 vs. Moncton Wildcats
Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 vs. Acadie-Bathurst Titan
Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 @ Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 vs. Baie-Comeau Drakkar
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 @ Halifax Mooseheads

Ex-Islanders forward signs extension with German club

Marco Sedlar. Photo by Jenn Ellis.

Former Charlottetown Islanders forward Marco Sedlar has signed a contract extension with EV Landshut of Oberliga (Germany 3) in Germany.

The 19-year-old, Dingolfing, Germany, native played 11 games with the Islanders during the 2013-14 season scoring two goals with a minus-five rating. Sedlar was later released by the Islanders and played four games with EC Salzburg II of the MHL in Russia and one game with EHC Munchen of the German DEL league.

Charlottetown drafted Sedlar 33rd overall in the 2013 CHL Import Draft.

Last season, Sedlar appeared in 41 games with EV Landshut of the DEL2 league in Germany, picking up two assists. He also played 12 games with EC Salzburg II scoring a goal and an assist.

The TermiNathan's 2015-2016 Season Statement

Daniel Sprong. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Readers of Islanders Country!

Last season I had the privilege of writing for this site and being introduced to you all.  Most notably my monthly recaps, where we took a look at the team's performance based largely upon shot differential through each period, PDO, and percentages.

However, this year I want to expand even further.  I always have been fascinated with hockey statistics from a young age and with "fancy stats" and "analytics" being introduced to an audience at the national level.  I want to take it a step further this upcoming season with Islanders Country.

I will continue to do monthly write-ups in a similar fashion to last season, but we're going to step it up a notch.  This year I want to include shot numbers for: even strength, power play, and penalty kill so we can statistically see what areas the Islanders excel or need improvement instead of just overall shot totals.  We also want to look at zone entries and zone starts for players on a game basis.  I will be able to go through the game footage to capture examples to show everyone which players take the puck into the opposing teams' zone with control.  Like-wise we will able to show which defenders on the Islanders do the best job of making it difficult for opposing teams to enter our zone.  There are plenty of possibilities for ideas that can be done with this information.

Breaking down game footage is also something I'm looking at but will likely be less frequent due to my time being occupied with University and working.  But, the goal is to provide a ton of content for Islanders Country and Charlottetown Islanders fans while becoming the best damn blog in the Q.

Lastly I want to thank everyone who has watched "The Sprong Show - Daniel Sprong" on Vimeo/YouTube.  The video now has a combined 4,093 views on both sites and has been met tons of praise!  It was a lot of fun to make but it is not something I am focused on in the future.  There will likely be more videos but its not priority.

As always, Thanks for reading. See you at the rink!

Follow Nathan on Twitter
@TheTermiNathan

Islanders release training camp roster

Photo by Darrell Theriault.

The Charlottetown Islanders released its training camp roster on Thursday.

The training camp rosters consists of 46 players; broken down into 22 returning roster players, 17 prospects and draft picks, and seven free agent invites.

In a team release, Islanders General Manager Grant Sonier said the team is expected a very competitive training camp with the number of returning players and a new head coach.

"We expect all our players to show up hungry and prepared for what should be a very big year for our franchise."

Full in-depth training camp roster, click here.
Training camp roster:

Annear, Jesse
Balmas, Mitchell
Boudrais, Shawn
Briand-Briere, Guillaume
Carter, Kyler
Chaddock, Chris
Chalifour, Oliver
Chlapik, Filip
Comeau, David
Cooper, Oliver
Deschenes, Luc
Desroches, Jack
Di Meo, Elio
Drysdale, Ian
Foley, Johnny

Ex-Rocket signs with AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Pat McGrath. Photo by Darrell Kennedy.

 Former P.E.I. Rocket forward Patrick McGrath has signed an American Hockey League contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the team announced yesterday.

McGrath, 22 - known more for his fists and fighting than for his hands and scoring - is the first local hockey player to join the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins organization.

The Shavertown, Penn., native spent parts of the 2011-12 season and the full 2012-13 season with the P.E.I. Rocket.

In 2011-12, McGrath skated in 11 games picking up 58 penalty minutes with the Rocket. He spent the rest of the season with the Summerside Western Capitals of the MHL scoring a goal and four points while collecting 186 penalty minutes. The following season, McGrath skated in 61 games with the Rocket, scoring a goal and two points while collecting 171 penalty minutes. His 171 penalty minutes was the most of any QMJHL player during the 2012-13 season.

Following the Rocket, McGrath has skated in 104 regular season ECHL games with the Wheeling Nailers scoring three goals and nine points with 422 penalty minutes.

McGrath signed a professional tryout agreement with the AHL's Penguins on Dec. 26, 2014 and appeared in two games and picked up 12 penalty minutes.

Former Rocket defenceman signs with New Jersey

Former P.E.I. Rocket defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils on Friday.

The 28-year-old, Montreal, Que., native skated with the P.E.I. Rocket for four full seasons from 2003 to 2007. In 256 regular season games, Gragnani amassed 50 goals and 193 points. He added six goals and 18 points in 24 career QMJHL playoff games.

Prior to signing with the Devils, Gragnani played with Bern of the NLA in Germany where he scored eight goals and 37 points in 49 games.

Gragnani has spent time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Rochester Americans, Portland Pirates and Charlotte Checkers for a total of 325 games with 50 goals and 234 points. He also spent a season in the Kontential Hockey League in Russia (KHL) with HC Lev Praha scoring two goals and nine points in 42 games.

He has also appeared in 74 NHL games with Buffalo, Vancouver and Carolina scoring three goals and 18 points.

Gragnani was originally a third round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2005.

McDonald signs entry-level contract with Flames

Mason McDonald. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Mason McDonald signed an entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames, the team announced today.

The #Flames have signed @mmcdonald96 & @BigRigSmith ~ http://t.co/Nlec0iVE6s pic.twitter.com/xltAnLsz41

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 2, 2015

McDonald, 19, was drafted 34th overall by the Flames in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Halifax, N.S., native went 28-26 with a 3.06 goals against average and a 0.906 save percentage with the Islanders this past season. McDonald's 28 wins tied a franchise record for most wins in a season by a goaltender. He was limited to only three playoffs games due to an injury.

McDonald has been invited to the Under-20 National Junior Team Summer Development Camp which takes place Aug. 1-6 at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary, Alta.

CHL Import Draft kicks off today

The 2015 CHL Import Draft kicks off today at 12 p.m. ADT.

As per The Guardian newspaper, the Islanders will be passing on their 28th overall pick and will go with Filip Chlapik and Filip Rydstrom as the team's import players for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

This year, Acadie-Bathurst Titan holds the first overall pick followed by WHL's Saskatoon Blades and then OHL's Sudbury Wolves.

The Charlottetown Islanders drafted both Chlapik and Rydstrom during last year's Import Draft.

Full draft list can be seen here.

Islanders name Hulton as team's new bench boss

The Charlottetown Islanders have named Jim Hulton as its new head coach, the team announced today.

Hulton, 46, previously coached the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the last two seasons. The Kingston, Ont., native had a combined 54-51 record with a .514 winning percentage. This past season, Hulton coached the Storm to a 37-17-6 finish and was named USHL General Manager of the Year in 2015.

In a team press release, Islanders General Manager Grant Sonier said the team went through a long process of narrowing down the candidates.

“Jim brings with him an impressive resume and experience at all levels. He is a motivator, a teacher, and a guy that we think can bring this team to the next level.”

In the same release, Hulton said he is thrilled to be heading to Charlottetown.

“It is a team that is full of high quality talent, which includes several NHL draft picks and is coming off a very successful year. When I interviewed with Grant for the first time it felt like a natural conversation; combining that and my history with Assistant Coach Connor Cameron it felt like a really good fit.”

Handful of Islanders to attend NHL development camps

 Five Charlottetown Islanders players will attend NHL development camps this summer.

Daniel Sprong, Filip Chlapik, Kameron Kielly, Alexandre Goulet and David Henley will all attend development camps.

Sprong and Kielly will be attending the development camp of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sprong was Pittsburgh's 46th overall selection in 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old, Amsterdamn, Netherlands, native scored 39 goals and 88 points in 68 games this season.

Kielly, 18, went undrafted but received a call from the Penguins on Saturday to attend their development camp. Kielly scored 16 goals and 49 points in 67 games, maintaining a plus-one rating.

Kielly announced the news via Twitter.

Not the result I was looking for but still a great day with family and friends and excited to be heading to @penguins camp!

— Kameron Kielly (@Kielly11) June 27, 2015

Only two Islanders players taken in NHL Draft

Filip Chlapik and Daniel Sprong. Photo from Pittsburgh Penguins Instagram.

Only two Charlottetown Islanders players were drafted into the NHL this weekend.

Daniel Sprong and Filip Chlapik were the only two players from the Islands, out of a possible five, to hear their names called Saturday June 27, 2015 in Sunrise, Fla.

Both Sprong and Chlapik were second round picks and just two picks apart.

Pittsburgh Penguins photo.

The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Sprong with the 46th overall selection. Sprong, 18, was ranked as the 20th overall North American skater in Central Scouting's final rankings. The Amsterdam, Netherlands native was Pittsburgh's first selection of the draft. Pittsburgh had four picks through seven rounds. Sprong led the Islanders in scoring for a second straight season, scoring 39 goals and 88 points in 68 games.

Two selections later, the Ottawa Senators grabbed forward Filip Chlapik with the 48th overall pick. Chlapik was ranked as the 18th overall amongst North American skaters in the Central Scouting's final rankings. Chlapik, 18, finished his QMJHL rookie season with 33 goals and 75 points in 64 games. The Prague, Czech Republic native's 33 goals and 75 points set a new franchise record for most goals and points in a season by a rookie.

Unfortunately for Islanders players Kameron Kielly, David Henley and Alexandre Goulet, they were not selected.

Kielly, 18, was ranked 83rd, Henley was ranked 95th and Goulet was ranked 166th.

Islanders Country Exclusive: The Sprong Show Highlight Video

Welcome to the exclusive premier of The Sprong Show, a video edited by Nathan A'Hearn.
 


The Sprong Show - Daniel Sprong from Nathan A'Hearn on Vimeo.

Copyright infringement not intended.

The Sprong Show Trailer

Welcome to an Islanders Country exclusive for a trailer of "The Sprong Show."

The Sprong Show is a video edited by Islanders Country's own Nathan A'Hearn who has put together a highlight package of never before seen clips of NHL draft prospect Daniel Sprong.

The full length video will be premiered exclusively on Islanders Country tomorrow at 11 a.m. ADT.

*Copyright infringement not intended*

Islanders Country 2015 NHL Mock Draft

Daniel Sprong. Photo by Darrell Theriault

To get prepared for the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft on Friday, Islanders Country has joined the party and have done a mock draft of our own.

Like every other mock draft, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel go No. 1 and 2 respectively. In our mock draft, third-ranked North American skater Noah Hanifin falls as low as fifth overall.

Charlottetown Islanders forward Daniel Sprong is selected 24th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs by both Nolan and Nathan. Sprong is ranked 20th overall for North American skaters. Filip Chlapik, ranked 18th overall, does not make our first round picks, but does receive an honourable mention.

Other Islanders players Kameron Kielly, David Henley and Alexandre Goulet are expected to be drafted on Saturday in later rounds.

The first round of the NHL draft is Friday at 7 p.m. EST in Sunrise, Fla. Rounds 2-7 will conclude on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. EST.

Trio of Islanders players invited to Hockey Canada National Teams' Summer Showcase

Mason McDonald. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Three Charlottetown Islanders players have been invited to Hockey Canada National Teams’ Summer Showchase.

Goaltender Mason McDonald is one of three CHL goaltenders invited to the Under-20 National Junior Team Summer Development Camp which takes place Aug. 1-6 at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary, Alta.

A pair of 2015 draft picks, Shawn Boudrias and goaltender Matthew Welsh, have been invited to Canada’s national under-17 development camp which takes place July 29-Aug. 2 at the Markin MachPhail Centre.

McDonald, 19, posted a 28-26 (won-lost) record with the Islanders last season with a 3.06 goals against average and a 0.906 save percentage. The Halifax, N.S., native recently recovered from a lower-body injury suffered in the first round of the playoffs back in April. McDonald is a second-round pick of the Calgary Flames.

Fellow QMJHL goalie Samuel Montembeault (Blainville-Boisbriand) has also been invited.

Canada will play two games against the Czech Republic and Russia between Aug. 4 and Aug. 6.

Islanders prospect to play for USHL's Chicago Steel

Frank Sullivan. Picture taken from Sullivan's Twitter.

An American Charlottetown Islanders prospect will be joining the Chicago Steel of the USHL next season.

Frank Sullivan, 19, tweeted today that he has joined the United States Hockey League club.

Extremely proud and excited to be a part of @ChicagoSteel! Can't wait to get the season going with the boys.

— Frankie Sullivan (@Sullivan_71_17) June 22, 2015

Charlottetown drafted the Fairfield, Conn., native in the fourth round, 73rd overall in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.

Last season, the six-foot, 187-pound defenceman skated with the Springfield Pics of the U.S. Premier Hockey League (USPHL) scoring two goals and five points in 23 games.

Charlottetown's training camp opens Aug. 10 in Pownal.

Former Islanders captain commits to U.P.E.I.

Ryan MacKinnon makes a move around Halifax's Taylor Ford on Feb. 21, 2015. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Former Charlottetown Islanders defenceman and captain Ryan MacKinnon will continue his hockey career on the Island and has committed to the U.P.E.I. Panthers.

MacKinnon, 20, wrapped up his final season of major junior this past season with the Islanders scoring a career-high 10 goals and 50 points in 64 games, with a minus-14 rating.

The Summerside, P.E.I., native spent the previous three seasons with the Rimouski Oceanic who drafted him in the fifth round, 86th overall in 2011. The six-foot, 185-pound defenceman was traded to Charlottetown on May 30, 2014. MacKinnon served as Rimouski's captain during the 2013-14 season.

Over the course of four seasons and 252 regular season games, MacKinnon scored 20 goals and 107 points with a plus-10 rating.

MacKinnon will join former Oceanic teammate and captain Casey Babineau with the Panthers.

Former Islanders forward Craig MacLauchlan also plays for U.P.E.I.

Pair of Islanders prospects drafted in QJHL

A pair of Charlottetown Islanders prospects were drafted into the Quebec Junior A Hockey League (QJHL) on Saturday.

Prospects Elio Di Meo and Pierre-Olivier Joseph were selected.

Di Meo, 17, was drafted eighth overall by the Rangers de Montreal-Est. The Montreal, Que., native was drafted in the 12th round, 209th overall by the Islanders in 2015. Di Meo played with Laval-Montreal Rousseau Royal of the QMAAA scoring seven goals and 16 points in 42 games.

Joseph, 16, was selected in the eighth round, 104th overall by Les Forts de Chambly. The Islanders drafted Joseph in the fifth round, 78th overall in 2015. Joseph scored three goals and 11 points in 42 games with Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois of the QMAAA.

Full draft list can be seen here.

Handful of Islanders selected in MHL Draft

Mitchell Balmas. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

A handful of Charlottetown Islanders players and prospects were drafted in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MHL) on Saturday.

Mitchell Balmas, Dominik Reid, Ian Drysdale and Luke House were the four players selected.

Defenceman Zack McFadden was selected by the Summerside Capitals during the QMJHL Supplementary Draft.

Balmas, 17, was selected in the sixth round, 70th overall by the Amherst Ramblers.

Reid was a territorial pick of the St. Stephen County Aces. The Islanders drafted Reid in the seventh round, 123rd overall in 2015.

Drysdale, was a territorial pick of the Amherst Ramblers. The 16-year-old Halifax, N.S., native was an eighth round pick of the Islanders in 2015.

House, 16, was a territorial pick of the Yarmouth Mariners. The native of Corner Brook, N.L., was a third round pick, 55th overall by the Islanders in 2014.

The full draft list can be seen here.

Ex-Islanders coach Dwyer to coach in KHL

Ex-Charlottetown Islanders head coach Grodie Dwyer has been named the new head coach of the KHL's Medvescak Zagreb based in Croatia.

The Kontential Hockey League club announced the news today.

Welcome to #Medvescak #Zagreb coach @GDwyer32! #TogetherWeAre

— KHL Medvescak Zagreb (@KHL_MedvescakZG) June 15, 2015

Dwyer, 37, was relieved of his coaching duties with the Islanders in late April. The Dalhousie, N.B., native served four seasons behind the bench - two with P.E.I. Rocket and two with the Charlottetown Islanders - while posting an all-time 116-133 (won-lost) record. He was the first coach since Alain Vigneault in 2004 to help the team reach the second round of the playoffs.

Medvescak Zagreb finished 13th in the KHL's West Conference this past season with  a 23-32-5 record for 68 points.