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.