SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Dylan Riley and Jacob Hickey both admit they will experience a different feeling when they step onto the ice to face the Pictou County Crushers on Wednesday.
The recently-acquired 20-year-old Summerside D. Alex MacDonald Ford Western Capitals forwards will face their former team for the first time. The MHL (Maritime Junior Hockey League) game at Eastlink Arena will start at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be different for sure, but I’m excited to play them,” said Hickey, who spent 3 ½ years with the New Glasgow, N.S.-based Crushers. “It’s going to be weird being on the other bench, but I’m sure as the game goes on we’ll get used to it. Hopefully, we can put some points up as well.”
Riley agrees that once the first couple of shifts are out of the way it will be business as usual.
“I’m definitely excited to play them,” he added. “It will be fun in warm-up talking to guys on the other side of the red-line.”
Riley, who recorded 159 points in 136 regular-season and playoff games over three years with the Crushers, asked for a trade to a contending team leading up to the Jan. 10 roster deadline.
“For me, this is going to be my last year of junior hockey and I want to have a long playoff run,” said Riley, who is from Windsor, N.S. “I’m happy I ended up in Summerside.”
As talks between the Caps and Crushers progressed, the deal grew to also include Hickey, who calls Hammonds Plains, N.S., home. The Caps sent forwards Calum MacPherson and Sam Meisenheimer to Pictou County in the trade.
“I actually gave (Riley) the call we were both going (to Summerside),” said Hickey, who registered 140 points in 153 regular-season and post-season games with the Crushers. “We were both pretty excited when we knew, but our girlfriends (who attend St. Francis Xavier in Antigonish, N.S.) not so much!”
Click here for story on Western Capitals acquiring Dylan Riley and Jacob Hickey:
Fond memories
Riley and Hickey have nothing but fond memories of their time with the Crushers.
“All three years have been pretty special there,” said Hickey, who has one goal in six games with the Caps.
Although they have been with the Caps for less than a month, Riley and Hickey like what they see with their new team.
“It’s a great group of guys, a great coaching staff and I’m still adjusting to the systems obviously,” said Riley, who has two goals and an assist since joining the Caps. “I’ve enjoyed my time here so far, and excited about what the future holds.”
Although Hickey and Riley are still adjusting to their new team, how would both players describe their style of play for fans who have yet to see them play?
Riley: “I have good vision on the ice, see the plays coming, have a good nose around the net and I try to put up some points.”
Hickey: “I have a lot of speed and I think I can bring some offence to the team. I’ve been killing penalties here, too. I’ve been more of a 200-foot player with this team than I have been the last couple of years. I enjoy playing that role.”
[email protected]
Twitter.com/JpsportsJason
https://www.facebook.com/jason.simmonds.180
Game Day
Western Capitals’ game day notebook:The Capitals host the Pictou County Crushers at Eastlink Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The Capitals sit atop the MHL’s (Maritime Junior Hockey League) overall standings with a record of 28-5-1 (won-lost-overtime losses). The Caps, who have three games-in-hand are one point ahead of the Eastlink South Division-leading Yarmouth Mariners (26-7-3).
The Crushers, who have turned things around after a slow start, bring a 15-14-6 record to Summerside. Pictou County, which currently holds down the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastlink South Division, is 8-1-1 in its last 10 games.
The Capitals, who have not played since Jan. 19, are 9-0-1 in their last 10 games.
Capitals forward Brodie MacArthur holds a four-point lead over teammate TJ Shea in the league scoring race. MacArthur has 67 points – 29 goals and 38 assists – in 34 games while Shea sits at 63 points (25-38) in 32 games. Shea has missed the last two games with an injury.
Pictou County forward Evan Gallant of Abram-Village has recorded nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 34 regular-season games in his rookie campaign in the MHL. Gallant played the three previous seasons with the Kensington Wild major midget program.
In the lone meeting between the two teams this season, the Caps defeated the Crushers 7-4 in New Glasgow during the MHL Showcase in October.