Change of scenery
Sullivan Sparkes leaves Charlottetown Islanders for larger role with Summerside Capitals
Sullivan Sparkes was looking for a top-six role and may have found it down the road in Summerside.
The 19-year-old Waterloo, Ont., native left the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Charlottetown Islanders on Sunday and joined the Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals on Tuesday.
Caps general manager Pat McIver sees Sparkes playing a top-six role for the Capitals (12-3-0-0), who are ranked 11th in the country and are averaging a leaguehigh five goals per game. “He’s going to add some more depth to our lineup and some more scoring and experience,” McIver said. “We feel he’s going to play a big role for us. We’re a pretty deep team now, but we feel he’s going to be able to produce for us.”
He becomes the third player from last year’s Islanders to join the Capitals. The squad also has forward Sam Meisenheimer and defenceman Noah Massie and McIver said they both spoke highly of Sparkes.
He started the season on the Islanders top line with Keith Getson and Daniel Hardie but had not been able to score and bounced around the lineup. The veteran forward, who is known for his in-your-face, agitating style, was a healthy scratch the last four games for Charlottetown. Islanders head coach and general manager Jim Hulton said Sparkes was looking for more ice time and opportunities.
“He wanted a chance to be a top-six (player), but at this juncture it’s probably at a level below,” he said. “We don’t want people that are unhappy here. It doesn’t do the group any good.”
It leaves the Islanders with 13 forwards and six defencemen with Lukas Cormier gone to the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Meanwhile in Summerside, the Capitals were a bit short-staffed. Adding Sparkes brings them to 12 forwards and five blue-liners. “It comes at a good time,” McIver said.
He expected Sparkes to make his debut Thursday in New Glasgow, N.S., against Pictou County Weeks Crushers.
The Capitals selected Sparkes in this year’s QMJHL supplementary draft. McIver said they never thought he’d be available this year but considered it a possibility for next season.
“It’s a little bit of a bonus to get him a year early,” he said.
The Islanders have retained his major junior rights.