Alex McQuaid will be living out a dream next week when he pulls on the Charlottetown Islanders jersey at training camp.
The 19-year-old defenceman was acquired for a 10th-round pick Wednesday in a deal with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
"When you're a kid thinking about playing in the (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), you always dream about putting on your hometown jersey, so it's going to be awesome," he said. "I couldn't be more happy."
McQuaid started last year with the Saint John Sea Dogs. He was traded to the Quebec Remparts in training camp and to Chicoutimi at the trade deadline in January.
In his 54-game sophomore season, the six-foot-two, 205-pound blue-liner had two assists and 84 penalty minutes.
It's "no secret it wasn't a very good year, personally, for me," said McQuaid, who described himself as a physical, shutdown defenceman.
"I am very excited that Charlottetown was able to give me another chance. I can't wait to prove them right."
Islanders general manager Grant Sonier said McQuaid brings experience, size and toughness to the team.
"He's had some great battles against us."
Charlottetown's returning blue-liners include Thompson, Luc Deschenes and David Henley while Dexter Weber and Guillaume Rioux-Legault are battling for overage spots.
"We're still pretty young on the back end, so if he can bring some experience in and help with the youth of our back end then it'll be a win-win for us," Sonier said. "I'm excited to see what he can bring to the table."
During McQuaid's rookie season in 2013-14, he was teammates with current Islanders Thompson and Oliver Cooper. He also grew up playing against Kameron Kielly and Daryl MacCallum.
He won't have long to wait to meet his new teammates.
Training camp begins Monday at the Pownal Sports Centre with fitness testing back in Charlottetown. The Islanders announced their schedule for the first week of training camp on Wednesday.
McQuaid said he has to prove himself to his new team and earn a spot on the roster.
"I am really excited to get things going. I can't wait," he said. "I have to show them what I can do, what I have been training for all summer."
A look at the 2015 Charlottetown Islanders schedule for the first week of training camp at the Pownal Sports Centre.
(All times are subject to change)
Tuesday, Aug. 11
9 to 10 a.m. – Group A practice .
10:15 to 10:45 a.m. – Goalie session.
11 a.m. to noon – Group B practice.
6 to 8 p.m. – Intersquad game.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
9 to 10 a.m. – Group B practice
10:15 to 10:45 a.m. – Goalie session.
11 a.m. to noon – Group A practice.
6 to 8 p.m. – Intersquad game.
Thursday, Aug. 13
9 to 10 a.m. – Group A Practice
10:15 to 10:45 a.m. – Goalie Session
11 a.m. to noon – Group B Practice
6 to 8 p.m. – Intersquad Game
Friday, Aug. 14
7 p.m. – Exhibition game at Acadie Bathurst Titan.
Saturday, Aug. 15
4 p.m. – Exhibition game vs. Saint John Sea Dogs at Pownal Sports Centre.
Training camp roster:
A look at the Charlottetown Islanders training camp roster.
Goaltenders
Guillaume Briere
Oliver Chalifour
Daryl MacCallum
Mason McDonald
Matthew Welsh
Defencemen
Jesse Annear
David Comeau
Luc Deschenes
Jack Desroches
Ryan Gillam
David Henley
Alex McQuaid
Pierre-OliverJoseph
Mathieu Rego
Dominic Reid
Guillaume Rioux-Legault
Lucas Sangster
Andrew Smith
Will Thompson
Dexter Weber
Forwards
Mitchell Balmas
Shawn Boudrais
Kyler Carter
Chris Chaddock
Fiip Chlapik
Oliver Cooper
Elio Di Meo
Ian Drysdale
Johnny Foley
Carl Gervais
Keith Getson
Alexandre Goulet
Brady Griffin-Hefford
Matthew Grouchy
Samuel Guilbault
Mathieu Jones
Brad Kennedy
Kameron Kielly
Hunter McIntyre
Quinn O'Brien
Alex McQuaid will be living out a dream next week when he pulls on the Charlottetown Islanders jersey at training camp.
The 19-year-old defenceman was acquired for a 10th-round pick Wednesday in a deal with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens.
"When you're a kid thinking about playing in the (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), you always dream about putting on your hometown jersey, so it's going to be awesome," he said. "I couldn't be more happy."
McQuaid started last year with the Saint John Sea Dogs. He was traded to the Quebec Remparts in training camp and to Chicoutimi at the trade deadline in January.
In his 54-game sophomore season, the six-foot-two, 205-pound blue-liner had two assists and 84 penalty minutes.
It's "no secret it wasn't a very good year, personally, for me," said McQuaid, who described himself as a physical, shutdown defenceman.
"I am very excited that Charlottetown was able to give me another chance. I can't wait to prove them right."
Islanders general manager Grant Sonier said McQuaid brings experience, size and toughness to the team.
"He's had some great battles against us."
Charlottetown's returning blue-liners include Thompson, Luc Deschenes and David Henley while Dexter Weber and Guillaume Rioux-Legault are battling for overage spots.
"We're still pretty young on the back end, so if he can bring some experience in and help with the youth of our back end then it'll be a win-win for us," Sonier said. "I'm excited to see what he can bring to the table."
During McQuaid's rookie season in 2013-14, he was teammates with current Islanders Thompson and Oliver Cooper. He also grew up playing against Kameron Kielly and Daryl MacCallum.
He won't have long to wait to meet his new teammates.
Training camp begins Monday at the Pownal Sports Centre with fitness testing back in Charlottetown. The Islanders announced their schedule for the first week of training camp on Wednesday.
McQuaid said he has to prove himself to his new team and earn a spot on the roster.
"I am really excited to get things going. I can't wait," he said. "I have to show them what I can do, what I have been training for all summer."
A look at the 2015 Charlottetown Islanders schedule for the first week of training camp at the Pownal Sports Centre.
(All times are subject to change)
Tuesday, Aug. 11
9 to 10 a.m. – Group A practice .
10:15 to 10:45 a.m. – Goalie session.
11 a.m. to noon – Group B practice.
6 to 8 p.m. – Intersquad game.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
9 to 10 a.m. – Group B practice
10:15 to 10:45 a.m. – Goalie session.
11 a.m. to noon – Group A practice.
6 to 8 p.m. – Intersquad game.
Thursday, Aug. 13
9 to 10 a.m. – Group A Practice
10:15 to 10:45 a.m. – Goalie Session
11 a.m. to noon – Group B Practice
6 to 8 p.m. – Intersquad Game
Friday, Aug. 14
7 p.m. – Exhibition game at Acadie Bathurst Titan.
Saturday, Aug. 15
4 p.m. – Exhibition game vs. Saint John Sea Dogs at Pownal Sports Centre.
Training camp roster:
A look at the Charlottetown Islanders training camp roster.
Goaltenders
Guillaume Briere
Oliver Chalifour
Daryl MacCallum
Mason McDonald
Matthew Welsh
Defencemen
Jesse Annear
David Comeau
Luc Deschenes
Jack Desroches
Ryan Gillam
David Henley
Alex McQuaid
Pierre-OliverJoseph
Mathieu Rego
Dominic Reid
Guillaume Rioux-Legault
Lucas Sangster
Andrew Smith
Will Thompson
Dexter Weber
Forwards
Mitchell Balmas
Shawn Boudrais
Kyler Carter
Chris Chaddock
Fiip Chlapik
Oliver Cooper
Elio Di Meo
Ian Drysdale
Johnny Foley
Carl Gervais
Keith Getson
Alexandre Goulet
Brady Griffin-Hefford
Matthew Grouchy
Samuel Guilbault
Mathieu Jones
Brad Kennedy
Kameron Kielly
Hunter McIntyre
Quinn O'Brien
