The Charlottetown Islanders are a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They are members of the Maritimes Division, and play their home games at the Eastlink Centre.
| Charlottetown Islanders Islanders de Charlottetown | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island |
| League | Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League |
| Division | Maritimes |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Home arena | Eastlink Centre |
| Colours | Black, harvest gold and white |
| General manager | Jim Hulton |
| Head coach | Jim Hulton |
| Website | charlottetownislanders.com |
| Franchise history | |
| 1999–2003 | Montreal Rocket |
| 2003–2013 | P.E.I. Rocket |
| 2013–present | Charlottetown Islanders |
History
edit
Originally located in Montreal, and called the Montreal Rocket, the team relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in 2003. They were named after Maurice "Rocket" Richard of the Montreal Canadiens, and their team crest depicted his number, 9.[1]
In their first season on PEI, the Rocket won 40 regular season games and made it to the second round of the playoffs, where they lost in six games to the Moncton Wildcats led by future NHL star goaltender Corey Crawford.[2]
Beginning in the 2013–14 season, the Rocket rebranded as the Charlottetown Islanders.[3]
President and governor Serge Savard Jr. confirmed on April 17, 2013, that the QMJHL had contacted the Rocket two days earlier with a proposal to buy the struggling franchise. Savard said he intended to accept the offer, somewhere in the area of $3.5 million, unless he was able to find a local buyer or buyers for the team. Savard said league commissioner Gilles Corteau had given him until April 26 to secure a buyer. One interested group intended to relocate the team to Sorel, Quebec.[4]
However, an ownership group led by Geoff Boyle agreed to purchase the team, ensuring its future in Charlottetown for 2013–14 and beyond. The new Islanders logo and colour scheme was unveiled on May 27.[5]
In the 2014–15 season, for the first time since the franchise's inaugural season as the PEI Rocket, the Charlottetown Islanders advanced to the second round of the QMJHL playoffs, after defeating the Sherbrooke Phoenix 4–2 in the first round. However, in the second round, they were eliminated by the Quebec Remparts 4–0.[6]
On June 29, 2015, the Islanders hired Jim Hulton as head coach after Gordie Dwyer was relieved of his duties as head coach.[7]
On March 29, 2016, the Islanders set a new QMJHL record for most shots on goal in one period of a playoff game with 32. The previous record was 30, shared by four teams.[8]
On June 4, 2016, the Charlottetown Islanders hosted the 2016 QMJHL Draft, a first for the franchise since 2006 when they were known as the P.E.I. Rocket.[9]
On April 13, 2017, the Islanders advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, eliminating the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles four games to none in the second round.[2]
On May 30, 2022, the Islanders won their third round series to make their first-ever appearance in the President's Cup Final. This also marked the fourth time in the previous five playoffs that the team reached the third round.[10]
Players
editRetired numbers
edit- 9 Maurice Richard (Montreal Rocket, DNP)
- 22 Pierre-André Bureau (P.E.I. Rocket, 2000–2005)[11]
NHL alumni
editThe following players have played in at least one National Hockey League (NHL) game as of the 2023-24 season:[12][13][14]
- Nikita Alexandrov
- Antoine Bibeau
- Samuel Blais
- Guillaume Brisebois
- Filip Chlapik
- Ryane Clowe
- Lukas Cormier
- Josh Currie
- Hunter Drew
- Marc-André Gragnani
- Ryan Graves
- Ross Johnston
- Pierre-Olivier Joseph
- Maxime Lagace
- David Laliberté
- Maxim Lapierre
- Pascal Leclaire
- Nicolas Meloche
- Andrej Nestrasil
- Louis Robitaille
- Daniel Sprong
NHL first round draft picks
editList of first round selections in the NHL Entry Draft:[15]
| Year | # | Player | Nationality | NHL team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 23 | Pierre-Olivier Joseph (D) |  Canada | Arizona Coyotes |
Season-by-season results
editRegular season
editOTL = Overtime loss
SL = Shootout loss
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SL | Points | Pct % | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–00 | 72 | 29 | 32 | 6 | 5 | - | 69 | 0.479 | 276 | 313 | 3rd West |
| 2000–01 | 72 | 24 | 35 | 7 | 6 | - | 61 | 0.424 | 249 | 310 | 4th West |
| 2001–02 | 72 | 23 | 39 | 8 | 2 | - | 56 | 0.389 | 198 | 243 | 4th West |
| 2002–03 | 72 | 32 | 27 | 5 | 8 | - | 77 | 0.535 | 256 | 261 | 3rd West |
| 2003–04 | 70 | 40 | 19 | 5 | 6 | - | 91 | 0.607 | 251 | 189 | 3rd Atlantic |
| 2004–05 | 70 | 24 | 39 | 7 | 0 | - | 55 | 0.393 | 198 | 260 | 4th Atlantic |
| 2005–06 | 70 | 25 | 38 | - | 4 | 3 | 57 | 0.373 | 221 | 304 | 7th East |
| 2006–07 | 70 | 36 | 28 | - | 2 | 6 | 80 | 0.514 | 278 | 250 | 4th East |
| 2007–08 | 70 | 30 | 36 | - | 2 | 2 | 64 | 0.425 | 243 | 287 | 7th East |
| 2008–09 | 68 | 26 | 32 | - | 5 | 5 | 62 | 0.382 | 229 | 243 | 6th Atlantic |
| 2009–10 | 68 | 35 | 25 | - | 2 | 6 | 78 | 0.515 | 215 | 224 | 4th Atlantic |
| 2010–11 | 68 | 33 | 26 | - | 3 | 6 | 75 | 0.551 | 217 | 220 | 4th Maritimes |
| 2011–12 | 68 | 19 | 43 | - | 2 | 4 | 44 | 0.324 | 205 | 320 | 6th Maritimes |
| 2012–13 | 68 | 41 | 23 | - | 3 | 1 | 86 | 0.632 | 262 | 229 | 3rd Telus Maritimes |
| 2013–14 | 68 | 21 | 39 | - | 3 | 5 | 50 | 0.368 | 186 | 256 | Tied 4th Telus Maritimes |
| 2014–15 | 68 | 35 | 28 | - | 1 | 4 | 75 | 0.551 | 226 | 243 | 2nd Maritimes |
| 2015–16 | 68 | 35 | 26 | - | 5 | 2 | 77 | 0.566 | 227 | 232 | 4th Maritimes |
| 2016–17 | 68 | 46 | 18 | - | 4 | 0 | 96 | 0.706 | 303 | 214 | 2nd Maritimes |
| 2017–18 | 68 | 37 | 24 | - | 7 | 0 | 81 | 0.596 | 209 | 219 | 3rd Maritimes |
| 2018–19 | 68 | 40 | 21 | - | 4 | 3 | 87 | 0.640 | 233 | 211 | 2nd Maritimes |
| 2019–20 | 64 | 33 | 26 | - | 5 | 0 | 71 | 0.555 | 197 | 205 | 3rd Maritimes |
| 2020–21 | 40 | 35 | 5 | - | 0 | 0 | 70 | 0.875 | 197 | 89 | 1st Maritimes |
| 2021–22 | 68 | 48 | 13 | - | 7 | 0 | 103 | 0.757 | 283 | 179 | 1st Maritimes |
| 2022–23 | 68 | 26 | 33 | - | 6 | 3 | 61 | 0.449 | 189 | 267 | 4th Maritimes |
| 2023–24 | 68 | 26 | 34 | - | 6 | 2 | 60 | 0.441 | 208 | 267 | 5th Maritimes |
Playoffs
edit| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–00 | L, 1–4, Drummondville | |||
| 2000–01 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2001–02 | L, 3–4, Hull | |||
| 2002–03 | L, 3–4, Sherbrooke | |||
| 2003–04 | W, 4–1, Quebec | L, 2–4, Moncton | ||
| 2004–05 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2005–06 | L, 2–4, Acadie–Bathurst | |||
| 2006–07 | L, 3–4, Acadie–Bathurst | |||
| 2007–08 | L, 0–4, Saint John | |||
| 2008–09 | L, 1–4, Moncton | |||
| 2009–10 | L, 1–4, Saint John | |||
| 2010–11 | L, 1–4, Shawinigan | |||
| 2011–12 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2012–13 | L, 2–4, Val-d'Or | |||
| 2013–14 | L, 0–4, Halifax | |||
| 2014–15 | W, 4–2, Sherbrooke | L, 0–4, Quebec | ||
| 2015–16 | W, 4–2, Rimouski | L, 2–4, Shawinigan | ||
| 2016–17 | W, 4–0, Baie-Comeau | W, 4–0, Cape Breton | L, 1–4, Blainville-Boisbriand | |
| 2017–18 | W, 4–3, Quebec | W, 4–0, Halifax | L, 3–4, Blainville-Boisbriand | |
| 2018–19 | L, 2–4, Cape Breton | |||
| 2019–20 | QMJHL playoffs cancelled due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2020–21 | Bye | W, 3–0, Acadie–Bathurst | L, 2–3, Victoriaville | |
| 2021–22 | W, 3–0, Moncton | W, 3–0, Acadie–Bathurst | W, 3–1, Sherbrooke | L, 1–4, Shawinigan |
| 2022–23 | L, 0–4, Quebec | |||
| 2023–24 | L, 0–4, Baie-Comeau | |||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Charron, Cam (August 22, 2012). "Prince Edward Island hockey team no longer named after Montreal legend". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "A third round we have been waiting for". Canadian Hockey League. Charlottetown Islanders. April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "New Era Begins with Charlottetown Islanders". Canadian Hockey League. May 27, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Reid, Charles (April 17, 2013). "Savard family hangs for sale sign on P.E.I. Rocket". Cape Breton Post. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "Charlottetown Islanders unveiled at news conference". Pictou County News. May 27, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "Remparts sweep series". Canadian Hockey League. Charlottetown Islanders. April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Hulton named as Head Coach". Canadian Hockey League. Charlottetown Islanders. June 29, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Charlottetown Islanders break QMJHL record for shots in a period with 32". Imgur. March 30, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Malloy, Jason (June 5, 2015). "UPDATE: Charlottetown to host 2016 QMJHL Draft". Saltwire. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Isles make franchise history as they secure their spot in the President Cup Finals". Canadian Hockey League. Charlottetown Islanders. May 31, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "The Rocket retire Pierre-André Bureau's #22". CHL.ca. February 8, 2009. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Montreal Rocket (QMJHL) Alumni". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Prince Edward Island Rocket (QMJHL) Alumni". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL) Alumni". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Charlottetown Islanders Drafted Player History". Hockey-Reference. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Montreal Rocket Statistics and History [QMJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Prince Edward Island Rocket Statistics and History [QMJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Charlottetown Islanders Statistics and History [QMJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
External links
edit- Official website
- QMJHL Arena Guide profile Archived 2006-07-20 at the Wayback Machine