CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Trevor Stienburg has recruited hundreds of young men to play for his Saint Mary’s men’s hockey team during his 23 years behind the bench of the Huskies.
But one of next year’s recruits is different for many reasons.
Matthew Welsh is a superb goalie, student and young man who has been like a brother to Stienburg’s son, also Matthew, for most of their lives.
“With Matthew, it’s probably a little more special because I had the little squirt in my house when he was a little kid,” Stienburg said. “He is what you guys think he is, and we’re loving it. Matt is a wonderful, wonderful person and player and we’re really happy that he’s decided to come and play here.”
The Stienburgs’ home was right behind the Welsh’s in Halifax as the boys grew up.
“We spent a lot of time in each others’ backyard and walked to school together every day,” Welsh said of him and the younger Stienburg. “We’re family.”
The two were a year apart in hockey and two years in school. They last played together in bantam. Welsh played a year of major midget and has spent the past five seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League while Matthew Stienburg is in his freshmen season at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. The 19-year-old forward was the first pick of the third round by the Colorado Avalanche at the 2019 NHL draft.
Welsh committed to Saint Mary’s in October, not wanting it to impact his overage season with the Islanders and knowing it was a great fit.
“Growing up, I always knew if I had the opportunity, Saint Mary’s would be the school and I was proud to commit there,” he said. “(Stienburg and I are) pretty close and he’s got a great program at Saint Mary’s, so it was really nice to commit there.”
It will also allow the 20-year-old to play in his hometown and with his older brother, Nick, for the first time in his life. The 22-year-old defenceman entered Friday’s games as the third-leading scorer in the Atlantic University Sport conference with 34 points in 24 games. He is in his second season with the Huskies after a five-year junior career spent in Shawinigan, Que., and Moncton.
The door is open for Welsh to come in and start right away with the Huskies.
Former Islanders goalie Eric Brassard will graduate this year and is expected to turn pro while Marc Terriault is graduating and will become a goalie coach, leaving second-year Xavier Potvin as the only returnee for next season.
Welsh is in his third year of his business degree at UPEI. He plans on getting a double major in finance and accounting but acknowledged he will speak with the academic adviser at Saint Mary’s before setting anything in stone.
Welsh will see a number of familiar faces inside the Huskies dressing room next season.
Former teammate Keith Getson, Sam King and Mitchell Balmas are all in their first season while Welsh worked the Huskies hockey camp last summer and got to meet the rest of the team.
“It’s going to be awesome and, hopefully, a pretty easy transition.”
Balmas is also looking forward to having Welsh on his side.
“Thank God, the only time I’ll be shooting against him is in practice,” he said.
Need to know
Matthew Welsh
Who – A 20-year-old goalie from Halifax.
Team – Welsh has spent his entire five-year Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) career with the Charlottetown Islanders.
Statistics
Season W L GAA SAV%
2015-16 12 13 3.20 .904
2016-17 24 14 3.24 .899
2017-18 31 22 2.76 .907
2018-19 32 24 2.90 .902
2019-20 17 18 2.98 .896
Career 116 91 2.98 .902
Did you know? Welsh was scheduled to play in his 210th career game in the QMJHL Friday in Saint John, N.B. It would move him into sole possession of fifth place in the league record book. Ryan Mior, who played for the P.E.I. Rocket and Gatineau Olympiques, holds the record of 239.
Related links:
• Matthew Welsh starts final season seeking to bring championship to Charlottetown
• Matthew Welsh is complete package for Charlottetown Islanders
