The Telegram (St. John's)

Islanders sign promising N.L. goaltendin­g prospect

Charlottet­own add goalie who put up impressive numbers in junior A

- JASON SIMMONDS SALTWIRE jason.simmonds @theguardia­n.pe.ca @Jpsportsja­son

The Charlottet­own Islanders have added a goaltender they believe will be a big part of the team’s future.

Donald Hickey signed with the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) franchise recently and is anxious to begin the next chapter of his promising hockey career.

“It’s awesome,” Hickey told Saltwire in a phone interview. “I’m speechless, really.

“It’s an honour to be signed by a major junior team and it shows how hard I worked, and I proved to people I am able to do it. I’m super excited to get started.”

The Islanders drafted Hickey in the fourth round, 63rd overall, in the 2023 QMJHL Entry Draft. Hickey, from O’donnells, St. Mary’s Bay, N.L., played junior A hockey in Ontario with the Cornwall Colts this past season.

The Summerside D. Alex Macdonald Ford Western Capitals also drafted Hickey in the ninth round, 97th overall, of the 2023 MHL Entry Draft.

As a 16-year-old playing in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL), Hickey, who turns 17 in June, posted a record of 17-8-0 (wonlost-overtime losses), two shutouts, a 2.36 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.

POST-SEASON

Hickey’s playoff numbers were just as impressive with the Colts – 2-3-1 record, 2.05 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.

“Because he had such a good year in a league that gets heavily scouted by the NCAA, we knew we were going to have some competitio­n, so we wanted (Hickey signed) sooner rather than later for a number of reasons,” said Islanders GM and head coach Jim Hulton. “Most importantl­y, when you look at what we are trying to build around, that ’06, ’07 age group, this is another key ingredient.”

Hickey attended the Islanders’ training camp briefly in August 2023 but left early to maintain his NCAA eligibilit­y. But the Islanders were not deterred, continued to follow Hickey closely and that did not go unnoticed.

“The main thing for me is to go somewhere where you are most wanted and people who show the most interest in you,” said Hickey. “Jim and the coaching staff and the Islanders have been showing lots of love for me this whole year.”

Hickey also talked to two current Islanders’ players — defenceman Marcus Kearsey and forward Matthew Butler — who are also from Newfoundla­nd and Labrador.

“I was talking to them throughout the year and asking questions about the team,” said Hickey, who added Kearsey and Butler did a good sell job on the organizati­on.

STYLE

Asked to describe his style of play, the 185-pound Hickey answered, “I’m a 5-11-anda-half, six-foot goaltender, very excellent feet, excellent hand-eye (co-ordination), am always tracking the puck and I like to play aggressive, come out and challenge the play a lot.”

Hickey said, on the ice, his goal coming to the Islanders is to play his game, have a good rookie season and help the team win. Off the ice, Hickey also has something he’s looking forward to in P.E.I.

“I’m excited to try out some potatoes out when I get over there,” added Hickey.

 ?? JASON MALLOY • SALTWIRE ?? Goaltender Donald Hickey, 31, played for Newfoundla­nd and Labrador during the 2023 Canada Winter Games in P.E.I. The Charlottet­own Islanders of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) recently signed Hickey.
JASON MALLOY • SALTWIRE Goaltender Donald Hickey, 31, played for Newfoundla­nd and Labrador during the 2023 Canada Winter Games in P.E.I. The Charlottet­own Islanders of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) recently signed Hickey.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada