Charlottetown Islanders defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph can’t wait to get back on skates.
He’s determined to prove management with Team Canada’s world junior squad wrong after he was one of six players released Friday after completing a three-game tournament series against a team of Canadian university hockey players.
“Oh, 100 per cent,’’ Joseph said when asked if getting cut will give him extra motivation once the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League season resumes following the Christmas break. “I just want to prove them wrong. (Being cut) is just a part of life that I have to erase and keep moving forward.’’
Joseph hinted that a nice long playoff run for the Islanders would be just what the doctor ordered.
“Exactly,’’ he said emphatically.
Joseph was released along with goaltender Matthew Villalta, defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker, Nicolas Beaudin and forwards Liam Foudy and Isaac Ratcliffe.
The news wasn’t all bad for locally-known players. Summerside defenceman Noah Dobson made the team. Islanders head coach Jim Hulton is an assistant coach with the squad.
Joseph’s older brother, Mathieu, played for Team Canada last year.
For Joseph, however, the news wasn’t what he was expecting.
“It was really disappointing. I really expected to (hear) some other news but it’s part of hockey and I can’t (dwell) on it forever. For sure it was something I was really looking forward to and something I wanted to accomplish as a person and as a hockey player.’’
In addition to the recent three-game tournament Joseph also wore the Team Canada logo at camp this past summer. Even though he was ultimately cut, Joseph is happy he was a part of it.
“Obviously, there are a lot of good players around the world. You start with so many and you end up being (one of the) 22 best players to go to the world juniors. It was a great experience and I feel like it was a process . . . that I’m proud that I accomplished.’’
Joseph said Team Canada’s management didn’t provide him with any real feedback on things he can do to improve his game.
“It was just (they were) happy with the way I played. I don’t think it was that somebody was better than me. I think it was just other needs (for the team). They didn’t really give me any reason why, they just picked their team.’’
The one positive Joseph is taking from being cut is that he will now be able to spend the holidays with family and friends.
“I was able to see my parents and my family. There is always a positive in life.’’
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