It’s that time again

Islanders open training camp for new QMJHL season

Hockey was in the warm August air as the Charlottetown Islanders began training camp Monday in Charlottetown.

Fitness testing was on the menu as Quebec Major Junior Hockey League hopefuls and veterans went through, among other tests, running, vertical jumping and lateral movement drills to gauge how they fared over the spring and summer.

Today, the club hits the ice in Pownal for the first on-ice sessions. Practices are open to the public, and begin at 11:30 a.m.

But Monday, dryland work started the drive for better results, personally and teamwise, for defenceman PierreOlivier Joseph.

Last year, Joseph had a solid rookie season, finishing with eight points and a plus-2 plusminus ratio in 48 games after not getting into the lineup as regular until November.

Monday, it was all about improvement for the 17-yearold Chambray, Que., native.

“We have to be better than last year. We want to bring the team as far as possible,” said Joseph, who had two points in 12 playoff games last season. “I’m more comfortable than last year.”

That’s likely good news for Isles head coach Jim Hulton. The second-year coach oversaw the action and sees value in the testing.

“For the returning guys, we can see that they’re stronger, faster and better than they were before. And see how close the new guys are to the standards the veterans have set,” said Hulton. “We can identify areas for the guys that make the team to work on before the season starts.”

Last year, the Isles went into the second round for the second straight season, eventually losing in six games to Shawinigan.

This season, with Daniel Sprong recovering from shoulder surgery, Mason McDonald moving on and possibility Samuel Blais not returning, the Isles present a much younger face to start the season.

As a counter, Hulton, who’s also the team’s general manager, nabbed defenceman Guillaume Brisebois, 19; goaltender Blade Mann-Dixon, 19, and overage defenceman Cody Donaghey in trades.

“I think it’s going to be a mix. We have to guard against being too young. I think we can compete with anyone in the league, but we have to go out and prove that,” he said

Joseph can relate. Last year, he didn’t expect to draw a regular shift and did, and now he’s eyeing more playing time, although he knows ice time, and a top-two pairing, has to be earned.

“We’ll see. It’s the team first. You need to prove yourself in every game and in every practice. It all depends on how hard I work.”

Today, an inter-squad game goes at 7 p.m.

The first pre-season game is Wednesday versus the Moncton Wildcats in Pownal Game time is 7 p.m.

In other league action Sunday, Allister Smith was 3-for-3 to help the Stratford P.E.I. Brewing Company Athletics defeat the Peakes Tee Bombers 4-3.

Corey Dougay recorded the win while Dillon Doucette was tagged with the loss in relief of starter Rob Phelan.

Matt Bradley went 3-for-4 for Peakes.