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.

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 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.”

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.

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.

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

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