Staying put
Keiran Gallant earns spot with Islanders
Keiran Gallant has made the Charlottetown Islanders for the upcoming season.
The 17-year-old forward from Covehead was signed by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) team Thursday morning.
“It’s a dream come true,” he said Thursday. “I didn’t know want to expect (entering camp) but it looks like it turned out pretty good.”
Gallant was one of the team’s pleasant surprises out of rookie camp. He joined top draft picks in moving on to main camp after Saturday night’s cuts.
Islanders’ head coach and general manager said there was no drop-off in Gallant’s game when competing with the veterans or with some of the Island pros who practised this week with the team.
With school starting next week, Hulton and associate coach Guy Girouard decided to make Gallant’s spot on the team official.
“It’s pretty obvious to all of us that this kid was going to be here, so let’s go ahead and take the burden off his shoulders,” he said. “Every scrimmage, every game, every practice, he jumped (out by) doing something positive. He’s tenacious, he’s resilient, he’s quick.”
Gallant will return to Charlottetown Rural High School. Had he not made the Islanders, he was heading to Truro, N.S., after being the Bearcats’ firstround pick (sixth overall) in the Maritime Junior Hockey League draft.
The Islanders made 11 selections in the 2018 QMJHL draft. Gallant was their second-to-last selection – a 13th-rounder, 226th overall. Only 25 players were selected after Gallant came off the board.
Hulton said at the draft table the team’s scouts said Gallant “gets after it and he can skate.” When he arrived in camp for the first time in 2018, the assessment was spot on.
Gallant went to the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild major midgets and was a key piece to the team that made it to the Atlantic final at UPEI. He had 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points in 35 regular season games.
“I got lots of chances with the Wild,” said the five-foot-nine, 153-pound forward. “It was a good year and a good confidence booster with lots of good players there.”
He followed it up by training and working with Andrews Hockey Growth Programs.
“I’ve basically been living at the rink all summer,” he said. “That was helpful.”
The Islanders are making a name for themselves of giving players opportunities in camp regardless of the birth certificate, size or where they were drafted.
Zac Beauregard made last year’s team after being selected in the 10th round (180th overall) in the 2017 draft.
“He’s this year’s version of Zac Beauregard because he came in and earned it on merit. He’s not a guy that was penciled in prior to camp,” Hulton said. “He’s an identity guy that we admire.”
Goalie Chad Arsenault is attending junior A camp with the Valley Wildcats but hasn’t been officially released by the Islanders. He had to go to camp in order to try to secure a spot there if he doesn’t make the Islanders’ roster.
The Islanders’ roster is nearly settled with the lone remaining position battle appearing to be the third overage spot. Kevin Gursoy and Will Sirman are battling for the spot. The team committed to Welsh and defenceman Brendon Clavelle at the end of last season.
Four Islanders are heading to NHL camps. They include draft picks Nikita Alexandrov (St. Louis) and Xavier Bernard (New Jersey) as well as invitees Welsh (Buffalo) and Thomas Casey (Detroit).
Gallant grew up watching the P.E.I. Rocket and Islanders and, in particular, local players like Josh Currie and Kameron Kielly. He could be the example for the next generation of Island youngsters aspiring to play junior hockey in their home province.
“It’s hard to believe (I could) be seen as one of those guys, but I am looking forward to it for sure,” he said.