Catching Up With The Islanders
By Ryan MacEachran
The 2017-2018 QMJHL season is just around the corner and with training camp well on its way, the
Islanders team is beginning to take shape.
One player who has been taking advantage of every bit of camp and pre-season competition is promising rookie Nikita Alexandrov. The 50th overall pick in June’s 2017 CHL Import Draft is new to the North American style of hockey and has been growing more and more comfortable as camp progresses.
“Camp was good,” Alexandrov said. “I feel more comfortable with the system, with the team and with the style of hockey played in Canada.”
Training camp can be a challenging time for a team but veteran goaltender Matthew Welsh has been impressed with the improvement of his team so far.
“Our team has made big strides since day one of training camp,” Welsh said. “(Coach) has worked us really hard so far, preparing us for the regular season.”
Welsh, who is a native of Halifax, NS, is entering his third season as the Islanders net-minder and is feeling confident looking ahead to the upcoming season.
“We’re improving every day and I’m excited to see the final product on opening night.”
The Islanders finished last season with the second best record in the QMJHL, ending the season with 48 wins and 96 team points. The Charlottetown Islanders will look to build off of their past success and improve as a unit this upcoming season.
The Islanders open their regular season at home against the Moncton Wildcats on September 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the EastLink Centre in Charlottetown.