Keith Getson grew up watching the Halifax Mooseheads.
Tonight the Charlottetown Islanders rookie will play them at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
“They were pretty much my hometown team when I was growing up, but not any more,” the Bridgewater, N.S., native said before Thursday’s practice. “Tomorrow is going to be a big game for me. I am going to come out flying.”
Friends and family will be making the roughly 90-minute drive to downtown Halifax to cheer him on from the stands.
Getson scored 50 goals in 29 games two years ago in bantam. He had 18 goals and 28 points in 29 games last year for the South Shore Mustangs in major midget.
The Islanders selected him in the third round of the 2014 draft. Getson said it was tough to slide in the draft. General manager Grant Sonier told him on draft day not to worry about where he was drafted, but what he does from that point on.
“That was exactly what I needed to hear at the time,” Getson said. “I’m not even focused on it at all because I am playing in the Q now. That’s what I wanted from the start and that was my goal.”
Coach Gordie Dwyer said the 16-year-old left-winger earned his spot out of training camp and continues to get his ice time as a player who brings energy, kills penalties and has offensive upside.
“He’s found a way to contribute night in and night out. I think work ethic is his No. 1 asset,” Dwyer said. “He’s a hard-working, character kid.”
Getson is often one of the players on the ice before practice, working to warm up the goalies. Dwyer said Getson wants to get better and is willing to put the time and effort in to get there.
“His willingness to do whatever it takes, block a shot, take a hit or make a hit for his team doesn’t go unnoticed,” the coach said.
Getson said it has been an adjustment to the faster, more physical junior hockey. One thing that has made the transition smoother has been having a familiar face in the dressing room.
Getson and fellow rookie Mitchell Balmas, a Sydney, N.S., native, have been friends for years, having played on provincial teams and in spring leagues.
“It was a lot easier having him here,” Getson said.
The two have also played together on the same line at points this season. A third Bluenoser, second-year Islander Bradley Kennedy, has also skated with them on an all-Nova Scotia line.
Getson has enjoyed his first two months in Charlottetown.
“It’s been great. It’s been everything and more than I expected,” he said. “It’s been awesome so far. We have a great group and I can’t wait to keep going.”
The Islanders are 5-3-1-1 while the Mooseheads are 2-4-1-1. Nikolaj Ehlers has returned to Halifax after attending Winnipeg Jets camp.
“He’s obviously a star player in our league and we’re well aware of his return,” Dwyer said. “We’re going to play our game but we're well aware of his offensive capabilities and what he does for Halifax’s club."
****
Keith Getson
Who – A 16-year-old Bridgewater, N.S., native playing for the Charlottetown Islanders.
Size, position – Five-foot-11, 186-pound left-winger.
Draft – Third round, 48th overall in 2014.
Statistics
Season GP G A Pts
2014-15 10 0 1 1
2013-14* 29 18 10 28
* - Played for South Shore Mustangs in the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League.
Last five, next five
A look at the Charlottetown Islanders past five games and the next five games:
Sept. 26
Charlottetown 4 Acadie-Bathurst 3
Sept. 28
Moncton 5 Charlottetown 3
Oct. 1
Saint John 5 Charlottetown 4 SO
Oct. 3
Charlottetown 3 Val-d'Or 1
Oct. 4
Rouyn-Noranda 7 Charlottetown 0
———
Tonight
Charlottetown at Halifax, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Charlottetown at Saint John, 3 p.m.
Oct. 17
Acadie-Bathurst at Charlottetown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19
Charlottetown at Acadie-Bathurst, 3 p.m.
Oct. 25
Quebec at Charlottetown, 7:30 p.m.
Keith Getson grew up watching the Halifax Mooseheads.
Tonight the Charlottetown Islanders rookie will play them at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
“They were pretty much my hometown team when I was growing up, but not any more,” the Bridgewater, N.S., native said before Thursday’s practice. “Tomorrow is going to be a big game for me. I am going to come out flying.”
Friends and family will be making the roughly 90-minute drive to downtown Halifax to cheer him on from the stands.
Getson scored 50 goals in 29 games two years ago in bantam. He had 18 goals and 28 points in 29 games last year for the South Shore Mustangs in major midget.
The Islanders selected him in the third round of the 2014 draft. Getson said it was tough to slide in the draft. General manager Grant Sonier told him on draft day not to worry about where he was drafted, but what he does from that point on.
“That was exactly what I needed to hear at the time,” Getson said. “I’m not even focused on it at all because I am playing in the Q now. That’s what I wanted from the start and that was my goal.”
Coach Gordie Dwyer said the 16-year-old left-winger earned his spot out of training camp and continues to get his ice time as a player who brings energy, kills penalties and has offensive upside.
“He’s found a way to contribute night in and night out. I think work ethic is his No. 1 asset,” Dwyer said. “He’s a hard-working, character kid.”
Getson is often one of the players on the ice before practice, working to warm up the goalies. Dwyer said Getson wants to get better and is willing to put the time and effort in to get there.
“His willingness to do whatever it takes, block a shot, take a hit or make a hit for his team doesn’t go unnoticed,” the coach said.
Getson said it has been an adjustment to the faster, more physical junior hockey. One thing that has made the transition smoother has been having a familiar face in the dressing room.
Getson and fellow rookie Mitchell Balmas, a Sydney, N.S., native, have been friends for years, having played on provincial teams and in spring leagues.
“It was a lot easier having him here,” Getson said.
The two have also played together on the same line at points this season. A third Bluenoser, second-year Islander Bradley Kennedy, has also skated with them on an all-Nova Scotia line.
Getson has enjoyed his first two months in Charlottetown.
“It’s been great. It’s been everything and more than I expected,” he said. “It’s been awesome so far. We have a great group and I can’t wait to keep going.”
The Islanders are 5-3-1-1 while the Mooseheads are 2-4-1-1. Nikolaj Ehlers has returned to Halifax after attending Winnipeg Jets camp.
“He’s obviously a star player in our league and we’re well aware of his return,” Dwyer said. “We’re going to play our game but we're well aware of his offensive capabilities and what he does for Halifax’s club."
****
Keith Getson
Who – A 16-year-old Bridgewater, N.S., native playing for the Charlottetown Islanders.
Size, position – Five-foot-11, 186-pound left-winger.
Draft – Third round, 48th overall in 2014.
Statistics
Season GP G A Pts
2014-15 10 0 1 1
2013-14* 29 18 10 28
* - Played for South Shore Mustangs in the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League.
Last five, next five
A look at the Charlottetown Islanders past five games and the next five games:
Sept. 26
Charlottetown 4 Acadie-Bathurst 3
Sept. 28
Moncton 5 Charlottetown 3
Oct. 1
Saint John 5 Charlottetown 4 SO
Oct. 3
Charlottetown 3 Val-d'Or 1
Oct. 4
Rouyn-Noranda 7 Charlottetown 0
———
Tonight
Charlottetown at Halifax, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Charlottetown at Saint John, 3 p.m.
Oct. 17
Acadie-Bathurst at Charlottetown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19
Charlottetown at Acadie-Bathurst, 3 p.m.
Oct. 25
Quebec at Charlottetown, 7:30 p.m.
