Brett Budgell leading by example in QMJHL
Paradise’s Brett Budgell has a knack for coming through in the clutch for his Charlottetown Islanders
When the games matter the most, Brett Budgell rises to the occasion.
The Paradise native and captain of the Charlottetown Islanders has scored nine goals in his 27 career playoff games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey. Five of them have been game-winners.
“I think I certainly get up for those big games and I want to be the player in those situations,” Budgell said. “This is my favourite time of year. …
“I think I’ve rose to the occasion before, and I hope I can do it again in the future.”
The Islanders begin their best-of-five semifinal today with the Victoriaville Tigres. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Atlantic.
Budgell’s heroics began in his rookie season with the Islanders. He joined the team at Christmastime after starting the season in the United States Hockey League. As a 16-year-old he scored 10 goals and had 22 points in 32 regular season games.
He scored the winner in Game 5 against Quebec in the first round of the playoffs and sent Charlottetown fans home victorious with the overtime winner in Game 3 against the Blainville-boisbriand Armada in the semifinal.
“He jumped in and made such an immediate impact, on that playoff run in particular that year, that you knew you had something special as a talent,” head coach Jim Hulton said.
Budgell had the OT winner in Game 1 of the 2019 first round series with Cape Breton.
He potted the winning goals in the opener and clincher of their three-game sweep of the Acadie-bathurst Titan in this year’s quarter-final in Shawinigan, Que.
“I think a lot of guys can get stressed out over the playoffs and maybe hold the stick too tight or overthink our system,” Budgell said. “For me, being calm on the bench and in the locker room is something I try to help other guys with.”
It’s that mature, steady, calm approach that comes up often when discussing Budgell with those who see him every day.
“He’s always been a leader,” said Brendan Mccarthy, who has known Budgell for more than half of his life, dating back to travel teams in atom in Newfoundland.
“There were no surprises at how good of a leader he was this year.”
Mccarthy joined the Islanders in training camp, and one of the things that struck him early was there were no cliques inside the room. The veterans and rookies got along as well as the French and English guys. It’s not always the case, but Mccarthy believes internal leadership is a big part of that.
“He pulls everyone together,” Mccarthy said of Budgell.
“Just kind of setting the example that we’re a team, we’re not a bunch of little groups. We’re all one team.”
Budgell has been tagged as a captain in waiting since his first season in Charlottetown. He received the C to begin the season and has handled a unique season with aplomb.
Budgell is not known as a big rah-rah guy who gives speeches in the room to fire up his charges, but when he speaks up with a direct, firm message, it resonates.
“He definitely leads by example, but when stuff has to be said, he’s not afraid to say it,” said Charlottetown’s Thomas Casey, who, along with Budgell, is one of the lone holdovers from the team that went to the 2018 semifinals.
Budgell lived with Casey and his family this season.
“My family has thoroughly enjoyed having him around,” Casey said. “The old saying is when you’re brought up around terrific people, you become one yourself, so I think he represents his family well.”
Budgell, who turns 20 on June 1, has had his best offensive season of his four-year major junior career with 58 points in 40 games, finishing third in league scoring. He has flown a bit under the radar with his linemates, overage wingers Cédric Desruisseaux and Casey, finishing one-two in the scoring race and 16 points ahead of him.
“Cedric and I have loved playing with him. You look at his numbers and they’re unreal,” Casey said. “I think people are really starting to realize now with his breakout (season) and playoffs and the offensive touch that he actually has is special.”
Budgell can return for another year of junior, but he isn’t thinking about that right now. He knows what’s left for him to accomplish.
“For me, I just want to win a championship,” he said. “At the end of the day I definitely want to win, and I want to win here in Charlottetown. If I can win a President Cup that would certainly make my junior career.”