Hunter Drew heading for the AHL

Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Hunter Drew, right, celebrates a goal with teammate Daniel Hardie during the 2018-19 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League regular season. - Jason Malloy

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Hunter Drew had three assists in 42 games as a rookie walk-on three years ago with the Charlottetown Islanders.

Today he leaves for San Diego, Calif., to begin his pro career with the AHL’s Gulls.

Islanders head coach Jim Hulton made the announced at Tuesday’s year-end award ceremony. It evoked the loudest applause of the night that lasted 22 seconds.

“Same reception he got the other night in Cape Breton,” Hulton joked.

Drew is a player that was beloved inside the Islanders dressing room. A guy who would stick up and protect his teammates while being a strong contributor at both ends of the rink.

The qualities that endeared him to hockey fans in this province, made him Public Enemy No. 1 in visiting rinks on many nights during the past two Quebec Major Junior Hockey League seasons.

“He plays the game with a bit of a throwback style and I think people really, really appreciated what he brought,” Hulton said.

Drew was drafted in the sixth round by the Anaheim Ducks a year ago as a 19-year-old. They have until June 1 to sign him or he becomes a free agent. He will play the remainder of the season on an amateur tryout. The move will reunite him with former Isles teammate Alex Dostie, who played here during the 2016-17 run to the league semifinal.

Drew was a role player on that star-studded squad, often being a healthy scratch down the stretch.

He went home during the off-season and worked to get better. He came back and became a physical shutdown defenceman with a booming shot.

Drew said he owed a lot to the coaching staff of Guy Girouard and Brad MacKenzie but particularly Hulton, who he described as his biggest supporter.

“He saw something in me that pretty well nobody else did – at all. Obviously, I am forever grateful for that,” he said.

The Kingston, Ont., native said he has spent more time in Charlottetown than in his hometown and while his junior hockey career here has ended, he will be back to visit.

“It’s unbelievable to have had the opportunity to (play) here. It’s bittersweet leaving. I love it here,” he said.

The fans’ reaction Tuesday night hit Drew hard. He said a lot of people cheer for the Isles on the ice but being in the room with them Tuesday at the Rodd Charlottetown sent a strong message.

“It’s really nice to have everyone support me and care about me like that,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words how much this place means to me.”

Hulton said he spoke to Drew during an exit meeting Wednesday.

“I don't even think he fully understands the impact and the . . . legacy he’s left,” he said. “I said, ‘You're a fan favourite and you’re going to be remembered here for a long, long time’.”

Drew said he was fortunate to play with great players and to be paired with Brendon Clavelle for much of the past two seasons.

“He helped me so much. Nights where maybe I didn't have it, he was saving me,” he said. “There’s a lot I could thank him for. He’s let me grow as much I’ve kind of let him grow.”

Drew is a no-nonsense kind of guy. He calls it like it is and wanted the community to know the culture is strong inside the Islanders organization.

“Charlottetown is a bit different because it’s more of an open policy. Other teams, there’s kids that are scared of their coaches and they’d never talk to them, but those three guys are approachable about anything,” he said. “I’ll never ever forget them.”

There’s another thing he’s proud of.

“We built a family here,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of teams, a lot of people, that say that, but it’s not true. You ask guys that leave this team and guys who come in, they say there’s nothing like it.”