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.

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.

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.

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.

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

New York Islanders sign Johnston to entry-level contract

Ross Johnston. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

The New York Islanders have signed Charlottetown Islanders forward Ross Johnston to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

Johnston, 21, scored a career-high 18 goals and 32 points in 44 games this season with the Charlottetown Islanders while maintaining a plus-eight rating with 124 penalty minutes.

The native of Charlottetown, P.E.I., spent four seasons in the QMJHL since 2011-12 after being drafted in the sixth round by the Moncton Wildcats in 2011. In 195 career regular season games, the six-foot-five, 225-pound winger scored 42 goals and 91 points with Moncton, Victoriaville and Charlottetown.

Johnston also participated in New York Islanders rookie camp in the summer of 2014.

Ex-Islanders netminder gets recalled by Toronto Maple Leafs

Antoine Bibeau as a member of the Charlottetown Islanders. Photo by Darrell Theriault.

Charlottetown Islanders goaltender Antoine Bibeau has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies by the Toronto Maple Leafs today on an emergency basis.

Bibeau, 20, has posted an 8-7-5 record with the American Hockey League’s Marlies this season in 20 games. He has maintained a 2.58 goals against average and a 0.917 save percentage with four shutouts.

The Maple Leafs drafted the Victoriaville, Que., native in the sixth round, 172nd overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Toronto visits the Edmonton Oilers tonight at 7 p.m. EST.

Bibeau was originally drafted into the QMJHL in 2010 by the now-defunct Lewiston Maineiacs in the fifth round, 73rd overall. He was acquired by the P.E.I. Rocket from Gatineau in 2011, and was then traded to Val-d’Or in December 2013.

In 101 appearances with the the Rocket/Islanders, Bibeau posted a 43-40 record with a 3.32 goals against average and a 0.901 save percentage.

Ex-Rocket Nestrasil claimed off waivers by Carolina

Former P.E.I. Rocket forward Andrej Nestrasil was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes today.

The 23-year-old was placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings yesterday. In 13 games, Nestrasil picked up two assists and a minus-three rating.

Ex-Isles goalie Bibeau assigned to Marlies

Former Charlottetown Islanders goalie Antoine Bibeau was the last goaltender cut from the Toronto Maple Leafs' training camp and has been assigned to the team's AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

The news was announced yesterday.

The 20-year-old, Victoriaville, Que., native made appearances in two pre-season games with the Maple Leafs. On Sept. 23, Bibeau made 15 saves in 30:15 played to share a shutout with Jonathan Bernier against the Philadelphia Flyers. The next night, Bibeau played 30:33 against the Ottawa Senators and stopped 18-of-20 shots.

Toronto drafted Bibeau in the sixth round, 172nd overall in 2013.

Darrell Theriault photo.

Bibeau spent two and half seasons in Charlottetown with the P.E.I. Rocket and Charlottetown Islanders. Originally a fifth round pick by the now-defunct Lewiston Manieiacs in 2010, Bibeau would go on to post a 43-40 record, 3.32 goals against average, a 0.901 save percentage and six shutouts with the Rocket/Islanders.

At the Christmas trade period, Bibeau was dealt to the eventual President Cup Champions Val-d'Or Foreurs where he posted a 13-8 record with a 3.03 goals against average, 0.900 save percentage and one shutout. In 24 playoff games, he led the Foreurs with a 2.80 goals against average and a 0.913 save percentage.

After four games and semi-finals elimination to the Edmonton Oil Kings at the MasterCard Memorial Cup Tournament in London, Ont., Bibeau was named the tournament's top goalie with a 2.76 goals against average and a 0.932 save percentage. He was the only goalie to have a shutout and it came in the tournament's opener in a 51-save effort against the London Knights.

Flames return McDonald to Islanders

Photo by: Darrell Theriault

Mason McDonald is on his way back to Charlottetown.

The Calgary Flames announced they have returned the 18-year-old goaltender to the Charlottetown Islanders after spending almost three weeks the Flames.

The Flames tweeted the news today.

#Flames Roster Update: Fram (D), Magee (F), McDonald (G), & Smith (F) have been assigned to their respective junior teams.
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 22, 2014

McDonald attended Calgary's rookie camp which started Sept. 12 and appeared in two rookie games. He then attended the team's main training camp which started Friday Sept. 12.

The Halifax, N.S. should make his 2014-2015 season debut with the Islanders on Wednesday when they travel to Acadie-Bathurst for a tilt against the Titan at 7:30 p.m. AST.

Cooper returned to Islanders

Oliver Cooper. Photo by Darrell Kennedy.

 The Colorado Avalanche reassigned forward Oliver Cooper back to the Charlottetown Islanders on Sunday.

Cooper is the second player to return from an NHL's team training camp. Alexandre Goulet was returned by Montreal last Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Fredericton, N.B. native impressed during the team's rookie camp and earned an invite to the team's main training camp which started Sept. 18.

Cooper skated in Charlottetown's 3-2 home opening shootout win over the Saint John Sea Dogs on Friday Sept. 12, then headed to Colorado's rookie camp the next day. 

Goaltender Mason McDonald (Calgary Flames), Mike DiPaolo (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Ross Johnston (New York Islanders) are still with their respective NHL training camps.

McDonald and Cooper named to NHL main camps

Mason McDonald and Oliver Cooper have been named to their respective NHL teams' main training camps.

McDonald, 18, will attend the main training camp of the Calgary Flames after impressing the team during rookie camp this week.

The Halifax, N.S. native started in two rookie games against the Edmonton Oilers rookies and the Vancouver Canucks rookies picking up a win and a loss. He made 15 saves in the win against Vancouver and 13 saves in the loss to Edmonton.

There are seven goaltenders attending Calgary's training camp: McDonald, Karri Ramo, Joni Ortio, Brad Thiessen, Doug Carr, Matt Mancina and Jonas Hiller.

Calgary's camp begins Friday Sept. 19 and will run until Sept. 24.

Cooper, 19, will attend the main training camp of the Colorado Avalanche.

Colorado's camp begins Sept. 19 and will run until Sept. 21.

As of now, the Islanders will be without McDonald, Cooper, Ryan MacKinnon and Mike DiPaolo for their games in Cape Breton Friday and Saturday. MacKinnon was named to Buffalo's main training camp and DiPaolo was named to Columbus' main training camp.

Forward Alexandre Goulet was returned yesterday and will be in the lineup on the weekend.

There is no information on forward Ross Jonston (New York Islanders).

MacKinnon to attend Buffalo Sabres' main camp

Charlottetown Islanders captain Ryan MacKinnon will attend the main training camp of the Buffalo Sabres.

The Buffalo Sabres released its training camp roster today.

MacKinnon, 20, of Summerside, P.E.I. is one of 18 defencemen attending camp. He is also one of five current QMJHL players at Buffalo's camp.

The Islanders acquired MacKinnon from the Rimouski Oceanic on May 30 for a first-round pick, 16th overall, in the past draft and a fifth-round pick in 2015.

MacKinnon was a fifth round pick of the Oceanic back in 2011 and spent three seasons with the Rimouski-based team scoring 10 goals and 57 points in 188 regular season games.

The Sabres open up their training camp Sept. 19.

"Big Dipper" off to Blue Jackets' main training camp

Mike DiPaolo fights Halifax's Brandon Vuic. Charlottetown Islanders photo.

Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Mike DiPaolo has earned a spot on Columbus Blue Jackets' main training camp roster.

After participating in the Traverse City Prospects Tournament, the 20-year-old Brantford, Ont. native will get to join current Blue Jacket players and hopefuls for the team's training camp which opens Thursday, Sept. 18 in Columbus, Ohio. The main camp will run until Friday Sept. 26.

DiPaolo was a free agent pickup by the Islanders in October of 2013. The six-foot-four, 213-pound heavyweight recorded four assists in 51 games and the league in penaly minutes with 165.

Full information on Columbus' training camp can be found here.

Goulet returns to Islanders

Alex Goulet. Photo credit: Darrell Theriault.

Alexandre Goulet has been released from the Montreal Canadiens' rookie camp and will return to the Charlottetown Islanders tomorrow.

The Charlottetown Islanders tweeted the news this afternoon.

We're very happy to be welcoming back @alexgoulet19 after a successful @CanadiensMTL camp! Get your Goulet chants ready! He's back tomorrow!
— IslandersHKY (@IslandersHKY) September 16, 2014

The 18-year-old Disreali, Que., native went undrafted at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft but was invited to both Montreal's development and rookie camps.

Goulet will be in the lineup this weekend when the Islanders play back-to-back games in Cape Breton against the Screaming Eagles on Friday and Saturday.

With Goulet's return, the Islanders now have four skaters and one goaltender at NHL rookie camps. Ryan MacKinnon, Ross Johnston, Mike DiPaolo, Oliver Cooper and Mason McDonald are still with their respective NHL rookie camps.

McDonald earns win against Vancouver Canucks rookies

Calgary Flames rookies celebrate win around Mason McDonald. Photo by Clint Tahran.

Mason McDonald made 15 saves as the Calgary Flames rookies thumped the Vancouver Canucks rookies last night at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C.

The Flames end the Young Stars Classic with a 2-1-0 record.

After giving up the game's first goal in the first period, the Flames stormed back with three goals in each of the last two periods.

Michael Ferland had two goals and an assist to lead the way for the Flames.

Jonathon Martin's unassisted marker of 15:26 of the first period was the only goal to by McDonald. Martin's shot was from the high slot and beat McDonald over the glove. Canucks fired seven shots McDonald's way.

Markus Granlund, Ferland and Turner Elson scored in the second period for Calgary giving them a 3-1 edge. McDonald only saw three shots.

In the third period, Ferland, Bryce Van Brabant and Hunter Smith netted goals for Calgary for a 6-1 lead. McDonald was six-for-six in shots.

Full recap can be read here.

Flames sticking with McDonald for rookie game against Canucks

Photo credit: Clint Trahan

Charlottetown Islanders goalie Mason McDonald will get the start for the Calgary Flames for their game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Young Stars Classic tonight in Penticton, B.C.

The game starts at 6:30 p.m. MST.

The Halifax, N.S. native started for the Flames Saturday night in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers rookies. McDonald made 13 saves.

In a team release, Ryan Huska, head coach of the Flames' AHL affiliate Adirondack Flames, said McDonald had some good moments in his first game where there were lots of nerves.

"To be a goaltender, it can be intimidating. I think today, you noticed a more relaxed guy. That’s because he feels a little bit more comfortable. I’m expecting him to have a really good night."

In the same press release, McDonald said the first game was pretty fun.

"I felt pretty comfortable in there. I think I got better as the game went on. The goals I look back on and hope to improve tonight. The goal is to get the win."

McDonald added that he nerves aren't nearly as bad in advance of his second start.

"They’re not too bad right now,” McDonald said. “I’m more prepared this time. I’m not really nervous going into tonight. When game time comes, I might be, but once I feel the puck I’ll be fine."

The Flames drafted McDonald 34th overall in this past summer's draft.

News and Notes - Sept. 11

The Charlottetown Islanders made some roster moves yesterday.

Defenceman Lucas Sangster has been returned to his hometown and will play for the Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Hockey League. The 17-year-old defenceman was a fifth round pick by the Islanders in 2014 and skated in five exhibition games collecting two assists.

The Islanders now have eight defenceman remaining in Ryan MacKinnon, Dexter Weber, Guillaume Rioux-Legault, Zack McFadden, Luc Deschenes, David Henley, Will Thompson and David Comeau.

With missing bodies this weekend, the Islanders have called up forwards Nathan Yetman and Malik Johnson.

Yetman, 18, appeared in 88 regular season games in the last two seasons with the Islanders/Rocket scoring five goals and 15 points. He was late August and was assigned to the Summerside Western Capitals of the MHL.

Johnson, 19, was an affiliate player last season, appearing in four games picking up seven penalty minutes.

NHL Camps
Mason McDonald (Calgary) - McDonald left yesterday for Calgary and will be playing with the Flames at a rookie tournament in B.C. First game is Friday versus Winnipeg Jets

Ryan MacKinnon (Buffalo) - MacKinnon and the Sabres are taking part in the Traverse City Prospects Tournament which gets underway tomorrow and will run until Sept. 16.

Ross Johnston (New York Islanders) - Johnston will take part in the New York Islanders' rookie camp which begins Friday and will run until Sept. 17.

Alexandre Goulet (Montreal) - Goulet will be with the Montreal Canadiens rookie camp from Sept. 12 to 16.

Mike DiPaolo (Columbus) - DiPaolo is also taking in the Traverse City Prospects Tournament which starts tomorrow.

Oliver Cooper (Colorado) - Cooper will take part in Colorado's rookie camp which begins Sept. 15 and will run until Sept. 17. It's not known if Cooper will be available for this weekend.