P.E.I. hockey players sign with Senators

Currie, Mackinnon thrilled with the opportunity to play closer to home

Two Prince Edward Islanders are thrilled to be returning to the professional hockey ranks in Canada after signing with the Ottawa Senators’ organization.

Centre Josh Currie of Sherwood signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Senators while defenceman Ryan Mackinnon of Summerside signed a one-year, one-way American Hockey League (AHL) deal with the Senators’ top affiliate in Belleville, Ont.

“When you get another chance in North America and to have that team in Canada is pretty special,” said Mackinnon, 28. “I’ve never played in Canada in my professional career, so it’s exciting playing closer to home.

“With Josh, we skate together, train together, and I’ve known him my whole life. It’s kind of crazy two people from P.E.I. playing with the same pro organization.”

The five-foot-11 Currie, who weighs 190 pounds, played the past two years in Russa with the KHL’S Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Currie said the opportunity with the Senators provided a perfect fit for himself and his family.

“One of the big factors, my wife (Cierra) and I are expecting our first child the end of July,” said Currie. “It’s a lot easier for family than going anywhere overseas, not just the KHL.

“Being 30, I feel I want to give it one more shot of trying to play in the NHL. Give it a year and take it from there.”

Currie scored 13 goals and registered 38 points in 96 games with 13 goals and 38 points in 96 games in the KHL.

Currie said he enjoyed his time and benefited from playing in Russia.

“It was a cool experience to be able to go see that part of the world and that culture,” said Currie, who played eight years of pro hockey in North America before going to Russia. “Without hockey, I definitely would not have gone to visit over there.

“I was there to play hockey and the hockey is high quality, the league is really respectable. … It’s definitely far from home, and after two years I felt it was time to come back.”

MACKINNON

Mackinnon’s goal going into the 2023-24 season is to become a regular on the AHL Senators’ blue-line and make an impact any way possible.

“Now I have a little more experience under my belt, and I know what I can bring to the table,” said the six-foot, 205-pound Mackinnon, who shoots right. “Belleville obviously liked what they saw in me, and it seemed like a great fit. It was a no-brainer for me.”

Mackinnon played last season with the AHL’S Bridgeport Islanders and the Worcester Railers of the ECHL.

Mackinnon, who played 20 games with Bridgeport, was named a finalist for the IOA/ American Specialty AHL Man of the Year award for contributions in the community.

This is not the first time Mackinnon and Currie have

been through free agency. Mackinnon noted there are a lot of unknowns.

“I’ve been through it before when you might not get that call until August or later in July,” he said. “To have an offer and have the team want you on the first day of free agency, speaks volumes of the team that wants you.

“You obviously go play where you are wanted. I was thrilled, No. 1, to have a job and, No. 2., to have a team like my game and want me. It was pretty much automatic.”

GEOGRAPHY

Currie and Mackinnon are both excited to know they will be playing close to home this season in Ontario.

“We can drive to Ottawa and Belleville, which is convenient for us,” said Currie. “It’s nice to be close to family.

“P.E.I. isn’t a long way for friends and relatives to travel if they want to visit. That definitely made going to Ottawa a lot more beneficial.”