Prince Edward Island’s men’s hockey players were asked Sunday what they are going to bring to the table this week at the Canada Games.
“To a man, each guy said they wanted to be the hardest working player we have,” coach Luke Beck said Sunday following the team’s first practice.
“We want to be the hardest working team. I know every team here is going to say that, but we truly believe with the type of character that we have in our room that the guys are going to work hard whether we’re up, whether we’re down, whether it’s even.
“They’re going to give everything they have.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT TEAM P.E.I. AT THE CANADA GAMES
The Island squad kicks off the Games tonight against the Yukon. Elmsdale’s Luke Oliver will be the starting goalie while St. Peter’s Bay’s Noah Laybolt gets the call Monday against the Northwest Territories.
“They’re both good young goalies,” Beck said. “They’re athletic and they both will compete after every puck.”
Summerside’s Carson MacKinnon is the captain while North Rustico’s Carson MacManaman and Summerside’s Jeremy McKenna are the assistants.
“After a couple of years of hard work, it’s finally good to get here,” said MacKinnon, who plays with the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, Sask. “It’s going to be a fun experience with a great group of guys and I am really looking forward to it.”
He said the team has to stay disciplined and capitalize on its chances this week.
“He works hard. He’s a smart kid,” Beck said of MacKinnon. “He cares about his teammates. He plays hockey the right way and is a great leader.”
The team was delayed leaving Charlottetown on Saturday and didn’t get into the athletes’ village until the wee hours of Sunday morning. After a few hours of sleep, they hit the ice Sunday for a short skate in preparation for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. Pacific game with Yukon.
Beck said anytime teams go away to tournaments there are things out of their control.
“We’ve been telling our group all week to expect the unexpected,” he said “Right off the hop they get to see it. . .
“We’re here, we’re smiling, we’ll work hard and have fun.”
Need to know
Some information about the Island’s men’s hockey team at the Canada Games in Prince George, B.C.
Motto – Small Island Big Heart.
Leadership team – Captain Carson MacKinnon and assistants Carson MacManaman and Jeremy McKenna.
Underage players – Noah Dobson, Chris McQuaid, Thomas Casey and Evan Gallant.
Remaining players – Ryan Boswall, Jack DesRoches, Dallas Farrell, Blake Jamieson, Noah Laybolt, Brodie MacArthur, Brechan MacLean, Brodie MacMillan, Kallum Muirhead, Luke Oliver, Tayler Read, Zach Thususka and Syl Yoston.
Staff – Coaches Luke Beck, Mark Carragher and Ryan Ramsay, director of operations Glenn Gaudet and equipment manager Bo Ford.
Quote – “They’re a real mature young group of kids. They work hard and care for each other. It’s been a real enjoyable experience.” Coach Luke Beck
Format – Prince Edward Island is in a pool with the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Newfoundland and Labrador. The top two in the pool advance to a sudden-death qualification round with the fourth place team in the other pools. The winners advance to the quarter-finals.
Pool games
Sunday
7:30 p.m. – P.E.I. vs. Yukon.
Monday
12:30 p.m. – P.E.I. vs. Northwest Territories.
Tuesday
12:30 p.m. – P.E.I. vs. Newfoundland and Labrador.
* All times are Pacific
Prince Edward Island’s men’s hockey players were asked Sunday what they are going to bring to the table this week at the Canada Games.
“To a man, each guy said they wanted to be the hardest working player we have,” coach Luke Beck said Sunday following the team’s first practice.
“We want to be the hardest working team. I know every team here is going to say that, but we truly believe with the type of character that we have in our room that the guys are going to work hard whether we’re up, whether we’re down, whether it’s even.
“They’re going to give everything they have.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT TEAM P.E.I. AT THE CANADA GAMES
The Island squad kicks off the Games tonight against the Yukon. Elmsdale’s Luke Oliver will be the starting goalie while St. Peter’s Bay’s Noah Laybolt gets the call Monday against the Northwest Territories.
“They’re both good young goalies,” Beck said. “They’re athletic and they both will compete after every puck.”
Summerside’s Carson MacKinnon is the captain while North Rustico’s Carson MacManaman and Summerside’s Jeremy McKenna are the assistants.
“After a couple of years of hard work, it’s finally good to get here,” said MacKinnon, who plays with the Notre Dame Hounds in Wilcox, Sask. “It’s going to be a fun experience with a great group of guys and I am really looking forward to it.”
He said the team has to stay disciplined and capitalize on its chances this week.
“He works hard. He’s a smart kid,” Beck said of MacKinnon. “He cares about his teammates. He plays hockey the right way and is a great leader.”
The team was delayed leaving Charlottetown on Saturday and didn’t get into the athletes’ village until the wee hours of Sunday morning. After a few hours of sleep, they hit the ice Sunday for a short skate in preparation for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. Pacific game with Yukon.
Beck said anytime teams go away to tournaments there are things out of their control.
“We’ve been telling our group all week to expect the unexpected,” he said “Right off the hop they get to see it. . .
“We’re here, we’re smiling, we’ll work hard and have fun.”
Need to know
Some information about the Island’s men’s hockey team at the Canada Games in Prince George, B.C.
Motto – Small Island Big Heart.
Leadership team – Captain Carson MacKinnon and assistants Carson MacManaman and Jeremy McKenna.
Underage players – Noah Dobson, Chris McQuaid, Thomas Casey and Evan Gallant.
Remaining players – Ryan Boswall, Jack DesRoches, Dallas Farrell, Blake Jamieson, Noah Laybolt, Brodie MacArthur, Brechan MacLean, Brodie MacMillan, Kallum Muirhead, Luke Oliver, Tayler Read, Zach Thususka and Syl Yoston.
Staff – Coaches Luke Beck, Mark Carragher and Ryan Ramsay, director of operations Glenn Gaudet and equipment manager Bo Ford.
Quote – “They’re a real mature young group of kids. They work hard and care for each other. It’s been a real enjoyable experience.” Coach Luke Beck
Format – Prince Edward Island is in a pool with the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Newfoundland and Labrador. The top two in the pool advance to a sudden-death qualification round with the fourth place team in the other pools. The winners advance to the quarter-finals.
Pool games
Sunday
7:30 p.m. – P.E.I. vs. Yukon.
Monday
12:30 p.m. – P.E.I. vs. Northwest Territories.
Tuesday
12:30 p.m. – P.E.I. vs. Newfoundland and Labrador.
* All times are Pacific
