Dream come true

The Charlottetown Islanders’ top pick says he has a wellrounded game.

“I’m a 200-foot player. I play a fast game but also a really offensive game,” said Sam Oliver. “I like to set up players but put the puck in the net as well and take care of my D zone.”

The Islanders selected the Quispmasis, N.B., native 27th overall in Saturday’s Quebec Major Junior Hockey League draft after trading back five spots in the second round to add more picks.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamt of playing in the Q,” Oliver said. “It’s a real special feeling.”

The five-foot-10, 177pound centre played at Rothesay Netherwood School in New Brunswick last season, tallying 44 points, including 25 goals, in 40 games.

Central scouting had him ranked 40th overall.

“We think he fits our identity and DNA to a tee,” Islanders’ head coach and general manager Jim Hulton said.

“He has a track record of scoring,” he added, noting his back-to-back 25-goal seasons.

“We think he (plays a) similar style to a Brett Budgell.”

Oliver had options open to him south of the border but has committed to the Islanders.

“It was a really tough choice,” he said. “I spoke with (the Islanders’ staff) many times over the last month and they really, really (played) a big part of that decision.”

Saint John, N.B., native Matt Bursey, who played with the P.E.I. Rocket/Islanders’ organization from 2011-14, coached Oliver in his first year of bantam.

“Isles fans you’re getting a beauty here!” he tweeted. “Great attitude and work ethic. Oh, and one of his biggest assets is his missle. #puresniper.”

Shortly after the Islanders drafted Oliver, they dug deep into the draft cupboard to get the assets to acquire overage goalie Colten Ellis from the Rimouski Oceanic. Oliver and Ellis are both represented by the same agency and have attended camps together.

“I think Charlottetown has a really good chance of winning the championship,” Oliver said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

The Islanders then took a pair of Quebec defencemen

in the fourth round. They selected Angus (Gus) Booth, who is the younger brother of former Quebec and Saint John goalie Callum Booth, at 60. Hulton said he reminded the staff of current Isles’ blueliner Will Trudeau.

“Al Cusson, our Quebec head scout, has absolutely loved him. He’s been talking about him since Christmas,” he said.

Booth was paired with Michael Mastrodomenico, who went ninth overall to Shawinigan, for much of the season for Laval-Montreal of the Quebec midget AAA league. Booth is described as a solid, steady defender with offensive upside.

“The way he thinks the game was really intriguing to our guys,” Hulton said.