CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A new era begins tonight as the rebranded Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Knights play their first game of the regular season.
The Knights, previously known as the Pride, host the rival Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild at 7 p.m. at MacLauchlan Arena to open the New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Major Midget Hockey League regular season.
“It’s a new beginning that we’re very excited about,” head coach Luke Beck said Thursday.
It will be a new-looking team that hits the ice for the home side and not just in terms of the uniforms they are wearing. Max Chisholm is the lone holdover from a team that went 2-1-1-0 as the host team at last year’s Atlantic championship.
“We’re excited with our team,” Beck said. “They want to compete every night. That’s been quite evident in our practices over the last couple of weeks. Guys are hungry to make their impact on our team and in the league right away.”
With so many new faces, it will take some time for the leadership group to be announced, but Beck likes the makeup inside the Knights dressing room.
“If you look up and down our lineup, you’ll see guys that were captains on their various teams last year or in the past,” he said. “We feel we have guys that are ready to compete at this level. We’re not worried about the age of our group. We’re (focused on) building our identity, building our structure and giving the kids an opportunity to show who they are as players and not worry about any of the outside noise.”
There’s a strong influence from last year’s Central Attack bantam team that had strong showings throughout the region. Seven of the Attack are on this year’s Knights squad.
Beck said they are fortunate to have strong ownership in Jamie Blanchard, who has brought together a respected group of board members to support the franchise.
Roster
A look at the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Knights roster for the 2019-20 major midget hockey season.
Name Birth year Last Year’s Team
Goalies
Jack Howatt 2004 Central Attack (bantam)
Aiden Williams 2003 Western Regals (midget AAA)
Defencemen
Landon MacDonald 2004 Central Attack (bantam)
Colby MacDonald 2003 The Mount Academy
Will Smith 2004 Ontario Hockey Academy
Nick Reeves 2004 Central Attack (midget)
Marshall Gallant 2004 The Mount Academy
Will Morrison 2004 Central Attack (bantam)
Gage Taylor 2003 Newbridge Academy
Forwards
Bates Ling 2004 Central Attack (bantam)
Josh Lund 2003 Central Attack (midget)
Simon Hughes 2004 Kensington Wild (major midget)
Max Sentner 2005 Central Attack (bantam)
Cole McKeigan 2003 Pownal Red Devils
Jesse Blanchard 2004 The Mount Academy
Avery Brown 2004 Eastern Express
John MacKinnon 2003 Central Attack (midget)
Nolan Stewart 2004 Eastern Express
Max Chisholm 2003 Charlottetown Pride (major midget)
Colby Huggan 2004 Central Attack (bantam)
Gabe Hartlen 2003 Kings County Kings
Kal White 2004 Central Attack (bantam)
Head coach Luke Beck said: “They’re hungry. They’re ready to learn. They’re eager.”
Coaching staff
Head coach – Luke Beck.
Assistant coaches – Jason (Frenchie) MacDonald, Ben MacDonald and Parker Ronahan.
Goalie coach – Chris Gallant.
