O'LEARY, P.E.I. — It’s a game that carries extra significance for Aiden Williams.
The 16-year-old son of Billy and Lisa Williams of Springhill, just outside Tyne Valley, will get the start in goal for the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Knights against the Northern Moose in a neutral-site New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Major Midget Hockey League game at the O’Leary Community Sports Centre on Friday. The opening faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Knights have announced the team will be making a donation from game proceeds to the rebuilding of the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre, which was destroyed by fire on Dec. 29.
“I think there are a lot of the teams that used to play in Tyne Valley that are in other rinks now that are going to be there,” said Williams, who has a 2-6-2 (won-lost-overtime losses) record along with a 3.23 goals-against average and. 905 save percentage in 12 regular-season games with the Knights. “There should be lots of little kids there.”
Williams, Knights defenceman Colby MacDonald of Summerside and forward Frederick Morency of Abram-Village are no strangers to O’Leary. They previously played there with the Prince County Warriors of the P.E.I. Major Bantam AAA Hockey League.
“It will be good to get back to the old barn and see some old friends and the rink staff up there and raise some money for Tyne Valley,” said MacDonald, 16.
Williams, who attends Westisle Composite High School, said he’s looking forward to having the opportunity to play in front of family and friends.
“I've already been talking to a couple of friends from up here and they said they are planning to go,” said Williams. “It should be a big turnout and I’m pretty excited about that.”
Williams began his hockey career at the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre and admits “it’s pretty special for me” to have the opportunity to play in a game that will raise funds for a new facility. Asked if he has any special memories from the Tyne Valley rink, Williams said he recalls being presented with a most valuable player award.
“Back in novice they used to have a most valuable player trophy,” said Williams, who helped the Alberton-based Western Regals win the 2018-19 P.E.I. Midget AAA Hockey League championship. “It is pretty special because my father and two brothers’ (Brandon and Matthew) names were also on the trophy and it burned in the fire.”
Close games
Parity is one word that can be used to describe the Knights and Bathurst, N.B.-based Moose. Five of the six regular-season meetings this year have been decided by one goal, with two requiring overtime and another game was decided when the Knights scored the tie-breaking goal with one second remaining in regulation time.
“It’s pretty tight between us and Northern,” said Morency, 16. “It’s going to be a good game.”
MacDonald, who has recorded two goals, three assists, five points and 49 penalty minutes in 28 regular-season games, expects a “back-and-forth hockey game with physicality” between two hard-working teams.
For fans who may not be familiar with major midget hockey, Williams explained what they can expect to see: “It's fast-paced hockey. It can be rough sometimes and there are some big boys on our team that can throw the odd hit.
“We have some skilled guys on our team as well. It should be fun.”
Morency, who has one assist in 23 regular-season games after making the jump to major midget from Evangeline’s midget AA team last season, is looking forward to returning to O’Leary’s ice.
“I am pretty excited because it’s been a while since I played there,” he added.
Fond memories
Williams, MacDonald and Morency all have fond memories of their last season playing in O’Leary as the Warriors defeated the Charlottetown-based Central Attack in a thrilling five-game championship series that went the limit.
“I remember us getting good crowds up there and there are a lot of people there who like hockey,” said MacDonald, who played with the Mount Saints’ under-16 team last season. “I’m looking forward to getting back skating on the ice. It’s good ice.”
The Knights are back in Prince County on Saturday to visit the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild at Credit Union Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Game Day
- A look at Friday’s N.B./P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League game:
- Who – Charlottetown Knights vs. Northern Moose.
- What – New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League.
- When – Friday, Jan. 31.
- Where – O’Leary Community Sports Centre.
- Why – Knights will be making a donation from proceeds to the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre rebuild.
- Records
- Knights – 8-16-4 (won-lost-overtime losses).
- Moose – 11-13-4.
- Previous Meetings
- Sept 21 – Moose 3 at Knights 2.
- Oct. 11 – Knights 1 at Moose 2 (OT).
- Nov. 10 – Knights 2 at Moose 5.
- Dec. 13 – Moose 3 at Knights 2.
- Dec. 29 – Knights 3 at Moose 2.
- Jan. 4 – Knights 4 at Moose 3 (SO).
Jason.simmonds@journalpioneer.com
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