Matthew Grouchy has spent three years away from home developing his skills

Matthew Grouchy left home when he was 13 years old to pursue hockey.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but one the Labrador City, N.L., youngster made with his parents that he said is now paying dividends after three years of playing stronger competition in Ontario.

“I knew if I wanted to develop then it would be better if I left,” Grouchy said. “The first few weeks are always the hardest, but after a while you get closer to your friends at school and your teammates and you just learn to love it.”

He attended the Canadian International Hockey Academy (CIHA) near Ottawa for three seasons.

The centre was a bit off the radar for Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams because he was playing out of the region.

At the 2015 draft, then Charlottetown Islanders general manager Grant Sonier and his staff decided to draft the forward in the sixth round (101st overall).

He attended camp that summer, but left in time to maintain his NCAA eligibility.

He was back in Pownal this summer and decided to commit to the Islanders, despite having some options south of the border.

Grouchy said he always wanted to play in the United States, but decided Charlottetown was the place for him to develop his skills. Having played for Islanders associate coach Guy Girouard at CIHA was a big plus working in the Isles favour.

“I know Guy really well. He was a big help in signing,” Grouchy said. “I enjoy the city. I enjoy P.E.I. a lot.”

General manager and head coach Jim Hulton said Girouard’s input in signing Grouchy was invaluable.

“He’s got a built-in rapport, not only with Matthew, but also with the family. There’s a trust level there that’s very important when you’re making a decision like this,” Hulton said.

He envisions Grouchy starting out on the fourth line and killing penalties but with the potential to take on larger roles. He pointed to chemistry he had playing with OHLer Gabe Vilardi as a sign Grouchy thinks the game at a high level.

“He’s that gritty, kind of scrappy, hard-to-play-against guy we keep talking about wanting in our lineup,” Hulton said. “We like to think that he’s going to contribute this year, but he’s also part of that core group of ‘99s that’s going to be here for three years.”

That group includes goalie Matthew Welsh, defencemen Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Saku Vesterinen and forwards Shawn Boudrias and Carl Gervais.

Grouchy said he sees himself as a 200-foot player, who is a playmaker that can shoot the puck.

“I like to slow down the play, look for options,” he said.

Grouchy was off the ice for a couple of weeks with an upper body injury. He returned to the ice this week, initially with a yellow jersey to indicate no contact and then was cleared for full contact.

With the Islanders starting their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League regular season at home on Friday, Sept. 23, he said, it was good to get back on the ice in time to get up to speed before game day.

The move from Ottawa to Charlottetown is a bit closer to home, but by no means close. He’s about a 14- to 16-hour drive to Labardor City, but he’s happy with his decision to leave home.

“I don't regret it at all,” he said. “They were the best three years of my life. I played hockey every day, I got my schooling done and made friends.”