CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Charlottetown Islanders have caught the attention of people across the country.
The squad is an honourable mention on this week’s Kia CHL Top 10 list, which is comprised by a panel of NHL scouts.
“It’s nice for our players to get the recognition for their hard work and how well they’re playing,” Islanders head coach Jim Hulton said. “I’m not a big fan of the in-season top 10 because our goal is to be No. 1 in May.”
Rouyn-Noranda is the highest of five Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) teams on the list. Drummondville (fifth), Moncton (eighth), Halifax (ninth) and Baie-Comeau (10th) are the others.
“It’s great that we’re an honourable mention, the only bad part is that three teams in our conference are ahead of us,” Hulton said.
The WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders and the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s are the first and second teams, respectively, on the list.
The Islanders are joined by the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Moose Jaw Warriors as the three honourable mentions.
Charlottetown was 17-7-2-1 and fourth in the QMJHL’s 10-team Eastern Conference before Thursday’s action. The Isles are 14-2-1-1 since starting the season 3-5-1-0.
Charlottetown travels to Moncton tonight for their first game since the Wildcats moved into the brand new Avenir Centre.