CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Members of the Charlottetown Islanders had a chance to exhale as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league trade deadline passed Monday afternoon.
The squad’s management team talked to other clubs about numerous possibilities but didn’t complete a trade on Monday.
Thomas Casey said the deadline creates tension in the dressing room, while Cedric Desruisseaux said there are many rumours out there and players wonder where they will finish the season.
They are both 19-year-old players who could be valuable assets to teams looking to add offence and experience for a deep playoff run.
“Everyone is pretty anxious,” Casey said. “Now that we know this is our group, it’s time to jell together and go into the playoffs with a good mindset.”
“We have a good group of guys, and I think that’s a reason why we didn't change a lot,” Desruisseaux said. “The coaching staff is trusting the team we have.”
Head coach and general manager Jim Hulton said a sense of relief was evident in the room Tuesday morning as players arrived to meet for the first time since the deadline passed. He said it is essential they quickly move forward and prepare for the second half.
“Now we have to get to work on reinforcing (and) re-establishing the identity we’re going to have to have to be successful in the playoffs, and that starts now,” he said before practice.
“It has nothing to do with letting off the throttle. In fact, it’s the opposite – it’s about pushing the pedal a little bit more.”
Captain Brendon Clavelle said he sees similarities between this year’s club and the 2018 team that didn't make a big splash during the trade period but reached Game 7 of the semifinal.
“I can’t stop thinking of two years ago,” he said. “If we can be the hardest-working team on the ice and a pain to play against, you never know how far we can go.”
The Christmas break provided an opportunity for players to reset.
“This second half is all about time to shine,” Hulton said. “If you had a good first half, build on it and improve. If you weren’t happy with your first half . . . wipe the board clean and start fresh.”
Desruisseaux said he didn't have the first half he had hoped for after being acquired from Drummondville at the draft in June to provide offence and experience. He had four goals and 15 assists in 32 games before Christmas but has two goals and three assists in five games since the break.
“I have to prove it was a good addition they (made) in the summer and prove I can play in this league next year,” said Desruisseaux, who will be fighting for an overage spot in 2020-21.
The Islanders, who have dealt with injuries most of the season, will soon have a full lineup together. Import forwards Nikita Alexandrov and Gaetan Jobin were expected to arrive in Charlottetown late Tuesday night after playing in the world junior tournament in the Czech Republic. Both could play tonight when the Islanders (22-14-5-0) host the Acadie-Bathurst Titan (6-25-3-4) at 7 p.m. at Eastlink Centre.
“Those guys are coming in hot after two great tournaments,” Clavelle said. “They had amazing tournaments, and I think it’s just going to help us. It’s almost (like) acquisitions at the deadline.”
Charlottetown will be without at least two forwards tonight with overage forward Ethan Crossman serving the final game of his two-game suspension and Drew Johnston expected to be out seven to 10 days with an upper-body injury.
Despite not making a move at the deadline, the Islanders believe in their ability to succeed.
“Nobody is really looking at us as a contender, and I think that’s why people should be the most scared of us,” said Matthew Welsh, a fifth-year goalie with the Islanders.
“We have a lot of really strong players on this team and we have great coaching and I think any team should be scared to play us in the playoffs.”
Related links:
• Charlottetown Islanders stand pat on QMJHL trade deadline day
• Islanders add Chris McQuaid, Ethan Crossman, Drew Elliott, plus draft picks
• Charlottetown’s Chris McQuaid excited to play for hometown Islanders
• Charlottetown Islanders trade Gursoy to Halifax Mooseheads
Upcoming games
A look at the Charlottetown Islanders games this month.
Tonight
Acadie-Bathurst at Charlottetown, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Chicoutimi at Charlottetown, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Charlottetown at Halifax, 3 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 17
Cape Breton at Charlottetown, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18
Cape Breton at Charlottetown, 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 24
Charlottetown at Saint John, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25
Blainville-Boisbriand at Charlottetown, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Moncton at Charlottetown, 3 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Shawinigan at Charlottetown, 7 p.m.
